We spoke with Illinois’ New House Speaker Rep. Chris Welch about his vision for the state and how he plans to use his platform to help the communities that need it most.
Illinois House Speaker Rep. Chris Welch has deep ties to the community he serves. Born and raised in his district, Welch is a graduate of Proviso West High School. He got his start in politics on his local school board in 2001. 20 years later, Welch is making history as the first Black Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
You were class president in high school. Did you always know you wanted to have a career in politics?
I’ve always enjoyed the strategy of politics, and I’m a people person. I love building relationships. But I never thought a position on my local school board would lead to being the first Black Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Success is not easy in Illinois politics. How were you able to break down some of the barriers that exist and get to the position you’re in now?
This business is all about relationship building. You have to be patient and treat everyone with respect. Even when you disagree, you have to remember to be civil and compassionate.
How does that work when you’re dealing with people who don’t share your values?
It’s been more difficult in the era of Donald Trump. The discourse was so negative. It takes a lot of discipline not to fire back when people are firing at you. But there is real value in lowering the temperature.
Is there one common concern you hear from your constituents right now?
Right now, everyone is talking about COVID. Our economy has been devastated, and people are frustrated. Small businesses are struggling. People are unemployed, and they can’t get through to the unemployment office.
One of my priorities as a new leader is to figure out how to get relief to people who desperately need it right now. Having a new administration in Washington will help.
What can you do as Speaker if you don’t get immediate support from the Federal Government?
I can use my elevated platform to bring awareness to the disparities that exist in Black and Brown communities. We don’t have the same access to COVID testing or healthcare as wealthier communities. But COVID is shining a light on something we’ve always known. And when you have a microphone like the one I have, you can’t be afraid to use it.
Do you feel optimistic about your ability to work with other representatives across the state?
I think we’re going to do some good things. My style is doing things in a bipartisan way. But Illinois has a supermajority of Democrats, so we’re going to get it done even without Republican support. We have to look past party labels and work together. People in those districts need rental and mortgage assistance too. This is not a Black or White problem. It’s a human problem.
What do you do in your free time?
My children are 8 and 6, so I’m a busy dad. My wife and I are both lawyers, and we’re both active in our kids’ lives. I love picking them up from school, being a baseball coach, and doing all of the things fathers do.
What is your message to the people of Illinois?
On Martin Luther King Jr. day, my son asked me when Illinois was founded. When I told him 1818, I could see his face calculating. He responded, “That’s over 200 years! It took that long for a Black person to get your job?” I told him that is what Dr. King was fighting for. I realized at that moment that he understood what was happening.
We’re so used to being told that we can’t do something. I always tell people that if we believe it, we can achieve it. I may be the first, but I’m not the last. I’m just opening the door for many more Black boys and girls to follow in my footsteps.
All of the firsts we’re seeing are no accident. The Black Lives Matter movement paved the way. When you organize and wake up people’s consciousness, things happen. I honestly believe that this is our moment.