Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) has a "phenomenal opportunity" serving as House speaker, Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) said recently.

"I'm hoping he takes advantage of the phenomenal opportunity," McLaughlin told the Lake County Gazette. "I think he has to change the rules of the House and bring forward legislation in an equitable fashion so ideas can freely flow and be discussed by all in the General Assembly."

By becoming the first Black American to hold the speaker position in Illinois and also ending Madigan's tenure, Welch's election is historic.

How Welch leads remains to be seen, but legislative numbers are so far on his side.

"He's still got a supermajority, so I know he doesn't have to, but for him to act would send a really strong signal about him wanting to get Illinois back on the right track," McLaughlin said.

Madigan's nearly 40-year run as speaker ending is likely related to a Justice Department investigation.

Federal authorities implicated the Chicago Democrat as an alleged recipient of a years-long bribery scheme that included ComEd. The state's largest utility conceded to authorities of its involvement and was fined $200 million but did not admit wrongdoing. Madigan has not been charged and denied any wrongdoing.

McLaughlin said he doesn't think Welch's job will be easy.

"I'm concerned he will be pulled in so many different directions and that Madigan may still have a voice that will still be heard and need to be reckoned with."

Welch also has to deal with Republicans who are looking for flaws in the Hillside Democrat while serving as speaker.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider is one of those early critics.

He referred to Welch's close ties to Madigan and accusations in court documents of harassing, assaulting and retaliating against women.

"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," he said, the Illinois GOP reported.

Concerning the allegations raised by Schneider, authorities have not found any wrongdoing. In one instance, charges were never filed. The accusations reported in court documents were dismissed.