Illinois REALTORS® congratulates Emanuel “Chris” Welch on his election as the new Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and looks forward to working with him on issues critical to consumers, housing providers and REALTORS®.

Welch’s election as the first Black speaker of the Illinois House made history and in his acceptance speech, he stressed the need for unity to bridge racial and political divides and move the state forward. Those goals of diversity and inclusion are values we share.

Our state association is proud of the record of partnership we have built with Speaker Welch during his eight years in the Illinois General Assembly and look forward to strengthening that relationship now that he is speaker.

Speaker Welch has always understood the importance of a strong real estate sector on the state’s economy and we are pleased to work with him, his caucus and the rest of the Illinois General Assembly in the days ahead.