Gordon-Booth Named Speaker Pro Tempore

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, was named Speaker Pro Tempore in the leadership of the Illinois House of Representatives, serving alongside newly elected Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the first African American in Illinois history to serve as speaker.

“With the elevation of Chris Welch to Speaker of the House and Kamala Harris as Vice President, we are at a historic moment in our state and our nation,” Gordon-Booth said. “By working cooperatively across levels of government and across the diverse communities of Illinois, we can not only recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but build back a stronger state that is more equal and more just.”

Gordon-Booth is the first African American and first woman to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore and she is the highest-ranking member of the Illinois House from outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. Gordon-Booth has previously served as Deputy Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader.

“My top priority as a member of House leadership is ensuring the voices of the Peoria community are heard loud and clear,” Gordon-Booth said. “As Speaker Pro Tempore, I’ll be in a better position to ensure that our community gets our fair share of COVID-19 recovery funds and that the state budget invests in schools, infrastructure, and job creation for our neighborhoods,” Gordon-Booth said.