SPRINGFIELD, Ill. � State representatives spent Thursday morning recognizing the historic changes in Springfield over the last week. New Speaker Emanuel “Chris� Welch (D-Hillside) introduced his family to House members before many stood to recognize the importance of having a Black leader for the chamber.
The Speaker’s election took place after a busy lame-duck session where the General Assembly passed Black Caucus proposals for education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reform. Rep. La Shawn Ford emphasized the caucus couldn’t get these proposals passed without support from their white colleagues.
“It was white staffers, a white Speaker, a white President of the Senate, white legislators. And not only did we change Illinois, we led the nation in change,� Ford said.
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth said seeing Welch become Speaker was one of the highlights of her career. The Peoria Democrat also thanked all of her colleagues that sponsored the legislative reforms following one of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in decades.
“Hope of our country�
Republicans also acknowledged the new era starting in the House. Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) explained his fourth great-grandfather took office as a Senator for Illinois� first General Assembly.
“He was an enslaver. And the fact that I can stand here today with a Black man, an African-American man as the Speaker of the House of Representatives is something he never could have imagined,� Butler said. “That a few generations removed from I would stand here with you as my Speaker. That really speaks to the sins of our country. But what it really speaks to more than anything else is the hope of our country.�
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has been a frequent critic of Welch. However, he explained Thursday was a new day.
“I just met with Speaker Welch and I said that the reset button has been pushed,� Durkin said to applause.
He explained emotions will still run high between both leaders, but that is human nature. Still, Durkin explained constituents should be proud of work and words coming from lawmakers.
