Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch highlights measures to combat affordability crisis as 2026 spring legislative session begins

The Illinois House is set to return to Springfield today — to begin the 2026 spring legislative session.

Lawmakers face a projected $2.2 billion budget shortfall, ongoing battles with the Trump administration over immigration agents and election policy, and concerns about the rising cost of living. Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel “Chris” Welch is a Democrat from Hillside, now entering his sixth year leading the chamber.

He previews the new session on the program. 

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Speaker Chris Welch 
D-Hillside, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives