By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Chris Welch (D-Hillside) is not quite used to the fact that, when somebody says, “Mister Speaker!”, they are talking to him.
On his first full day as Speaker of the House, Welch stood by his story that his elevation to the speaker’s chair – finalized Wednesday at the 102nd General Assembly inauguration – was thoroughly unexpected.
A straw poll Sunday showed now former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) with only 51 of the 60 caucus votes he would need for a 19th term. He then suspended his campaign and called Welch.
Despite Madigan’s reputation for being meticulous, thorough, and controlling, Welch said, “I was stunned – shocked! – by the news. And so if he knew (about his own exit and Welch’s ascension) ahead of time, he didn’t let on, because – I gotta tell ya – I didnt know anything ahead of time, and that phone call changed my life.”
While women’s groups were calling for the House to name its first female speaker, Welch is at least its first Black speaker. “I’ve received calls from all over the country, including from the first Black speaker of the House in California. And little black boys and little black girls (who thought such a height out of reach) can start believing it.”
Welch also has a past to answer to. He was accused about ten years ago of sexually harassing female school district employees when he was the school board president; and about twenty years ago of beating a former girlfriend. One of the two Present votes in the speaker’s vote came from State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), who later said the allegations should be more thoroughly investigated.
“Let me tell you something about Rep. Kelly Cassidy,” Welch said. “We’re friends, and we don’t always agree. And when we disagree, we disagree respectfully. So i respect how she has handled this approach. Do I agree with it? Not necessarily. But i respect it.”
Nothing stuck. The ex-girlfriend did not press charges, and sexual harassment proceedings were dropped.
Welch said he would like to see a law for a ten-year term limit for the speaker. He would like to at least leave the door open to continue a caseload at his Chicago law firm, depending on whether there would be a conflict of interest.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
