Craig Willert Consulting, Inc.
Our Approach
CWC, Inc. was founded on the idea that results speak for themselves and honesty is valued above all else. The approach at CWC, Inc. is simple: identify a problem, develop solutions and execute the plan. You will always get a straight answer, no bull.
Our goal is to solve your problems and create opportunities, nothing less.
Biography
Craig Willert – President – Craig Willert Consulting, Inc. was launched in December of 2021 after concluding his time working for the Office of the Speaker for nearly 11 years, from 2011 to 2021. In Craig Willert Consulting’s first legislative session, he successfully led a number of efforts for his clients in many spaces. He helped secure tens of millions of dollars in new spending in the budget, enhanced existing tax credits, and maintained levels of critical spending from past budgets. He also successfully helped clients build relationships with the new Speaker of the House, executive office senior staff members of leadership in both chambers and both sides of the aisle and developed a number of strategies to ensure legislative and executive victories.
Willert grew up on the northwest side of Chicago in the Edison Park neighborhood, attended high school in Chicago, college in Cleveland, and moved back to begin working for the Office of the Speaker in 2011. He now lives in the Roscoe Village neighborhood in Chicago where he serves as a Board of Director for the Roscoe Village Neighborhood Association with his wife and two dogs, Luna and Leroy.
Experience
Legislative Experience
Prior to launching Craig Willert Consulting, Inc., Willert served as Senior Adviser and Political Director to Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. He also served four years as Political Director for the House Democratic Caucus under the previous Speaker. In his last year with Speaker Welch, he led the efforts on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus in drawing and approving new legislative districts for the House, Senate and Congress in Illinois. Under Speaker Welch as well as the previous Speaker, he worked directly with members of the House Democratic caucus to shape, develop and implement the strategy and messaging for their legislative and political agendas.
During his time as Political Director and Senior Adviser, he developed and successfully executed strategies to shepherd critical pieces of legislation through the General Assembly, including bills to raise the minimum wage, protect reproductive health care, invest billions of dollars in capitol infrastructure and many more. Additionally, he worked with key staff and lawmakers in helping craft numerous state budgets that met the needs of all Illinoisans while gaining a strong comprehension about how decision-makers think. Throughout his legislative career, he developed a unique understanding of the legislative process, created lasting relationships with key staff in the Legislature and various Executive agencies and gained invaluable knowledge of the inner-workings of every corner of state government.
Campaign Experience
During his time as Political Director for the campaign arm of the House Democratic Caucus, he was responsible for developing and implementing winning campaign strategies for the caucus to maintain and expand the Democratic majority during the 2018, 2020 and 2022 election cycles. He was responsible for developing multi-million dollar budgets, managing dozens of staff and making strategic decisions about the best use of caucus resources. When he assumed this position, House Democrats held 65 seats out of 118, and throughout his three campaign cycles as political director, House Democrats picked up 13 additional seats for a total of 78, the highest amount in recent history.
Experience
Legislative Experience
Prior to launching Craig Willert Consulting, Inc., Willert served as Senior Adviser and Political Director to Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. He also served four years as Political Director for the House Democratic Caucus under the previous Speaker. In his last year with Speaker Welch, he led the efforts on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus in drawing and approving new legislative districts for the House, Senate and Congress in Illinois. Under Speaker Welch as well as the previous Speaker, he worked directly with members of the House Democratic caucus to shape, develop and implement the strategy and messaging for their legislative and political agendas.
During his time as Political Director and Senior Adviser, he developed and successfully executed strategies to shepherd critical pieces of legislation through the General Assembly, including bills to raise the minimum wage, protect reproductive health care, invest billions of dollars in capitol infrastructure and many more. Additionally, he worked with key staff and lawmakers in helping craft numerous state budgets that met the needs of all Illinoisans while gaining a strong comprehension about how decision-makers think. Throughout his legislative career, he developed a unique understanding of the legislative process, created lasting relationships with key staff in the Legislature and various Executive agencies and gained invaluable knowledge of the inner-workings of every corner of state government.
Campaign Experience
During his time as Political Director for the campaign arm of the House Democratic Caucus, he was responsible for developing and implementing winning campaign strategies for the caucus to maintain and expand the Democratic majority during the 2018, 2020 and 2022 election cycles. He was responsible for developing multi-million dollar budgets, managing dozens of staff and making strategic decisions about the best use of caucus resources. When he assumed this position, House Democrats held 65 seats out of 118, and throughout his three campaign cycles as political director, House Democrats picked up 13 additional seats for a total of 78, the highest amount in recent history.
Services Offered
Government Relations
Legislative and Administrative Advocacy
Political Strategy and Consulting
Crisis Management