By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The only session day in February was an unforgettable one for the new House speaker, Chris Welch (D-Hillside). “It was exciting,” Welch said in an interview after Wednesday’s House session gaveled out. “It’s Black History Month. The first Black speaker presiding over the chamber for such an important occasion, (passing) historic new rule changes — really an exciting day.”

When Welch was elected speaker last month, the House was meeting down the street in a convention center, returning to the Capitol for the Wednesday session.

As for what to expect in terms of a spring schedule, Welch said, “It’s still too early to tell if we are going to be back in March in person. At least we know now we can convene and do (committee) work remotely. The legislature will be working. It may be remote. There may be a couple of instances where we come down in March. We are looking to a busier April and May, for sure.”

Welch said in addition to the budget and keeping up with the pandemic, he’d like to work on ethics and find a way to tackle redistricting — made difficult by the U.S. Census Bureau’s delay.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]