Sen. Brady named to Senate Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability

[NOV. 25, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, has been named to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability by Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville.

Brady will replace state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin, who is leaving the Senate in January.

"The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reviews public policy issues ranging from the state budget to public pension systems," Brady said. "These issues are important to all Illinois citizens and are especially challenging given this administration's fiscal decisions and the wrong direction it is headed in terms of economic development and jobs growth."

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability was created in 1972 by the 77th General Assembly to provide the legislature with research and information regarding state and national economies, revenue projections, and operations of Illinois government. In 1979, the commission was further charged by the 81st General Assembly with monitoring the long-term debt position of Illinois.

The commission reports to the General Assembly on economic trends in relation to long-range planning and budgeting. The commission also reviews the laws and practices relating to public pensions, retirement and disability benefits for people serving in state or local government, their survivors and dependents.

The four legislative leaders appoint three members each to the 12-member commission. Other current members are Sens. Jeffrey M. Schoenberg, Don Harmon, Christine Radogno, David Syverson and Donne Trotter, and Reps. Terry R. Parke, Mark Beaubien, Frank Mautino, Robert Molaro, Richard Myers and Elaine Nekritz. Co-chairmen of the commission are Schoenberg and Parke.

Brady had eight years of experience on the Economic and Fiscal Commission when he served in the House of Representatives.

He is currently the chairman of a Senate Republican task force formed in June to take a closer look at the politically charged and increasingly litigious process that is all too common in determining health facility construction and modification. The Senate Republican Health Facilities Planning Board Task Force has been conducting public hearings throughout the state in recent months.

[News release from Sen. Bill Brady]