Emanuel Chris Welch

Emanuel Christopher Welch[1] (born February 6, 1971), known as Chris Welch, is a lawyer and politician who is serving as the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. A Democrat, he currently represents the 7th district and practices law as an attorney.[2] The 7th district includes all or parts of River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview, Bellwood, Hillside, Westchester, La Grange Park and Berkeley.[3]

Emanuel Chris Welch
70th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 13, 2021
GovernorJ. B. Pritzker
Preceded byMichael Madigan
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 7th district
Assumed office
January 2013
Preceded byCory Foster
Personal details
Born
Emanuel Christopher Welch

(1971-02-06) February 6, 1971
Political partyDemocratic
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
John Marshall Law School (JD)

He was elected the 70th Speaker of the Illinois House on January 13, 2021, succeeding the long-time Speaker, Michael Madigan.

Early life and education

Welch graduated from Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois in 1989.[4] He attended Northwestern University, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1993. Welch then received his J.D. degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1997.[5]

Career

A member of the Illinois bar in private practice, Welch is a partner at Ancel Glink.[6] He also served as President of the Proviso Township Board of Education, District 209.[7]

In 2018, Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker appointed Welch to the Educational Success transition committee, which is responsible for state education policy.[8]

Welch is considered an ally of Michael Madigan.[9]

On January 13, 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives elected Welch its speaker.[9] He is the first African American to serve as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.[9] He is the first person other than Michael Madigan to lead the Democratic caucus in the Illinois House since 1983.

Electoral history
Illinois 7th State House District Democratic Primary, 2012[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch 4,670 39.10
Democratic Rory Hoskins 4,634 38.79
Democratic Beyonca Johnson 1,634 13.68
Democratic Princess C. Dempsey 1,007 8.43
Total votes 11,945 100.0
Illinois 7th State House District General Election, 2012[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch 35,505 100.0
Total votes 35,505 100.0
Illinois 7th State House District General Election, 2014[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 26,839 100.0
Total votes 26,839 100.0
Illinois 7th State House District Democratic Primary, 2016[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 18,117 65.55
Democratic Chris Harris 9,521 34.45
Total votes 27,638 100.0
Illinois 7th State House District General Election, 2016[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 39,914 100.0
Total votes 39,914 100.0
Illinois 7th State House District General Election, 2018[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 35,678 100.0
Total votes 35,678 100.0

References
  1. Village of Maywood Illinois. "Elected Officials".
  2. Hollman, John W., ed. (December 4, 2012). "97th General Assembly House of Representatives Transcription Debate 160th Legislative Day" (PDF). Illinois House of Representatives. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  3. "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 4" (PDF). May 18, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  4. https://www.emanuelchriswelch.com/meet-chris
  5. "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". www.ilga.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
  6. "Our People". Ancel Glink. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  7. "Illinois General Assembly Profile". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  8. Miller, Rich (November 27, 2018). "Pritzker transition announces Educational Success Committee". Capitol Fax. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  9. Crepeau, Rick Pearson, Dan Petrella, Jamie Munks, Ray Long, Megan (13 January 2021). "Michael Madigan's decadeslong grip on Illinois ends as House Democrats make Rep. Emanuel 'Chris' Welch state's first Black speaker". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune.
  10. "Election Results 2012 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  11. "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  12. "Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  13. "Election Results 2016 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  14. "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  15. "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
Mike Madigan		 Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
2021–present		 Incumbent


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