Illinois Democratic leaders will host a milestone birthday celebration honoring Speaker of the Illinois House and 7th District State Central Committeeperson candidate Emanuel “Chris” Welch on Friday, February 6. The Harlem Renaissance-themed evening will celebrate Speaker Welch’s 55th birthday while energizing his campaign for State Central Committeeman and honoring Black American progress, leadership, and cultural legacy.
Inspired by the elegance and power of the early 20th-century Harlem Renaissance, the event will uplift themes of unity, resilience, and collective progress–values that continue to shape Speaker Welch’s leadership and public service.
“The Harlem Renaissance showed us the strength of diversity and the power of unity,” said Welch. “As the first Black Speaker of the Illinois House, I have seen how far our state and our country have come in the fight for equality–but I also know how much work remains. I am committed to continuing that fight and building a more just and inclusive future for every community.”
The celebration will be hosted by Governor JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Senate President Don Harmon, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, with a special appearance by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.
The event will take place Friday, February 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Chicago Athletic Association’s White City Ballroom. Guests are encouraged to dress in black and/or gold and embrace classic Harlem Renaissance style, including 1920s-era elegance and glamour–fedoras, feathers, pearls, tuxedos, and vintage flair.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at:secure.actblue.com/donate/happybirthdayspeaker
RSVP: admin@hdemsIL.com Note: This event is closed to the press.
Broad Coalition of Support
Speaker Welch has received endorsements from more than 55 Democratic leaders across the 7th District and beyond, reflecting broad confidence in his leadership and vision. Endorsers include:
Congressman Danny K. DavisCook County Board President Toni PreckwinkleFormer Secretary of State Jesse WhiteDemocratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa HernandezCook County Clerk Monica GordonBellwood Mayor Andre HarveyBroadview Mayor Katrina ThompsonHillside Mayor Joe TamburinoMaywood Mayor Nathaniel BookerRiver Forest Village President & Committeeperson Cathy AdduciWestchester Village President Greg HribalState Representative Kam BucknerState Representative Lisa DavisState Representative Michael CrawfordState Representative Margaret CrokeState Representative Kelly CassidyState Representative Kimberly DuBucletState Representative Eva-Dina DelgadoState Representative Marcus EvansState Representative La Shawn FordState Representative Edgar GonzalezState Representative Norma HernandezState Representative Lilian JiménezState Representative Theresa MahState Representative Debbie Meyers-MartinState Representative Yolonda MorrisState Representative & Committeeperson Aarón OrtízState Representative Jawaharial “Omar” WilliamsState Representative Sonya HarperState Representative Justin Slaughter1st Ward Committeeperson Laura Yepez2nd Ward Committeeperson Tim Egan3rd Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Pat Dowell4th Ward Alderman Lamont Robinson11th Ward Alderman Nicole Lee14th Ward Alderman Jeylú Gutiérrez15th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Ray Lopez16th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Stephanie Coleman18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis24th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Monique Scott25th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett36th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Gilbert Villegas37th Ward Alderwoman & State Central Committeewoman Emma Mitts42nd Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Brendan Reilly43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen43rd Ward Committeeperson Lucy MoogMWRD President Kari SteeleMWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-DavisCicero Township President & Committeeperson Larry DominickCook County Commissioner & 11th Ward Committeeperson John DaleyDNC Member Dan HynesFormer State Central Committeewoman Darlena Williams-BurnettChicago LGBTQ Hall of Famer & Former Personal PAC President Terry Cosgrove
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SOURCE Team Welch for 7th District State Central Committeeperson
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