Senator Bill Brady today said a report that Illinois lost nearly 18,000 jobs last month is “more disastrous news for the people of Illinois” and underscores a failure by Governor Quinn to rebuild Illinois’ economy.

“Our families and our employers are paying the price for a decade of debt, deficit and despair. Governor Quinn and the Democrat leadership in Illinois continue to drive jobs away from Illinois with their high-tax, anti-business agenda,” said Brady (R., Bloomington).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday Illinois reported 17,800 fewer jobs in March when compared to February. In the last five years, federal jobs statistics show more than 220,000 jobs have been lost.

In addition, Illinois’ unemployment rate stands at 9.5 percent, the fourth highest in the country and higher than all other Midwestern states.

“The business community is looking for stability and predictability, and they’re not seeing that in Illinois with our fiscal problems, our unfunded pension liability and our $10 billion of unpaid bills,” Brady said.

“Under Governor Quinn, Wall Street has lost confidence in Illinois and cut our credit rating 11 times -- more than half the total downgrades in our state’s entire history. And under Governor Quinn, we have amassed more than $9 billion in unpaid bills, despite his 67 percent income tax increase that is taking a week’s salary out of the pockets of every working man and woman in Illinois, for those lucky enough to still be working.”

“It’s no wonder that governors of other states, such as Texas Governor Rick Perry, are trying to poach our jobs and our workers,” Brady said. “We can turn Illinois around with a business climate that encourages investment and job growth, but it will take leadership we have not seen from Governor Quinn and the Democrats in Springfield.”

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The federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals this week ruled that the Illinois ban on concealed carry is unconstitutional and ordered the General Assembly and Governor to enact a law within the next 180 days allowing our law-abiding citizens to carry firearms.

Barring an appeal of the ruling by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, concealed carry will certainly be one of the dominant issues when the legislature returns to Springfield in January.

The court’s welcome ruling is a recognition that law-abiding citizens in Illinois have a right to defend and protect themselves, just as the citizens of the 49 other states do. In today’s society, men and women should have an opportunity to be as safe on the streets as they are in their own homes.

I would hope that all Illinois officials use their energy to craft a concealed carry law with appropriate safeguards that will make Illinois the model for implementation of concealed carry laws, rather than using those resources to appeal the court’s ruling.

I have consistently supported measures to allow our citizens to carry concealed weapons and will work with my colleagues in the legislature to write a law that meets that goal as well as to provide for safe enforcement of it. We can draw on the laws and experiences of every other state to provide a comprehensive law that doesn’t put undue or over-reaching restraints on the women and men who own firearms in Illinois.

Already there are predictions that concealed carry would turn Illinois into the wild, wild West or allow gun owners to carry assault weapons on major Chicago thoroughfares if the General Assembly did not act. Other states have dealt with this Second Amendment issue rationally and reasonably. I am certain Illinois can too for the safety and protection of our families.

BRADY SUPPORTS RESTRICTED DRIVER’S LICENSES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS;

ADDED LANGUAGE TO BILL TO STIPULATE CAN'T BE USED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES

SPRINGFIELD -- Senator Bill Brady said today he will support legislation to improve traffic safety and lower insurance costs for Illinois motorists by permitting undocumented immigrants to obtain temporary visitors drivers licenses already allowed for many other foreign-born individuals.

At Brady’s urging, language is included in the bill to stipulate that the temporary visitors driver’s licenses cannot be used for purposes of identification, such as registering to vote, boarding an airplane or purchasing a firearm.

“I am pleased that the sponsors of the legislation and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights addressed my concerns and agreed that the temporary visitors licenses should include notification in bold type that they cannot be used for identification purposes,” said Brady, an Assistant Senate Republican Leader from Bloomington.

Brady said he decided to support and co-sponsor the legislation because of valid economic arguments for licensing an estimated 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Illinois. Other states which have implemented similar provisions, such as Utah, have seen dramatic numbers of their undocumented immigrants become licensed and purchase the required auto insurance.

“Without licenses, our law enforcement officers cannot check their driving records, and without licenses, Illinois motorists are footing the bill for their uninsured motor vehicle accidents,” Brady said.

“This isn’t just an issue in the City of Chicago. It’s also an issue in the suburbs and Downstate areas where the Latino population is growing.”

The legislation will require the undocumented immigrants to provide proof of their identity and Illinois residency, pass a driver’s test and to carry automobile insurance. The cost of the temporary visitors driver’s licenses will be about $30, the same as for regular driver’s licenses.

"We are excited that the highway safety legislation continues to receive bipartisan support from legislators who understand the need to keep our roads and families safe," said ICIRR's CEO Lawrence Benito.

Senator Brady’s Pro-Jobs Record

Recognized by State Business Groups

Senator Bill Brady has been recognized by two leading state business organizations for his support of pro-jobs policies and his work to provide greater economic opportunities for Illinois families.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce named him a 2012 “Champion of Free Enterprise” and the National Federation of Independent Business/Illinois gave him its “Guardian of Small Business” award for his legislative votes and efforts to strengthen the state jobs climate.

Chamber President and CEO Doug Whitley said Brady and other legislators “demonstrated a serious commitment to government reforms that are essential to reversing our state’s negative image for excessive political corruption and anti-business policies.”

NFIB State Director Kim Clarke Maisch said, “Everyone is focused on the national election and that’s very important, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that small businesses are affected very directly by what comes out of Springfield . Small business owners can look around at Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio and see real reforms that make it easier for their counterparts to compete.”

“These organizations are dedicated to promoting a stronger economy in Illinois, and I’m honored by their recognition,” said Brady, Assistant Senate Republican Leader.

“I’m focused on helping reform Illinois’ business and government policies so that our companies can grow and our families can prosper. Fiscal stability, rather than over-taxing, over-borrowing and over-spending, is critical to our success in making Illinois an attractive state for business investment and growth.”

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BRADY INTRODUCES RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS

TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Springfield – State Senator Bill Brady has introduced a resolution in the General Assembly urging Congress to act to safeguard the First Amendment by overturning an order of the Obama Administration mandating  religious-affiliated institutions to provide specific insurance coverages.

“This is an argument about the rights of many faiths and their practitioners throughout this country to exercise their right of conscience and religious freedoms without interference from the federal government,” said Brady (R., Bloomington).  “This is not an argument about contraception.”

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has issued an order directing American employers, including religious organizations and religious-affiliated institutions, to provide specific insurance coverage as part of the Affordable Health Care Act.

“The required practices directly contravene the teachings and beliefs of many religious dominations and their practitioners,” Brady said.  “Our Constitution protects the free exercise of religion, and many believe President Obama’s directive is an assault on the religious liberty of every American who practices those faiths.”

Brady said the Obama Administration’s actions will impact the ability of many religious-affiliated schools, universities and health care facilities to continue to provide services to their employees and families and to people of faith.

Brady’s resolution, introduced Monday afternoon, is Senate Joint Resolution 60.  (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=60&GAID=11&DocTypeID=SJR&LegId=66816&SessionID=84&GA=97)

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