Prairie State Wire

Rep. Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) is out as speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, replaced by Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside), WGN reported.

Madigan, the longest-serving leader of a legislative body in U.S. history, could not muster the 60 votes on Jan. 13 to remain House speaker, multiple news outlets reported.

Welch will be Illinois’ first Black speaker of the House, WGN reported.

Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Hillside) | Photo Courtesy of Emanuel Welch's website

“It is time for new leadership in the House,” Madigan said in a statement,  WGN reported. “I wish all the best for Speaker-elect Welch as he begins a historic speakership. It is my sincere hope today that the caucus I leave to him and to all who will serve alongside him is stronger than when I began.”

Madigan, 78, has led the House “almost continuously” since 1983, WGN reported. In 2020, he was linked to an alleged bribery scheme involving ComEd utility company, although he has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing. ComEd acknowledged having a role and paid a $200 million fine. 

In a statement on the state GOP website, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider was critical of Madigan and Welch.

“House Democrats have chosen to go from Mike Madigan, the most corrupt politician in America, to Rep. Chris Welch, a top Madigan lieutenant who has been credibly accused by multiple women in court documents of harassment, assault, and retaliation,” Schneider said.

The allegations Schneider raised did not move forward with charges. 

Schneider described Welch in his statement as “a loyal Madigan ally for years” and a “serial harasser and assaulter of women.”

In 2002, police were called to Welch’s home in west suburban Hillside and were told by an ex-girlfriend who alleged that he assaulted her after calling him a loser, the Chicago Tribune reported. No charges were filed, the story said.

In 2010, another woman accused Welch of sexual harassment and retaliation in a federal lawsuit, the report said. She alleged she lost her job at Proviso High School because she broke up with Welch while he was president of the school board.

In a statement, Welch questioned why these allegations are surfacing now, the Tribune said.

“At no other occasion have these events been brought up and I firmly believe my Republican colleagues are threatened by the potential growth of my profile,” Welch said in a statement, the Tribune reported.

Schneider said that the Republican Party would do its part to make sure voters do not forget Democrats’ decision. 

“This decision is a travesty for the people of Illinois, and we will make sure every voter understands that House Democrats just can’t quit Madigan,” Schneider said in his statement.