Brady Reaction to AG on Sale of Thomson Correctional Center

Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s opinion regarding the proposed sale of the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government:

“Because the legislature could be called on to vote on ceding state jurisdiction of the site at some point, I would urge the Governor to seek a vote in the General Assembly before any sale of the Thomson Correctional Center is completed.  This is a serious matter, which I believe should be subject to full and open debate and complete transparency.”

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Brady Launches “All Fired Up” Tour of Southern Illinois

State Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, will visit 19 counties over two days on an “All Fired Up in Southern Illinois” tour to launch the final month of campaigning throughout Illinois before the February 2 Republican primary election.

 ”From Carmi to Cairo, from Metropolis and Mound City to Marion, we’re taking our campaign directly to the people of Southern Illinois,” said Brady, the only Downstate candidate for Governor in the primary. 

 ”The tour will give us another opportunity to communicate directly with Southern Illinois Republican voters about our campaign to provide a clean break from the politics and anti-business policies of the past and to bring new leadership and a statewide balance to Springfield.”

 Brady will be joined by his wife Nancy and son Duncan on the December 29-30 tour which will include stops in 24 communities.  Local supporters and Republican legislators who have endorsed Brady’s bid for Governor will join the tour at various stops.

 Tuesday, December 29

 6:30 a.m. — Coffee Meet/Greet, The Hitchin’ Post, 1418 Salem Road, Mt. Vernon

7 a.m. – Caravan departs

7:30 a.m. – JT’s Restaurant, 302 Orchard Street, Wayne City

8:30 a.m. – 2 Sisters Diner, 410 S. 1^st Street (Route 45), Fairfield

9:30 a.m. – Edwards County Senior Citizens Center, 323 N. 5^th Street, Albion

10:30 a.m. – Hog Heaven Restaurant, 411 W. 9^th Street, Mt. Carmel

11:30 a.m. – Lunch, White County Republican Headquarters, 108 Main Street, Carmi

12:30 p.m. – Farris Family Restaurant, 608 E. Randolph Street, McLeansboro

1:30 p.m. – Eldorado Holiday Tournament, 2200 Illinois Avenue, Eldorado

2:30 p.m. – Downen Enterprises, 1 W. Fulton, New Shawneetown

3:30 p.m. – Granny’s Kitchen, 1011 W. Poplar Street, Harrisburg

4:45 p.m. – Historic Rose Hotel, 92 Main Street, Elizabethtown

5:45 p.m. – Dari Barr, 209 W. Main Street, Golconda

7 p.m. – Vienna Public Library, 401 Poplar Street, Vienna

8:30 p.m. – Overnight in Metropolis

 

Wednesday, December 30

 

7 a.m. – Metropolis Community Center, 900 W. 10^th Street, Metropolis

8:10 a.m. – Pulaski County Courthouse, 500 Illinois Avenue, Mound City

9 a.m. – Magnolia Manor, 2700 Washington Avenue, Cairo

10 a.m. – Tamms Community Center, Second Street, Tamms

11 a.m. – Dongola Tri-County Record, 130 Front Street, Dongola

11:45 a.m. – Denny Deer Camp, 1500 Kaolin Road, Cobden

1 p.m. – Lunch, Jackson County GOP Headquarters, 1334 Walnut Street, Murphysboro

2 p.m. – Ten Pin Alley, 1608 S. Washington, DuQuoin

3 p.m. – Benton Civic Center, 414 Hudelson Street, Benton

3:45 p.m. – West Frankfort City Hall, 110 N. Jefferson Street, West Frankfort

5 – 6 p.m. – “All Fired Up” Campaign Celebration, 20’s Hideout, 2602 Wanda, Marion, sponsored by Jeff and Margaret Diederich

The only candidate for Governor with both business and legislative experience, Brady is a lifelong resident of Bloomington.  He and his brothers own and operate real estate marketing, construction and development companies in Central Illinois. 

 Brady has served in the Illinois Senate since 2002 and previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001.  He currently is the ranking Republican on the Senate Insurance Committee and serves on the Senate Revenue, Energy, and Environment committees.  He also is a member of the General Assembly’s bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

 A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, he and his wife, Nancy, have three children.

Brady Opposed to Housing Terrorist Detainees at Thomson

 Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, today released this statement on the plans by President Obama to move terrorist detainees from Cuba to Illinois:

 ”President Obama and Governor Quinn are collaborating to bring terrorist detainees to Illinois.  As I have said since this issue arose a month ago, I believe those detainees should continue to be held at our secure and taxpayer-funded facility at Guantanamo Bay.  We have an investment in Guantanamo Bay, and that’s where international terrorists ought to be held, tried and kept.

 The Thomson Correctional Center in northwestern Illinois should be opened and used to confine state inmates.    We have a shortage of inmate bed space, and Thomson will alleviate that problem and provide new jobs to the residents of northwestern Illinois.

 At a time when the Quinn Administration is seeking to build new correctional facilities in the state, it makes no sense to sell off a facility that stands ready to house a growing number of state inmates.

 Despite state laws that control the sale of state property, the White House and the Quinn Administration are moving full-steam ahead.  I have asked Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan whether the state can sell the Thomson property without legislative approval but received no response.  The state legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has a public hearing scheduled for December 22 in northwestern Illinois on the proposal.  Why the need to move forward before the hearing and the commission’s recommendation?

 In my opinion, Thomson is a facility we cannot afford to give up right now, particularly in light of the fact the governor is releasing inmates early.”

Brady Calls on McKenna to Answer Alleged Party Ethics Questions

It’s become abundantly clear in recent days that during his time as Illinois Republican Party Chairman, my opponent Andy McKenna, may have violated the conflict-of-interest ethics rules he himself put in place.

McKenna apparently authorized a $25,000 internal poll while he was the Illinois GOP Chairman that he subsequently used to to determine his chances of success as a statewide republican candidate in this election.

News reports indicate McKenna sanctioned the poll and use of Illinois Republican Party money without the permission of fellow party leaders.  His actions reek of impropriety, which is why I am calling on McKenna to come forward and set the record straight. 

If Andy McKenna did indeed use $25,000 of his own party’s money for personal use, what’s to say he wouldn’t do it to the taxpayers of Illinois?

Sadly, McKenna is not the only candidate in this race involved in corrupt politics of the past.

Jim Ryan, another of my opponents, took $800,000 in campaign contributions from close friend Stuart Levine, all along claiming he didn’t know Levine was corrupt.

These are perfect examples of Chicago-style politics Illinois so desperately needs a clean break from.  Next to jobs and taxes, ethics is of most importance to Illinois and its voters.  We need a clean break from the corrupt, unethical politics of the past.  Illinois needs a candidate who will fight corruption, not take part in it.  I am that candidate.

Brady Endorsed by Both Statewide Pro-Life Groups

Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, earned the endorsements of the political action committees of both the Illinois Citizens for Life and the Illinois Federation for Right to Life.

 ”Your personal commitment to protecting unborn life as well as those at the end of life is commendable,” wrote Ralph Rivera, chair of the Illinois Citizens for Life PAC, noting Brady’s 100 percent pro-life voting record.   ”Additionally, we believe that your pro-life position and your legislative and business experience make you the best candidate to win in November 2010.”

 ”Not only has Mr. Brady expressed a desire to protect unborn children, but he has also indicated his support for the disabled as well as those endangered at the end of life,” Dawn Behnke, chair of IFRL-PAC wrote in the group’s announcement of the endorsement.

 Brady, of Bloomington, is the only candidate for Governor to have earned the endorsement of both statewide pro-life groups.

Brady Earns Endorsement of 15 Legislators

Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, today received the support and endorsement of 14 Republican legislators for Governor in 2010.

 

In addition to the 14, Rep. Jim Sacia (R., Pecatonica) added his endorsement of Brady for Governor during the campaign’s visit to Rockford.

 

“Bill Brady has a proven track record of platform Republican principles and possesses the common sense and business experience we so desperately need in Springfield,” said Rep. David Reis (R., Willow Hill).  “It’s critical we return geographical and political balance to our state government, and I feel Senator Brady is best suited to lead this charge.”

 

“I have had the honor of serving with Bill in the Senate. I have found him to be a man of character, honesty and integrity,” said Senator Brad Burzysnki (R., Clare).  “Bill has earned my trust and would serve this state well as its governor.”

 

Sen. John O. Jones (R., Mt. Vernon) said, “The state of Illinois needs to be run like a business, and Bill Brady is the candidate who can do that.  His plan to restore fiscal discipline in Springfield and bring jobs back to Illinois will help Illinois businesses and working families throughout the state.”

 

“As a businessman, he knows how to meet a payroll and how to put Illinois back on its feet,” said Rep. Rich Myers (R., Colchester).  “His experience, integrity and leadership are what we need in the governor’s office in Springfield.”

 

Legislators who have endorsed Brady are:

 

• Senator Tim Bivins, Dixon
• Assistant Senate Republican Leader Brad Burzynski, Clare
• Assistant Senate Republican Leader John O. Jones, Mt. Vernon
• Assistant Senate Republican Leader David Luechtefeld, Okawville
• Senator Dale Risinger, Peoria
• Representative Mike Bost, Murphysboro
• Representative John Cavaletto, Salem
• Representative Shane Cultra, Onarga
• Representative Bill Mitchell, Forsyth
• Representative Donald Moffitt, Gilson
• Representative Rich Myers, Colchester
• Representative David Reis, Willow Hill
• Representative Keith Sommer, Morton
• Assistant House Republican Leader Ron Stephens, Greenville

                                                      

 

Brady was joined by several of his colleagues during press conferences in Marion, Champaign, Peoria, Moline and Rockford.

 

“I am grateful to my colleagues in the General Assembly for their support for my campaign, because together we are working to make Illinois a great state once again,” said Brady.  “As Governor, I will need them working by my side to build a New Illinois that ensures greater opportunity for all Illinoisans and a future of promise and prosperity for our children and grandchildren.”

Brady Unveils Education Reform Package

Supports eliminating cap on charter schools, higher tuition tax credits, vouchers and abolishing the State Board of Education

 

Sen. Bill Brady, Republican Candidate for Governor, unveiled a comprehensive education reform package today to give parents a greater choice in their children’s education and to better prepare Illinois students for college educations and 21st Century vocations and careers.

“Just as Illinois is economically challenged today with jobs leaving the state, so are we educationally challenged by not giving our students greater opportunities to receive the best education possible,” said Brady.  “We must give our students a better education so they are ready and able to become productive members of our workforce.  We must innovate, build on success and eliminate barriers that serve the educational bureaucracy, not our students.”

Brady’s plan includes lifting the limit on charter schools, increasing tuition tax credits, empowering school boards and parents to enact voucher programs and giving high school students the opportunity to earn a community college associate’s degree before they graduate.

“We need to give local school districts, parents and students a greater voice in education,” said Brady.  “We need to work to ensure the greatest chance for success for every Illinois school and every Illinois student.”

“My plan to reform education in Illinois starts with a clean break from the rigid educational structure of today with the elimination of the State Board of Education,” said Brady of Bloomington.  “Doing so will give local school officials, teachers and parents a greater voice in the operation of their local schools.”  ?

“I will restructure our educational bureaucracy by creating a streamlined, efficient and smaller department truly accountable to the Governor and thereby the people of Illinois.  This downsized department under the Governor will administer the financial disbursement of resources, helping school districts in a way that will ensure more dollars go to the classroom and not to educational administration expense.” ?

Brady’s plan for greater parental involvement and greater student achievement includes:

• Eliminating the cap on charter schools in Illinois, allowing an unlimited number of charter schools to operate in Illinois at any given time.  Doing away with the cap would also lift the geographic constraints currently imposed on charter schools.  Current legislation limits the number of charter schools to 120 at one time — 70 in Chicago, 45 for the rest of the state and 5 devoted to re-enrolled high school drop-outs. 

 

• Increasing tuition tax credits by 50 percent a year.  As it stands now, an eligible Illinois household can receive a maximum $500 in education expense tax credits a year.

 

• Empowering school boards by action or parents by referendum to open their school district to vouchers, allowing state tax dollars to follow the student.  The voucher would be at a minimum level equal to the pupil state support of that school district.

 

• Allowing every high school student in Illinois the opportunity to achieve in their high school years a two-year associate degree through cooperative efforts between the state’s 49 community college districts and regional offices of education.  This would ensure students graduate with a better education and more prepared to pursue a higher education in a four-year institution or enter the workforce.

“For far too long, our state has fallen behind nationally and internationally,” said Brady.  “We have graduated students, in many cases, with a subpar education and a lack of skills needed for the workplace today.  We can accelerate our students’ chance at success with a program that integrates our secondary schools and our community colleges.”

Brady unveiled his plan at the Chicago International Charter School’s West Belden Campus, a K-8th grade institution in Chicago’s Austin-Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

“West Belden is a shining example of the educational opportunities Illinois children need and deserve,” said Brady, the only candidate with business and legislative experience.

Brady also reiterated his support for preserving the home school system.  ?

“As Governor, I will continue to ensure that parents who decide to school their children at home remain independent of state oversight and free of any bureaucratic requirements,” said Brady.  “I will do all I can to make Illinois the strongest supported home school state in the nation.”

Brady Calls for Public Disclosure of State’s Unpaid Bills

 Legislation would require Comptroller to make public who and what state owes

Illinois Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, unveiled legislation today that would require Illinois’ Comptroller to post the state’s bills from vendors online and pay them in the order in which they are received.  

“We need a clean break from the politics and policies of the past,” said Brady of Bloomington.  “Governor Quinn says he advocates open government but there is nothing open about the way our state currently pays its bills.”  

Under Brady’s proposal, state agencies would have ten days to submit a bill to the Comptroller for payment or return it to the vendor if corrections or adjustments are needed.  The Comptroller would then be required to pay the bill in the order in which it was received, except in emergency payment situations in which the Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer could agree to move a bill ahead in line.  

“We need to ensure the process for paying vendors is fair,” said Brady.  “We also need to safeguard against any potential favoritism in the payment system.  We are delaying payments and balancing the budget on the backs of vendors who provide essential state services, Many of the state’s vendors are being forced to borrow on their own to cover operating expenses because the state is lagging in meeting its fiscal obligations.  Those vendors deserve to know where they fall in the line of payments and have at least an estimate of when they will be paid.”

 
Furthermore, Brady’s proposal would require the Comptroller to post all state bills on its website within five days of receipt.  The bills would be posted in the order they are received, as well as searchable by date and name of vendor.  

“With $3 billion in unpaid bills, I believe Illinois residents have a right to know what the state owes, how much and to whom we owe it,” said Brady.  “On the same note, vendors are entitled to know when they will be paid and that the system for payment is fair.”

Brady will introduce the legislation to the General Assembly and is also calling on Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes to take action on his own.    

“I don’t think we should have to wait for legislation to be passed,” said Brady.  “I think the Comptroller should post this information on the internet today, because it is the right thing to do for the good of Illinois.”

Brady Files First for Governor

Downstate Brady Collects Signatures From Every Illinois County

Springfield, IL – Republican Sen. Bill Brady was the first candidate to file candidate petitions for Governor Monday at the State Board of Elections in Springfield for the February 2nd Primary Election.

Filing the maximum 10,000 signatures candidates for Governor can file, Brady was pleased with his campaign’s performance.

“I’m proud to have collected signatures from every single county in this state,” said Brady. “I plan to be a Governor for all of Illinois, and having signatures from every county in Illinois reflects the work we’ve put into the campaign for the last several years and shows our strength as an organization.”

Brady emphasized his volunteer effort.

“Literally hundreds of volunteers across this state collected close to 15,000 signatures for our campaign, and that support continues to grow,” he added. “Voters are looking for a clean break from the politics of the past, and I am ecstatic that volunteers in every part of Illinois put me on the ballot.”

Brady Launches Statewide Tour to Bring Jobs Back to Illinois

Plan includes tax credits for businesses that create new jobs

Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, launched a statewide jobs tour in Chicago today unveiling his plan to bring jobs back to Illinois and keep more jobs from leaving the state.

“We need a clean break from the anti-business mentality of the past,” said Brady, the only candidate with both business and legislative experience. “We need to reduce the cost of doing business in Illinois and make Illinois competitive again.”

Brady made the announcement today at 83rd and Stewart in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, the proposed site for the city’s second Wal-Mart. Sen. Brady introduced legislation in May that would allow the store, and other big box retailers like it, to be built despite roadblocks in the Chicago City Council. In addition to construction jobs, each mega-retailer location would generate an estimated 400 new jobs.

Brady’s jobs plan includes:
* Spurring job creation by allowing a new 10 percent tax credit, up to $2,100, for businesses that create new jobs in Illinois, supplementing Illinois’ EDGE tax credit.
* Retaining jobs in Illinois and attracting new investment by lowering the cost of doing business in Illinois, including cutting taxes and fees by a billion dollars by eliminating the sales tax on gasoline, rolling back the $300 million in business taxes and fees imposed by the Blagojevich administration and eliminating the state estate tax.
* Balancing Illinois’ budget and living within our means by implementing managed care for Medicaid recipients, abolishing the bureaucracy of the State Board of Education, eliminating high priced administrators and excessive overtime in the Department of Corrections and lowering the cost of workers compensation in Illinois.
* Dedicating the motor fuel tax to preserving and modernizing Illinois’ infrastructure in an on-going capital improvements program.

“Our unemployment rate is now the highest in the last quarter century. Illinois has lost 700,000 jobs in the last ten years,” said Brady. “Only Ohio and Michigan have lost more jobs than we have. Illinois ranks 48th in the nation in economic development. That is not a blueprint for success and prosperity for Illinois. I will bring jobs back for Illinois and Illinois families and make Illinois work again.”

The Illinois unemployment rate in September rose to 10.5 percent, the state’s highest rate since October 1983. Nationally, the September unemployment rate increased to 9.8 percent.

“The people of Illinois deserve a leader who understands the bottom line,” said Brady, a Bloomington businessman, “and they deserve a leader who will fight for their economic security.”

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