Patrick Welch | |
---|---|
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 38th district | |
In office January 12, 1983 – January 12, 2005 | |
Preceded by | John E. Grotberg |
Succeeded by | Gary G. Dahl |
Personal details | |
Born | Patrick Daniel Welch (1948-12-12)December 12, 1948 Chicago, Illinois |
Died | January 7, 2020(2020-01-07) (aged 71) |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Peru, Illinois |
Alma mater | Chicago-Kent College of Law Southern Illinois University |
Profession | Attorney |
Patrick Daniel Welch (December 12, 1948 – January 7, 2020) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 38th district from 1983 to 2005. He served as an Assistant Majority Leader during his final term.
Early life
Patrick Welch was born on December 12, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended college earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Southern Illinois University and a J.D. degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Illinois Senate
Welch first entered the Illinois Senate after winning what was thought to be a strongly Republican district against Betty J. Hoxsey in the closest Illinois Senate election of 1982. During his time in the Illinois Senate he was appointed to the Illinois Task Force on Global Climate Change, and proposed saving taxpayers money by eliminating the office of Lieutenant Governor of Illinois During his tenure Welch was a perennial target of the Illinois Republican Party, but managed to defeat major efforts to unseat him including a $500,000 spending effort in 1990 and a 700 vote margin of victory in 1994. He lost election in 2004 to Gary G. Dahl.
Death
He died of complications of a stroke on January 7, 2020, at age 71. He was also suffering from dementia prior to his death.
References
- "The Senate: Economic development and state revenue are the issue for 1983". Lib.niu.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
- Illinois Blue Book 1981-1982 page 144
- ^ "Senator Patrick Welch (D) - Previous General Assembly (93rd) 38th District". Illinois General Assembly. 2003-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- Charles N. Wheeler III (1986-09-01). "GOP targets Senate takeover, but LaRouche factor nil". Illinois Issues. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- Ross, Diane (1986-09-01). "GOP targets Senate takeover, but LaRouche factor nil". Illinois Issues. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- James Pollock; F. Mark Siebert & Charles Swearingen (1993-03-30). "Illinois Task Force on Global Climate Change". Illinois Issues. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- Long, Peggy Boyer (1998-06-14). "THE PEOPLE'S COURT? : Citizens could have a hand in disciplining judges". Illinois Issues. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- Charles N. Wheeler III (1990-11-01). "Voter apathy or disenchantment?". Illinois Issues. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- Tom Collins (2020-01-07). "Patrick Welch, 22-year state senator, dead at 71". Mywebtimes.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
External links
- Illinois General Assembly - Senator Patrick Welch (D) 38th District official IL Senate website
- Follow the Money - Patrick Welch
- LaSalle County Democrats - Patrick Welch profile