North Cook News

Cook County Republican Board Commissioner Sean Morrison hopes state Rep. Emmanuel “Craig” Welch (D-Hillside) proves to be up to the challenge of being a voice of reason amid all Springfield's chaos.

“He has the opportunity to put an end to the business as usual nature of Springfield and commit to fundamental change and sound government,” Morrison told the North Cook News. “I see this as being really a critical time for Illinois.”

After nearly 40-years of being under the thumb of Mike Madigan, Springfield lawmakers used the recent lame-duck session to oust the state’s longest running lawmaker from power as House Speaker, installing Welch as his successor, WGN reported. The dramatic shakeup comes as Madigan is suspected of pocketing all the perks from the ComEd pay-for-play scandal in exchange for favorable legislation.

Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Hillside) | Photo Courtesy of Emanuel Welch's website

But even with Welch in charge, Morrison is warning anyone who will listen that the state still hasn’t seen or heard the last from Madigan.

“Understanding the political apparatus as it’s existed in Springfield for the last 40-years, I’m comfortable saying Madigan will still wield tremendous power and authority,” he told the North Cook News. “Think about it; he’s till party chairman and still controls a lot of money.”

Count Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider among those not sold on the idea of Welch being the man for the job of cleaning up cleaning up the mess left by Madigan’s departure, the Illinois GOP reported. Welch's close ties to the longtime lawmaker and his own history of personal troubles that include having faced multiple accusations in court documents of harassing, assaulting and retaliating against women.

“House Democrats have chosen to go from Mike Madigan, the most corrupt politician in America, to Rep. Chris Welch, a top Madigan lieutenant who has been credibly accused by multiple women in court documents of harassment, assault, and retaliation,” he said, the Illinois GOP reported. “It’s now clear that House Democrats are doubling down on allowing Madigan’s corrupt machine to continue running state government.”