Press Releases

Chicago – Pointing to his strong support for public safety, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police today endorsed Bill Brady for Illinois Governor.

“Throughout his political career, Bill Brady has worked to earn the respect of the law enforcement community,” said FOP president Ted Street.  “He understands that our peace officers are the frontline of defense in both criminal defense and homeland security.”

Brady said he is committed to running professional law enforcement agencies and supporting laws to effectively fight crime in the state.

“I can’t think of a greater and more humbling honor than to receive the formal support of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our lives,” he said.  “As the military protects us from threats overseas, those of you in uniform here get up each day and risk your lives to protect our safety at home.”

Brady said he believes the first mission of government is to protect people.

“I recognize that law enforcement is at the intersection of confronting new and evolving challenges of domestic terrorism, street violence, and the growth of emerging drug trade such as meth,” he said.  “I am committed to ensuring that you have the best information and intelligence available in real time to do your job.  And the best training, resources and equipment to do your job as well.”

Brady committed to relying on the advice and judgment of professionals in the law enforcement community – including the FOP – when making public safety decisions.

He pointed to the secret early release program of Governor Quinn’s administration as one of many examples of the need for new law enforcement leadership in Illinois.

Brady has also received endorsements from major business organizations.

Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) is a small business owner who has represented his community as state Senator since 2002.  He is running for governor to bring a clean break to Illinois and build a job-growing environment.  More information can be found at bradyforilliois.com.

Chicago: Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady today launched a two-day, statewide tour highlighting a comprehensive new plan to make Illinois more competitive, and to help create more jobs for families across our state.

Brady kicked off his jobs tour at Lapham-Hickey Steel in Chicago, where he also received the endorsement of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association.

“The greatest concern of the people of Illinois is jobs - and so is mine,” said Brady.

“The number one priority of the next Governor must be to enact pro-growth policies to help create new jobs, and to protect those we already have.  My jobs plan is the starting point for doing just that.” he said.

Brady’s plan, available at www.bradyforillinois.com, focuses on four key areas:

A MORE STABLE TAX CLIMATE TO HELP JUMPSTART THE ECONOMY

·         A two-year, $3,750 tax credit for businesses - $2,500 in the first year and $1,250 in the second year for every new job created;

·         Modernizing a permanent Research & Development Credit to accelerate high-tech and green jobs;

·         Repealing the death tax that hurts small businesses and family farms; Eliminating the state’s sales tax on gasoline

·         Reinstating the Illinois Modernization and Retooling Program to help manufacturers reinvest in their plants and facilities to improve their competitiveness and stem the tide of lost manufacturing jobs.

·         Opposing a Gross Receipts Tax

·         Creating a Manufacturing Energy Tax Credit

·         Improving the Economic Development For a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program (EDGE) tax credit by making it refundable

LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING

·         A Border Community Task Force, led by Lieutenant Governor candidate Jason Plummer, to identify competitive obstacles and to undertake strategic initiatives to jumpstart economic growth and development at the border community level;

·         The creation of a new Council of Economic Advisors to play a key role in leading Illinois back to prosperity by writing the Economic Development Strategic Plan and coordinating the reorganization of the failed Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity to create an effective economic development agency.

·         An Illinois Capital Improvement Plan outlining what Illinois’ capital needs are, the schedule by which all needs will be addressed, the bonding method to be used, and the sources of funding; and

·         Property Tax Relief to increase the state’s share of funding for elementary and secondary education without increasing taxes.

THREE: A FAIR PLAYING FIELD

·         Tort reform, including reasonable caps on medical malpractice awards; and

·         Improving our Workers’ Compensation system

FOUR: RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO THE BUDGET PROCESS

·         Including a comprehensive drill-down audit of state government to review and assess how tax dollars are spent, and restore fiscal accountability in Springfield.

Brady said his administration would work with both Republicans and Democrats, with business, and academic experts to enact long lasting, pro-growth policies that put Illinois back to work.

“My administration will scrutinize every onerous rule and regulation, every tax, and knock down barriers to make Illinois a better place to do business,” he said.

Brady (R-Bloomington) is a small business owner who has represented his community as state Senator since 2002.  He is running for governor to bring a clean break to Illinois and build a job-growing environment.  More information can be found at www.bradyforillinois.com.

First Fall Ad Shows Brady Committed to Jobs, Fighting Taxes

Springfield – Brady for Illinois today released its first fall television ad of the campaign against tax and spending Governor Pat Quinn.

The new ad, called “A Better Illinois,” begins airing today on broadcast and cable stations statewide.

The ad highlights Bill Brady’s commitment to solving our fiscal crisis without raising taxes, and to enacting a pro-growth agenda that creates real jobs for families in Illinois.

Click here to watch the ad.

Chicago – Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady today said Governor Pat Quinn’s firing of the state’s Executive Inspector General on the very day he learned of an ethics probe involving his chief of staff suggests he’s focused on politics, not jobs during our fiscal crisis.

“In the middle of a recession, people need a governor focused on creating jobs and cleaning up state government,” said Brady.  “Instead, Governor Quinn has gone down the same road of his predecessors - ethical lapses, investigations, and protecting political insiders at taxpayer expense.”

“Illinois lost 20 thousand jobs last month alone,” he said.  “This latest revelation proves we won’t ever solve our fiscal crisis under a governor consumed by politics, not jobs,” he said.

Questions over the firing of the state’s top ethics official are the latest in a string of published reports that call into question the Governor’s commitment to government reform, and the priorities of his Administration.

Previous examples include:

·         Secret pay raises for political appointees, including his Budget Director

·         Questionable use of official state time and resources for his political campaign

·         Supporting the honesty and integrity of convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich months after federal officials revealed their investigation

·         Quietly signing a video poker bill to allow known criminals into gambling against the recommendation of the Gaming Commission

·         Failing to support the recommendations of his own reform commission

·         Keeping a majority of Rod Blagojevich’s officials in top government positions

·         Vetoing McPier reforms

Brady (R-Bloomington) is a small business owner who has represented his community as state Senator since 2002.  He is running for governor to bring a clean break to Illinois and build a job-growing environment.  More information can be found at bradyfor illinois.com.

Jerry Clarke, Brady for Illinois Campaign Manager, released the following statement today;

“This is yet another stunning report involving the administration of Governor Pat Quinn.  Today’s revelation suggests that on the very day Pat Quinn was confronted with evidence by the Inspector General of an ethics violation, Pat Quinn put his political interests before citizens yet again and fired the Inspector General himself.  This disturbing report leads to a myriad of questions that the citizens of Illinois deserve to have answered."