Who will be the new Illinois House Speaker?

Let's talk more about the new details we're learning as to what motivated a group of local Democrats to push out Emanuel Chris Welch as the Speaker of the Illinois House. And new details on who could replace him as well. Fox Chicago political reporter Brandon Pope has the latest on this really seismic shift in political power that we're seeing. Yeah, seismic indeed. A shocker to a lot of people out there, but something... Others saw coming. Welch became the first black Speaker of the House in 2021 and had planned to hold it down for at least a decade. Well, now he says he will step aside and the hunt for a new Speaker of the House is on. Democrats right now are circling a few names with many now seeing an opportunity for Illinois to have its first ever woman holding the gavel. Cam Buckner is, of course, the name folks around Springfield come up with the most right away. He's been a major player on big issues like the Bears Stadium and But then the potential for history, I'm told, 11th District Rep Ann Williams is in play. Also, Assistant Majority Leader Eva Dina Delgado. And the favorite right now, I'm told, is Jahan Gordon Booth out of Peoria. She's well-respected in the General Assembly, and sources believe she would appease enough key members to get to the needed 60 votes, especially within the Black Caucus, who have already said they're not going to go for anybody unless they're from within their ranks. I'm waiting to hear back from all four right now to get comment from them. We're also learning more about why Welch was actually pushed out. Of course, the biggest is his handling of the sexual harassment allegations around former rep. Harry Benton, but other Springfield sources have mentioned Welch's own dealings with staffers. Members were also skeptical of Welch's ability to deliver on key issues in Springfield, especially the Bears Stadium legislation, and moderate and suburban reps took issue with the 60-vote threshold rule he implemented. Representative Mary Beth Canty was one of 26 members signing a letter demanding a change at the top. Here's what she wants from the next speaker. There was a lack of transparency, it felt like a lack of organization, issues with communication. And I hope the next speaker is able to address all of those issues. But what I am most excited to see on our way to getting to that place is a process that allows members of our caucus to come before the whole group, the whole 84 of us, and lay out their vision, lay out their ideas for how they're going to lead, and then take questions and feedback from their colleagues, and then give ourselves time and space. To sort of work through some of the items that get raised so that when we come back in January, everyone is ready to make their nominations and then cast a vote. Now, Canty is the chair of the Women's Caucus, and I wish you could have seen her face when I brought up these names to her. She was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of a. First woman speaker of the Illinois House, but she would not say where she may be leaning. She says they have a number of talented women leaders in the chamber, and she hopes as many as possible throw their hat in the ring, but many circling their eyes on potential history. She lit up when I mentioned those names, so you're going to hear a lot more of that, especially Jahan, for sure. Yeah, I didn't think of Jahan Gordon-Booth, but now that you mention her name, I'm like, well, that would make sense. Checks off a lot of boxes. It really does. Yes, it does. But I will say— The irony is not lost if it does end up becoming a woman who becomes speaker on how we even got to this point. Especially since a lot of these, a lot of the allegations and issues within Springfield have centered around complaints from women and a desire to make sure that women have a greater voice around workplace conditions within Springfield. This would be sort of a remedy in a sense and the hope would be that a woman leader A leader could institute some. Much needed changes for the workplace culture there. Absolutely, and protection. Thank you so much, Brandon. We'll see you a little bit later on.