Illinois House leaders

House caucus off the rails over hemp bill

Published by admin on Sun, 01/12/2025 - 11:33am

Every now and then you get a story that helps explain the Statehousepower dynamic. The saga of the “intoxicating hemp” regulation bill is one of those stories.
The governor’s office began last week by handing House Speaker Chris Welch a list of 62 House Democrats who said they would vote for the hemp regulation bill.
The day ended with the bill in flames and a decision by the House Speaker not to move forward.

Illinois House leaders make jabs personal

Published by admin on Sat, 07/16/2022 - 10:49am

During a sometimes-fiery interview last week, House Speaker Chris Welch pledged to tie House Republican candidates to the far-right top of their ticket and called House Republican Leader Jim Durkin a “failed leader.” A Durkin spokesperson, in turn, called Welch “unhinged.”
It started when I asked Welch if he thought gun law reform would play a major role in the fall campaign, which is basically just around the corner.