Meet Bill Brady
HOMETOWN CALLING
If things had worked out differently, Bill Brady might have had “attorney-at-law” after his name. But in 1983 – shortly after he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University – the family business was struggling through the recession.
So Bill put his law school plans on hold (permanently, it turned out) and stayed in his hometown of Bloomington.
HIS FIRST BUSINESS: A PLACE FOR GROWTH
Born on May 15, 1961, Bill Brady grew up in Bloomington, Illinois. He played lineman at Central Catholic High School and, after a struggling start as a freshman, became a champion wrestler.
In college, Bill quickly showed his passion and creativity for job-creating businesses. He first renovated a duplex with his own hands. Then he got his two brothers together – Ed and Bob – and opened up a Christmas tree farm. As Bill recalls, he and his family and friends spent long hours planting trees, chopping and getting the word out. People came from around the area to pick out their own spruce or pine for the holidays, and Bill learned what it meant to provide opportunity for others.
TAKING ON THE FAMILY BUSINESS
After college, with the recession hitting the area hard, Bill again joined his brothers with their father, and together they rebuilt the family company into one of Central Illinois’ largest home construction firms – and one of the biggest family-owned home providers in the state.
Anticipating the economic downturn, the Brady family began retooling their company in 2006. At its height, Brady Homes employed 34 employees. But facing the new economic reality, the company and staff had to be downsized through tough and painful, but necessary, decisions. The family tried to help employees find new work, but it was still an agonizing process. Now the company is coming through the hard times.
MEET THE BRADY FAMILY
Bill and Nancy have raised three children they are very proud of:
- Katie, a pediatric heart nurse at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
- Will, a law student at DePaul University.
- Duncan, a junior in high school.
THE BILL BRADY RECORD: CLEAN BREAK, COMMON GROUND
Bill has spent his life providing for his family – and those who depend on his family business. In addition, he has served as a State Representative and State Senator to help people throughout central Illinois. As a lawmaker, he has always stood for the principles that he built his life on. Bill has worked with Democrats, Independents and Republicans — reaching across party lines to work with those who promote the best interests of Illinois. Bill Brady has pushed for:
- Protection of pharmaceutical benefits for senior citizens
- Creation of an Illinois Conservation Corps for young adults.
- Bipartisan pension reforms that stabilize the system for current public employees while making changes for future hires to reduce costs
- Protecting children from sexual predators.
- Expansion of property tax breaks for disabled veterans.
Bill has also sponsored and supported plans to limit campaign contributions, allow voters to recall public officials, and to bar state contractors from donating to campaigns. He has also been one of the earliest and strongest voices in the effort to clean up the corruption at the former Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
THE BILL BRADY VISION: A CLEAN BREAK AND JOBS FOR ILLINOIS
Bill Brady has a few simple promises for every citizen in every part of Illinois. First, a clean break from the state’s corrupt political culture:
- Contribution limits. Capping individual campaign contributions at $4,800 for a primary-general election cycle and prohibiting union and corporate contributions.
- Term limits. Ending control of the General Assembly by a powerful few.
- Fair representation. Taking the job of redrawing legislative district boundaries away from politicians and giving it to the bipartisan state Board of Elections using a computer program.
And bold change to create jobs and protect our children’s future:
- Building a jobs-creating environment. Real lawsuit abuse reform, job creation tax credits and elimination of excessive, job-killing taxes and fees on business.
- Living within our means. Restoring fiscal discipline and balancing the budget without raising taxes on Illinois families.
- School reform. Transforming the State Board of Education into a smaller agency that reports directly to the governor – ensuring that money goes to benefit students in classrooms, not the bureaucracy.
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