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The Latest Breaking News from Emanuel Chris Welch

Welcome warning? Illinois Senate president’s message to newly sworn senators: Fly right or get lost

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon quoted both his late mother, who worried “that Springfield will change your notion of what the right thing is,” and former Chicago Police Supt. James Rochford, who once warned officers “If you lack integrity, get out — get out now.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois bans semiautomatic weapons, critics vow court test

Illinois has outlawed automatic weapons amid a torrent of mass shootings including a 4th of July parade shooting that killed seven and injured 30

The Independent UK

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signs comprehensive gun bill banning sale of military-style firearms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Tuesday night a comprehensive measure that supporters called one of the nation’s toughest bans on military style firearms, immediately prohibiting their sale and giving current owners until Jan. 1 to register gun serial numbers with Illinois State Police.

Chicago Tribune

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Illinois House approves measure banning military style firearms, which Gov. JB Pritzker says he will sign

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois House gave final approval Tuesday to a comprehensive measure to ban military style firearms that was drafted by Democrats, which now awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature even as gun rights advocates contend it is unconstitutional and vow a legal challenge.

Chicago Tribune

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sets out 2nd-term agenda as weapons ban bill heads for final vote

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Seeking to build on the successes of his four years in office, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker offered a second-term agenda Monday that called for a state constitutional right to abortion, making preschool available to every family and making public college free for children in working-class families.

Chicago Tribune

State assault weapons ban moves ahead after Democratic deal and echoes of a child’s screams

The Illinois Senate voted 34-20 to approve the measure, which now must go back to the Illinois House for concurrence. Earlier, lawmakers heard audio that began with a high-pitched cry from a child at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade. “What is happening?” the child screams. “What is…

Chicago Sun-Times

Pritzker, Welch publicly scoff at proposed Senate changes to assault weapons bill

Gov. J.B. Pritzker released a statement saying the current language coming out of the Senate “falls short.” The House passed an assault weapons ban Friday. A Senate panel resumes debate Monday.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Illinois House passes bills banning certain semi-automatic weapons, expanding abortion protections

With Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker seated in the front row of the chamber, the Illinois House early Friday approved a sweeping ban on high-powered firearms about two hours after voting to shore up the state’s already expansive protections for abortion rights.

Chicago Tribune

Illinois House approves assault weapons ban

After a lengthy debate that stretched into Friday, the House voted 64-43 to pass the measure that would also ban “rapid-fire devices” that turn firearms into fully automatic weapons. It must still clear the Illinois Senate.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois Gov. Pritzker ran a cautious reelection campaign. Will he play it safe in 2nd term?

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker begins his second term Jan. 9 emboldened by a decisive reelection victory, a slew of wins in November by Democratic candidates he helped fund and a series of legislative successes that formed the foundation of his bid for another four years in Springfield.

Chicago Tribune

Illinois commemorates Barack Obama’s 2007 presidential announcement with marker at Old State Capitol

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The weather turned frigid in the state capital on Wednesday, just in time for the dedication of a marker commemorating the day nearly 16 years ago when thousands braved single-digit temperatures to see then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama announce his 2008 presidential bid from the steps of the…

Chicago Tribune

Only ‘wave’ Illinois Republicans see in Legislature is the farewell one from Durkin as House GOP leader

State House GOP Leader Jim Durkin’s decision not to seek reelection as minority leader reflects the dissatisfaction among many establishment Republicans. “I began this journey as a voice of moderation and conclude this journey the same way I started, a voice of moderation,” Durkin said.

Chicago Sun-Times

Pritzker gives shoe leather and big bucks to Democrats running for state’s top court — but GOP says he’s skirting the law

Pritzker gave $500,000 each to the candidates from his campaign fund — and another $500,000 to each from a personal trust fund. Republicans accuse him of skirting limits he himself signed into law. But the Illinois State Board of Elections says the contributions are allowed.

Chicago Sun-Times

Juul Labs, target of $440 million settlement, has given Illinois pols over $120,000 since 2020

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch has been a major recipient of the company’s giving, campaign-finance records show.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, other pols keep taking money from pharma companies implicated in opioid crisis

The Oak Park Democrat continues to accept campaign money from Johnson & Johnson, 1 of 4 companies paying $26 billion to settle suits accusing them of fueling the crisis. He’s not the only Illinois official doing so.

Chicago Sun-Times

Chris Welch and the fight for control of Illinois Democratic Party

Once Gov. J.B. Pritzker leaves office, the next Democratic governor will likely benefit from the precedent set by this intra-party battle.

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Democrats pitching 2024 convention present picture of unity to national party despite tension over leadership battle

CHICAGO — Illinois’ top Democrats gathered on a Fulton Market venue stage Tuesday in an attempt to present a unified front to national party officials reviewing Chicago’s 2024 presidential convention bid, masking an intensifying battle over control of the state Democratic Party.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois House leaders will have to find a way to work together

In an interview last week, House Speaker Chris Welch called House Republican Leader Jim Durkin a “failed leader.” A Durkin spokeswoman, in turn, called Welch “unhinged.”

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Chicago Tribune

Illinois leaders delay special session on reproductive rights

CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic leaders in the Illinois General Assembly are pushing back a planned special legislative session aimed at increasing legal protections for abortion providers and patients in Illinois.

Chicago Sun-Times

Young progressives, Trump-affiliated Republicans big winners on election day

Meanwhile, the four Illinois legislative leaders did not have a spectacular primary day last week.

Chicago Sun-Times

House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch’s wife among clout-heavy winners in primary judge races

ShawnTe Raines-Welch topped three opponents in the Democratic primary race for judge in a suburban judicial district. A candidate tied to Welch’s predecessor, ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, didn’t fare as well.

Chicago Sun-Times

Strong Democratic Party of Illinois bid to become early presidential primary state

“There is no better state for a Democratic presidential candidate to introduce themselves to voters than Illinois,” said the bid, obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago Tribune

New census figures show Illinois’ population change was actually a modest gain, but experts say warning signs remain

CHICAGO — Brooke Landrum came to Chicago from Cincinnati in 2016 to attend Loyola University, and after graduation she decided to stay and settle into the bustling Lakeview neighborhood.

Chicago Sun-Times

Campaign contributions to Welch’s wife raises question: Is Madigan era truly over?

Politicians who operate in ways that bring them personal benefit could end up on a slippery slope.

Salon

Police ticket students for misbehavior

An Illinois law bans schools from fining students, so local police are doing it for them

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