West Cook News

A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Theology, Ethics, Culture and Human Science will be challenging House Speaker Chris Welch in the 7th District.

Welch who has been seated as the 7th District's House Representative since 2013 will be opposed by Dr. Eddie Kornegay Jr. in the November general election.

“Vote your values, vote for who you believe will take your platform forward, Kornegay said during a Facebook live. "One for the people if you will.”

Kornegay, a long-time resident of Forest Park is a former visiting Professor at Triton College. His website describes him as a servant leader, scholar, educator and entrepreneur. He is also into volunteering efforts which included working with families of incarcerated during his stint with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. 

He is the first African American man to earn the Ph.D. (Theology, Ethics & Culture w/ Distinction) in the history of Chicago Theological Seminary. 

"It should be noted that Dr. Kornegay shares this distinction with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was given his first honorary degree by Chicago Theological Seminary in 1957," his bio reads.

"Let's put our families and communities first!" Kornegay stated on his website. 

Kornegay is married with four children and is CEO of local tech start-up FaithCloud Concepts, LLC. He is also the Director of R.I.S.E. (Restoring Inheritance Stewarding Excellence), "a cutting-edge pre & post-release reentry, repatriation & community outreach service at Living Word Christian Center," according to his bio. His platform is built on faith, family and community, and protecting Constitutional rights. He also supports parental rights in education, common sense public safety, and an environment in which small businesses can thrive. He has nearly three decades of experience in organizational development and urban transformation. Kornegay also served in the United States Marine Corps. 

Kornegay's opponent in the November general election, Welch, has been unopposed since 2018. Welch has been in the position for 9 years.

Welch was elected Speaker of the House on Jan. 13, 2021, succeeding the longest-serving speaker Michael Madigan. The Hillside Democrat was handpicked by his Democrat predecessor.

A bill that would prevent Illinoisans who have been accused of assaulting others from legally buying guns in the state was recently introduced by thirteen House Democrats. HB 5766 would amend the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. 

Welch was named in a 2002 Hillside Police report where he was described as committing an alleged domestic battery of his then-girlfriend. According to her, Welch “grabbed her hair with both hands while in the kitchen and proceeded to slam her head backwards several times on the countertop.”