Rep. Welch Honored with 2018 Friend of Education Award from IEA

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To honor his work in supporting the education of the youth of the State of Illinois, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has been selected to be the recipient of the 2018 Friend of Education Award from the Illinois Education Association-National Education Association.

“Since my extensive time working as the Proviso Township School Board President, I have been a tireless advocate for doing the right things and taking proper steps to bringing top tier public education to children everywhere, regardless of their ZIP code or how much money their parents bring in,” said Welch. “It is truly an honor that an amazing, widespread organization like the IEA-NEA chose me as their Friend of Education award recipient.”

The Illinois Education Association is an association of more than 135,000 members composed of Illinois elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals and others focused on effecting excellence and equity in public education and education policy. Welch has been a strong advocate for school equity, teacher and parental rights and efficient use of appropriated funds to school districts. In 2017, he was a sponsor of a critical measure that appropriates more funds to school districts throughout the state, especially to those who need support the most.

“As a father of two blossoming children, I understand that the steps we take to invest in education today will have a long reaching effect on our society for generations to come,” said Welch. “We’ve taken some strong strides for education and educators in this state, but there is still more to be done. I will continue to be a person that stands with everyday families and makes decisions based on the impacts that those decisions will have on our children’s futures.”

Rep. Welch will be presented with the distinguished award at the annual IEA convention on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Welch represents the 7^th House District, which includes portions of River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview, Bellwood, Berkeley, Hillside and Westchester. For more information, please contact Rep. Welch’s office at 708-450-1000.