Illinois Democratic Leaders to Host House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch's State Central Fundraiser and 55th Birthday Celebration

Illinois Democratic Leaders to Host House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch's State Central Fundraiser and 55th Birthday Celebration News provided by Team Welch for 7th District State Central Committeeperson Jan 26, 2026, 12:06 ET Share this article Share to X Share this article Share to X CHICAGO , Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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. 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: [email protected] 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. Davis Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Former Secretary of State Jesse White Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson Hillside Mayor Joe Tamburino Maywood Mayor Nathaniel Booker River Forest Village President & Committeeperson Cathy Adduci Westchester Village President Greg Hribal State Representative Kam Buckner State Representative Lisa Davis State Representative Michael Crawford State Representative Margaret Croke State Representative Kelly Cassidy State Representative Kimberly DuBuclet State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado State Representative Marcus Evans State Representative La Shawn Ford State Representative Edgar Gonzalez State Representative Norma Hernandez State Representative Lilian Jiménez State Representative Theresa Mah State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin State Representative Yolonda Morris State Representative & Committeeperson Aarón Ortíz State Representative Jawaharial "Omar" Williams State Representative Sonya Harper State Representative Justin Slaughter 1st Ward Committeeperson Laura Yepez 2nd Ward Committeeperson Tim Egan 3rd Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Pat Dowell 4th Ward Alderman Lamont Robinson 11th Ward Alderman Nicole Lee 14th Ward Alderman Jeylú Gutiérrez 15th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Ray Lopez 16th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Stephanie Coleman 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis 24th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Monique Scott 25th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett 36th Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Gilbert Villegas 37th Ward Alderwoman & State Central Committeewoman Emma Mitts 42nd Ward Alderman & Committeeperson Brendan Reilly 43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen 43rd Ward Committeeperson Lucy Moog MWRD President Kari Steele MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis Cicero Township President & Committeeperson Larry Dominick Cook County Commissioner & 11th Ward Committeeperson John Daley DNC Member Dan Hynes Former State Central Committeewoman Darlena Williams-Burnett Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Famer & Former Personal PAC President Terry Cosgrove SOURCE Team Welch for 7th District State Central Committeeperson 21 % more press release views with

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