The year 2021 was a time of change in Illinois politics and government, whether it was the ushering in of new leadership under the Capitol dome or the passage of consequential legislation that will fundamentally change how the state generates its electricity.
 
Here is a look back at 10 stories or issues in Illinois state government and politics that dominated the headlines in 2021:
 
Speaker Madigan out, Speaker Welch in: Here was no bigger story this year than the ousting of House Speaker Michael Madigan, the state’s most powerful politician and the longest-serving state House speaker in American history, in favor of Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the first Black speaker in Illinois history. Madigan was finally toppled after enough members of his own caucus would not support him for another term as speaker amid a corruption investigation that has embroiled some of his closest confidants. Madigan himself has not been charged with any wrongdoing. Welch has since proclaimed it to be a “new day” in state government and politics, a claim disputed by Republicans, who say it’s “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
 
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