Buckner, House Speaker Welch Kick off Black History Month with Community Visit on Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, joined Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch on Wednesday for a series of community visits across Chicago’s South Side, engaging directly with students, small business owners, and seniors to highlight Black history, local entrepreneurship, and the growing affordability challenges facing Illinois families.

The visit marked the start of Black History Month and began at the Chicago Prairie Tennis Club, the oldest Black-owned tennis club in the country. From there, Buckner and Welch met with constituents at a neighborhood barbershop, participated in a roundtable discussion with local business owners, and concluded the morning with a town hall focused on cost-of-living concerns with local seniors.

“Black history isn’t just something we reflect on once a year, it’s alive in our neighborhoods, our small businesses, and the people who have built community institutions that still serve us today,” Buckner said. “Kicking this community visit off at Chicago Prairie Tennis Club was a reminder of the resilience, excellence, and leadership that exists right here on the South Side.”

“These conversations help ground our work in Springfield,” Buckner said. “From housing and healthcare to everyday expenses, it’s critical that we listen and respond with policies that make life more affordable and spending time in the community helps ensure our priorities reflect the real needs of the people we serve.”