SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To start off the 101st General Assembly next month, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is seeking his constituent’s input on new and creative legislative ideas to sponsor.

“There is a lot to tackle in the upcoming session, and I want to make sure my residents have a chance to tell me what’s on their minds,” said Welch. “Community input is vital to democracy, and it is important that I make myself accessible to my constituents to listen to their thoughts on how to make Illinois better.”

Welch is asking area residents to draft creative ideas for new legislation that could become law. Residents are encouraged to either create and submit their plans to Welch, or meet with him to discuss their ideas in person. Welch believes that constituent-driven legislation is one way to keep people involved in the lawmaking process, and may invite residents to travel to Springfield to testify on behalf of their idea with him. There is no limit to the number of ideas that can be submitted.

“Sometimes a seemingly complex problem has a very simple solution, that’s why I want to include ordinary people in the legislative process,” said Welch. “This is their democracy, and I will always fight to protect that.”