In 1983, Bill Brady abandoned plans to attend law school and joined his family’s “struggling” construction company. He and his brothers have developed the company into one of the largest privately held home construction and real estate development companies in Illinois. Brady went on to serve four terms in the House of Representatives before seeking an Illinois Senate seat in 2002. Today, Senator Brady is the ranking Republican on the Senate Insurance Committee and is a member of the Revenue, Pensions and Investments, Energy, and Environment committees. He also serves on the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. In addition, Brady has been honored by such organizations as the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Civil Justice League, and the Illinois Farm Bureau for his achievements in the General Assembly.
Resume
- Graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University
- 1983 – Joined family construction company
- Four terms in Illinois House of Representatives
- 2002-present – Illinois State Senator
From Senator Brady’s Campaign Site:
"As a state legislator, Senator Brady has worked to increase educational accountability, promote fiscal responsibility, offer homeowners relief from burdensome property taxes, overhaul regulation of the health care industry in Illinois, promote the use of alternative energy sources, and create a low-tax business climate favorable to retaining and creating jobs. He fought for and passed legislation to protect children from sexual predators. He was a primary sponsor of legislation to end pay-to-play politics in Illinois and sponsor of a Constitutional amendment that would give Illinois citizens the power to recall public officials.
He has sponsored reforms of workers’ compensation and medical malpractice laws, and he championed reforms in the state’s insurance and financial industries that became a national model. He passed legislation to guarantee health insurance for retired teachers and was a leading sponsor of legislation to promote highway safety through more training for young drivers.”
Platform
Senator Brady has disclosed a platform addressing a wide range of issues from the current budgetary crisis to agriculture.
Agriculture
Brady has promised to “ streamline Illinois’ research, development and production of biodiesel and ethanol and maintain a modern infrastructure for the transport of goods and services from field or factory to market.”
Crime & Justice
Brady opposes the continuation of the death penalty moratorium imposed under Governor Ryan, but states he will ensure safeguards are in place to protect the innocent. In addition, Brady opposes the early release of so-called non-violent offenders nearing the end of their terms and has promised to reduce mandatory overtime within correctional institutions and the elimination of high-level corrections appointees.
Education
Brady has proposed using 10 percent of natural growth in state tax revenues each year to proportionately pay a larger share of local education costs and reduce the property tax burden on homeowners and small business owners.
Brady also supports the elimination of the State Board of Education and has promised to support proposals requiring a “greater percentage of school funding to be spent in the classrooms, rather than for exorbitant administrative salaries and costs.”
Brady supports either an increase in charter schools or increased education tax credits.
Senator Brady promises to restore funding to state universities and community colleges cut by previous administrations.
Environment
Brady has promised support for technologies that utilize waste products for the production of energy, promotion of clean coal technologies to assist Illinois’ coal industry.
Gaming
Senator Brady opposed an expansion of video poker gambling and opposes the creation of more casino licenses.
Health Care
Brady has promised an overhaul of Medicaid to focus on early access to benefits, claiming that earlier access would save $1 billion annually. In addition, Brady supports state incentives to maximize implementation of medical savings accounts.
Pro-Life
“Senator Brady is pro-life and believes government has an obligation to protect innocent human life”. Senator Brady opposes the use of taxpayer funds for embryonic stem cell research.
Second Amendment
Brady supports concealed carry legislation in Illinois, allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm, as citizens in 48 other states can legally do.
Economy
Senator Brady promises to attract business investment with lower taxes and less regulation. Brady promises the creation of a tax credit and incentive plans, overhauling workers comp and an overhaul of Illinois’ tort liability laws to attract new businesses. In addition, Brady supports the elimination of the “double tax” on motor fuel and “rededicating the state’s motor fuel tax to improvement of Illinois’ infrastructure”.
Government Reform
Brady supports capping individual campaign contributions at $4,800 for a primary-general election cycle and prohibiting union and corporate contributions. In addition, Brady promises to seek term limits for state-wide officials, including House and Senate members. “Brady is a cosponsor of legislation that would give the citizens of Illinois the right to recall public officials who violate the public trust and has sponsored anti-corruption legislation, including a law that prevents companies or individuals with state contracts from making campaign contributions and legislation that gives greater protection and incentive for whistleblowers.”
Budget
Brady wants the entire state spending plan “deconstructed and rebuilt” to allow for a balanced budget. Brady proposes immediate cuts to programs that “outdated or underperforming”. Brady supports legislation to reform Medicaid to focus upon early and managed access. In addition, Brady supports the replacement of underfunded pension plans with 401(k) style retirement plans for state employees.
Taxes and Fees
Senator Brady has pledged to roll back taxes and fees to “competitive levels no higher than in any of our neighbor states.”
Click here for Senator Brady’s campaign website
Comments
Already aganist him. Anybody aganist stem cell research funding of any kind won't get my vote.
gotta love you one-issue voters.
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