Democrats Privately Preparing for Life After Madigan
House Speaker Michael Madigan answers questions at the Statehouse in Springfield in 2019. Now under intense scrutiny, some Democrats are concerned no succession plan to Madigan’s long reign is in place.
Here’s a shocker for you: the guy who has exuded his power for decades doesn’t have a successor in mind.
Most of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s allies the past have all moved on, and if Madigan has to give up the Speaker’s office either willingly or via coup, there is no leader in the clubhouse for the job.
We spoke with Democrat lawmakers, operatives, lobbyists, and current and former staffers Thursday, and we asked folks across the age spectrum who they thought was the favorite to replace Madigan and the same two names kept coming up: current Majority Leader Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside), who is chair of the powerful Senate Executive Committee.
Harris would be an intriguing candidate having served in the House since 2006 and becoming Minority Leader in 2019. He is gay and would likely be the first HIV-positive legislative leader in the nation’s history.
Welch is an attorney and would be the first African-American Speaker of the House.
“I’ve thought for some time Chris Welch was the next guy in line,” said one Democratic operative.
Each comes with potential challenges, as Harris was appointed Majority Leader by Madigan and Welch is being accused of covering for Madigan during the ongoing House Investigative Committee process.
Welch had around $100,000 cash on hand at the end of September while Harris had around $350,000, both far below the amount Madigan brought in as Speaker.
If an open leadership battle were to break out, the Democrats could be divided among ideological lines. The liberal or progressive wing of the caucus has grown in ranks in recent years while more moderate members, especially from downstate, have been depleted. Madigan, while he has made some moves in recent years to protect himself with progressives, is often considered a moderate at governing.
Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and a progressive member of the Democratic caucus tweeted Thursday “It's time for us to choose new, progressive leadership for the House.”
That’s where some Democrats tell us candidacies for Representatives like Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) could find traction.
Compromise candidates like Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) and Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) could emerge. Interestingly, Republican lawmakers we spoke to Thursday had high marks for Burke as someone they would want to work with.