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Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
As you know, I have never been a big fan of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, or, for that matter, many of the most recent governors we have had, including Bruce Rauner, Pat Quinn, or “Mr. Celebrity” Governor, Rod Blagojevich. (Previously published on Ray Hanania’s Substack account)
By Ray Hanania
As you know, I have never been a big fan of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, or, for that matter, many of the most recent governors we have had, including Bruce Rauner, Pat Quinn, or “Mr. Celebrity” Governor, Rod Blagojevich.
They have all let the taxpayers of Illinois down. Illinois has ranked among the worst states in the nation, but all of the governors I named have spent all their time focusing on improving life for themselves.
It was all about them.
But every once in a while in Illinois politics, we come across someone with great promise, talent, and a true focus on what’s important: You, the taxpayer.
That person, in my opinion, having covered Chicagoland and Illinois politics for the past 50 years, is Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
I don’t like to call Welch a “politician.” He really is a “representative,” someone who is a “public servant.”
Pritzker is a politician. He has the ambition to serve himself — although in all honesty, I have to note that in recent months, he has hired a better speech writer, delivering some inspiring speeches regarding President Trump’s plans to address the crime that continues to plague Chicago.
But Welch doesn’t need speech writers. His vision comes from his heart, and his focus is on the needs of the communities in Illinois.
It’s not just my opinion. In every conversation I have about Illinois government, community issues that have to do with the state, and the integrity of elected officials, Welch always surfaces among the most admired and respected. I have never met a more genuine elected official who has the opportunity to bring real, positive change to the taxpayers of Illinois.
Sure, as the Speaker of the Illinois House since 2021, he has to deal with the same coterie of some of the unavoidable fleas that infest state politics, from some self-serving lobbyists and lawyers, to politicians who built their power by exploiting their offices, giving themselves and their families huge salaries, benefits, and multiple seats at the public trough.
There is actually reserved seating at Illinois’ “public trough.”
That’s Illinois. A great state plagued by selfishness. But that is all offset by some principled public servants who strive to bring change in a substantive and meaningful way, like Welch.
Welch was elected to the legislature in 2013. He is the state’s first African American Speaker, and he succeeds Michael J. Madigan, one of the nation’s most brilliant master public servants.
Despite Madigan’s personal turmoil, being targeted by an overly aggressive justice department that won some minor felony convictions but lost the most significant charges, including the ridiculous assertion of “racketeering,” Madigan did more for Illinois taxpayers than any other predecessor.
I was introduced to Madigan in 1977 personally by then Chicago Mayor Michael A. Bilandic, the “Gentleman Mayor,” who told me in his introduction that “This legislator, Mike Madigan, is destined to do great things for our state.”
And Madigan did great things for Illinois. But when you are at the top — the very top — there are a lot of people who want to tear you down, including some of the “fleas” who don’t feel you have done enough for them.
I pray for Madigan and believe his sentence should be reversed, and that the justice system will act more honestly without the fear of journalistic bullying, misguided public perception, or false spin that “all politicians are bad.” All politicians are not bad. Some are.
If Pritzker does leave Springfield and runs for president, as is believed, I am not sure he can win. But I am sure it will open the gubernatorial seat in Springfield and give Illinois a chance to put someone into that power who is honest, trustworthy, and kind in his demeanor, something you don’t too often find in politics in Chicago, Illinois, or in other offices across the country.
Welch has a commonsense, practical demeanor that Illinois badly needs, that isn’t overshadowed by billions in money that can decide elections over qualifications.
Welch has never done anything for me, and I don’t expect anything. But when I have encountered him, at press conferences or at public appearances, I am constantly reminded by his natural style, his genuine smile, his open disposition, and his encouraging, friendly nature, of what Illinois taxpayers aspire for in true leadership.
His leadership is built on a personal history that is inspiring.
From his official bio: as State Representative, Welch focused on improving classroom education, creating jobs, helping the most vulnerable, and streamlining government. Welch was the Chief Sponsor of several pieces of historic legislation, including the law bringing cursive writing back to our schools, the Historic Illinois Trust Act, the Law-making Illinois a Welcoming State for immigrants, and the Homeless Bill of Rights. Speaker Welch is also a leading voice for adding black and brown people to the boards of publicly held corporations after sponsoring landmark legislation that requires Illinois corporations to annually disclose their board composition.
Welch is a partner in the local government law firm of Ancel Glink, which has re-strengthened in a positive way the image that lawyers have. They represent many important communities like Orland Park, which, under their direction, is on the road to recovery from a nightmare of controversy-plagued, despotic, failed rule by former Mayor Keith Pekau.
Welch is a graduate of Proviso West High School (‘89), Northwestern University (‘93), and The John Marshall Law School (‘97).
Welch is married to ShawnTe and has two children, Tyler and Marley.
Of all the statements on his website, this one is inspirational and should give every citizen in Illinois hope that if he were to become governor, we would quickly see the state rise up from the depths of criticism and negative ranking to lead this country in a strong and more positive manner.
“Speaker Welch believes that he will always find a way, or make one, because he always starts and ends with his WHY!”
The “Land of Lincoln” and its citizens would be fortunate to again have a champion who can lead them through the unavoidable challenges that all Americans face.
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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