Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability

SPRINGFIELD — House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch says this spring’s election-year legislative session will be squarely focused on tackling Illinois voters’ priorities.
“We’re going to focus on things that help folks in their household budget,” Welch told Capitol News Illinois. “We’re going to focus on things that help create good jobs, wage growth and opportunity. We’re going to help our small businesses continue to grow and succeed.”
“Affordability” will be the word of the year, and Welch said members of his House Democratic caucus will be making decisions about their priorities through that lens.
A recent poll by Emerson College and WGN News showed the economy was by far the top concern for Illinoisan, with 40% of the 1,000 likely primary voters surveyed naming it their top priority.