Welch Aims to Turn New Page for Illinois as Chair of Key House Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, will push to build a brighter future for working families across the state as the new chairperson of a top house committee tasked with handling a wide portfolio of issues including economic justice, infrastructure investment, government transparency and more.  

“Standing up for working families and working to get Illinois’ finances in better shape have always been top priorities of mine and I look forward to continuing that work as the chairman of the House Executive Committee,” Welch said. “Illinois is ready for a fresh start and I am ready to work with my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, to solve the problems facing our state.”

In recognition of his strong record standing up for the middle class and history of working in a bipartisan manner on key legislation, Welch has been named the chair of the House Executive Committee. The House Executive committee handles various major policy initiatives including legislative priorities of the new administration, budgetary items and various ethics and government reforms.

Additionally, Welch will serve on the Cities & Villages Committee, Counties & Townships Committee, Higher Education Committee and Revenue & Finance Committee.   

“It will require bold action to solve the significant fiscal challenges facing our state,” Welch said. “It’s time for us to ask the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share, so we can ease the tax burden on the middle class and get Illinois and our local units of government on stronger fiscal ground.”