By ASN News Editorial Desk
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— The gavel is changing hands in Springfield. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced Thursday he will not seek another term as speaker — ending a fight over whether he still had the support of his own caucus.
The announcement came a day after 26 current and incoming House Democrats signed a letter saying the caucus “needs new leadership.” Welch said in a statement that he will step aside and return to being a regular member when the new session begins in January.
At the center of it is how Welch handled sexual harassment allegations against former state Rep. Harry Benton of Plainfield, who resigned his seat in July. A legislative inspector general report published this summer found Welch’s office knew about an allegation from a former district staffer as early as April 2023 — but did not raise it with Benton until July of that year. The House Democratic campaign arm Welch controls went on to spend $1.4 million supporting Benton’s 2024 reelection bid.
Benton was not stripped of his committee assignments until February, after two more allegations — by a female lobbyist and a female House district director — were deemed founded.
Welch’s own conduct came under scrutiny too. The Chicago Tribune reported his interactions with the staffer who made the first allegation, including heart-eyes reactions to her Instagram photos and an invitation to a bar through an encrypted messaging app. Welch said he was “embarrassed” by the interactions and apologized.
Welch, a Hillside Democrat, has held the speaker’s chair since January 2021, when he succeeded Mike Madigan. He would have needed 60 votes to keep it. Lawmakers are expected to begin choosing his successor as early as January 13.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for who steps up next — and what it means for Chicago in Springfield.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
