In a notable gesture of genuine bipartisanship in the post-Mike Madigan era, new Illinois House speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch (D-Hillside) stopped in North Aurora on Friday to attend an Open House at the District Office of assistant minority leader Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego), a celebration that included other community leaders such as Aurora mayor Richard Irvin, Kane County Board chair Corinne Pierog, Kendall County Board Chair Scott Gryder, State senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), State representative Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), State representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), State representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), State representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), and House minority leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs).
“I am immensely grateful to all the local residents who stopped by to say hello, and to our state and community leaders for their friendship and commitment to work together to deliver results for the families we are privileged to serve,” Wheeler said. “This is truly the start of a new era in Illinois. For the first time in decades that anyone can recall, a Democratic House Speaker attended the event of a Republican colleague. It’s not merely symbolic. Speaker Welch and I have worked together to pass meaningful legislation this spring, with the support of Leader Durkin. Together we can keep making a difference for Fox Valley families and everyone across Illinois.”
—Office of State representative Keith Wheeler