Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, testifies before the Executive Committee on his legislation to allow legislative staff to unionize, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. , endorsed 74-35 on a largely partisan vote, would allow legislative coordinators, subject-matter specialists, mailroom employees, custodians, doorkeepers providing security and others to unionize.
Republicans questioned Welch closely about the rationale for the change, contending the status quo is agreeable to GOP staff and questioning whether the Senate’s two partisan caucuses have an appetite for it. Welch’s legislation has not yet moved to the Senate so it has no sponsor in that chamber. Legislative staff members assigned to substantive or partisan jobs work long hours, particularly through the grueling final days of the annual spring session, for pay that generally starts in the $40,000 range. They research and write dense, complicated bills, ensuring legislators are prepared to present and defend them while tracking their progress and keeping appraised of opposition.