CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For the first time in nearly 40 years, there’s a new Democrat in charge of the Illinois House and he’s made history.
West suburban State Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) beat back five other candidates, including Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, to become the new Speaker of the Illinois House.
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"Today will be the last time I talk about us as Democrats or Republicans, because I want to talk about us being united," Welch said.
Welch is the first Black person to become Speaker.
Speaker Welch is 49-years old and has been in the legislature since 2013. He was 11-years old when Mike Madigan first became House Speaker, and now he takes over the top House leadership post from Madigan.
Welch praised his predecessor.
"While our state has many problems, our schools are better, more children have access to health care, and our working class families can more easily live the American dream thanks to the strong leadership of Speaker Madigan," Welch said.
He told legislators Wednesday he wants to be open and accessible and wants to work with Democrats and Republicans to tackle the state’s most serious issues.