Education

The Bill Brady plan to reform education in Illinois starts with a clean break from the rigid educational structure of today with the transformation of the State Board of Education. Doing so will give local school officials, teachers and parents a greater voice in the operation of their local schools.

Bill will create a downsized department under the Governor to 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.

Bill is an advocate of greater parental choice in education, giving parents and students more opportunity for education outside their neighborhood public schools, either through an increased number of competitive charter schools, which he has sponsored, or increased education tax credits.

The Bill Brady plan supports, if a school district deems it necessary, through board action or citizens initiative, the opportunity to offer tuition scholarships or vouchers to the students in that district to attend a private school. The voucher would be at a minimum level equal to the state support of that school district. Bill believes these programs are important if we are to ensure that our school systems, both private and public, are operated at the highest level of efficiency and excellence.

In higher education, Bill as Governor will restore state funding our state universities and community colleges cut by previous administrations as a means to make a college education more affordable for more Illinois students and provide greater opportunities for ongoing retraining of the state’s workforce. He will also promote programs and partnerships that utilize our higher education system as laboratories for entrepreneurship, innovation and research.

Health Care

Bill believes we need to expand health care. That means giving people options and opportunity.

He has battled the Rezko/Blajojevich corruption on the Health Facilities Planning Board and fought for more modern standards for the Board to use in authorizing construction of hospitals and delivery of medical services.

As Governor, Bill will improve the management of Medicaid so Illinois residents have access at the earliest stages of their illness allowing patients to see their doctors instead of high-cost emergency room visits. By guaranteeing earlier access to Medicaid recipients through a better managed system, Illinois would save approximately $1.2 billion to $1.8 billion and improve access to health care for Medicaid patients.

Bill will also maximize implementation of medical savings accounts as a means to allow people to be more involved in their health care decisions.

Energy

Bill will maximize all state energy opportunities to increase usage and capacity for our abundant natural gas, wind, oil, nuclear, coal, solar, ethanol, and biofuels energy resources. He will also work with energy companies to ensure an electrical grid system for sufficient and reliable delivery.

As Governor, Bill will further reduce Illinois’ dependence on foreign energy by promoting the use of alternative fuel sources.

Environment

Bill will leverage our state’s higher education and private sector institutions to foster clean energy sources which could move Illinois to the forefront of use of green and sustainable energy technologies.

As Governor, he will invest in technologies that utilize waste products for the production of energy. He will maximize the use of Illinois’ coal through new clean coal technologies, including economical clean mine-mouth plants that eliminate coal transportation costs, and work to secure federal dollars to further enhance green models.

Bill will promote and maintain the recreational and economic viability of our parks, wetlands and green spaces and enhance their environmental capabilities.

Public Safety

As Governor, Bill will create a level of cooperation between local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies that enhances communication to immediately respond to disasters and emergency situations and fosters enhanced training and education opportunities.

He opposes the early release of so-called non-violent offenders nearing the end of their terms.  He will also make more efficient use of the resources within our state’s correctional institutions by reducing mandatory overtime and eliminating high level appointees.  Bill believes enhancing safety within our correctional institutions will ensure overall public safety.

Agriculture

As Governor, Bill will work to promote and protect Illinois’ number one industry, including redevelopment of rural communities with new agri-business and selling Illinois-grown products throughout the world.

He will 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.

Bill will also promote Illinois’ livestock and other enhanced agricultural products as a means of boosting Illinois’ economy.

Transportation

Bill will secure motor fuel fund revenues so money isn’t diverted away from maintaining our roads, bridges, airports, railways, locks and dams.

As Governor, he will also fight for federal money to enhance high-speed freight and passenger rail and rebuild our lock and dam system.