By Illinois Review
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has thrown the Democratic Party into turmoil by removing a Latino committee chairman from his leadership role for advocating to save taxpayer money – a bold move that is likely to backfire.
Hoffman Estates Democratic State Rep. Fred Crespo, the first suburban Latino caucus co-chair, was removed as chairman of the Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. According to Illinois’ Politico, Crespo’s ousting came after he allegedly failed to “return calls” or “complete” tasks assigned to him by the speaker, whose leadership has been described as increasingly authoritarian.
On Friday, Crespo told Politico, “I’m disappointed but not surprised.”
The fiscally conservative appropriations chairman has clashed with fellow Democratic Party leadership for irresponsible spending and always looking to hardworking taxpayers to solve the state’s fiscal crisis.
Crespo has also urged his Democratic colleagues – who control the state – to figure out ways to save taxpayer money. Illinois remains the highest taxed state in the country.
For fiscal year 2025, Illinois is estimated to have a budget deficit of $1.7 billion.
Since August 2022, under the leadership of Speaker Welch – the Illinois General Assembly has spent a total of $708 million on illegal immigrants.
So far, the Latino Caucus and Gov. JB Pritzker has remained silent on Crespo’s removal as chairman and from the House Democratic Caucus.
