 "Illinois faces a number
of tough challenges after years of state government gridlock and
failed leadership. Our state has been adrift far too long," Brady
said. "Our main concern is addressing the terrible state of our
finances, and we need to work together. All lawmakers must be
allowed to play a larger role in cutting state spending. We also
want to foster private-sector economic job creation for the
hardworking families of Illinois. The current administration must
rethink its ongoing siege on our state's business climate. We need
to restore the confidence of businesses -- like Caterpillar in
Peoria -- that provide jobs for our citizens."
The 44th District senator has introduced legislation addressing
several key issues -- health care (SB 3608), budget (SB 2489), the
General Assembly Scholarship program (SB 2914, SB 2932) and amending
the Illinois Constitution (SJRCA 16).
The deadline to introduce legislation for the 2012 legislative
session was Feb. 10.
One Brady bill (SB 2489) would stop Gov. Pat Quinn from using
charitable donations to pay the state's bills.
Senate Bill 2489 would protect taxpayer contributions to income
tax checkoff funds from being "swept" by the governor. The
administration borrowed $1.176 million from 11 tax checkoff funds
during fiscal 2011.
"Years of 'tax-borrow-and-spend' fiscal mismanagement have
brought Illinois to the sad state of affairs that, despite a 67
percent income tax increase forced through by Democrat leaders in
January 2011, the governor had to use funds donated by taxpayers to
charitable organizations to pay the state's bills. The
administration says the money has been repaid, but it should never
have been borrowed in the first place," Brady said. "This is not the
state's money."
Senate Bill 2489 has been assigned to the Senate Revenue
Committee.
Another bill (SB 3608) would dissolve the Health Facilities and
Services Review Board, which regulates medical services and
construction of medical facilities throughout Illinois.
"The board has been at the center of controversy for many years,
tainted by the corrupt influence-peddling of some of its former
members during the Blagojevich administration who were ultimately
convicted of seeking to enrich themselves at the public expense,"
said Brady. "Over the years, I have introduced a number of bills
designed to make the kinds of changes that would help restore the
public's confidence in the board's actions and activities.
"My efforts have been stonewalled on a number of fronts, however,
which leads me to believe that the best course would be to disband
the board completely," he added. "Perhaps it is time to give private
investors more opportunity to develop health care facilities without
undue governmental interference and provide the citizens of Illinois
with better access to quality health care facilities in their
communities."
Senate Bill 3608 awaits assignment to a legislative committee.
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 Another measure (SB 2825) would provide for the issuance of
Illinois Nurses license plates. A portion of the money earned from
the sale of the license plates would be used as grants to the
Illinois Nurses Foundation to advance the nursing profession.
Senate Bill 2825 has been assigned to the Senate Transportation
Committee.
Two bills co-sponsored by Brady (SB 2914,
SB 2932) would
eliminate the General Assembly Legislative Scholarship program.
"While at least in my case, these scholarships have always gone
to worthy and qualified students, another recent downgrade in the
state's bond rating and a lack of support for reforming or
abolishing the program from Democrats in the General Assembly have
prompted me to terminate awarding scholarships to students in my
district," Brady said. "In these difficult economic times for
Illinois and our colleges and universities, we must look at every
opportunity to maximize the use of our resources."
The 44th District senator is also co-sponsoring legislation that:
High speed rail (SR
404): Urges Congress to fully fund Amtrak
and the high-speed rail program.
Transparency (SB 3682): Calls for greater transparency via
direct citizen access to an Internet database about state jobs.
Voter fraud (SB 3750): Requires photographs on voter
registration identification cards.
Collective bargaining (SB 3777): Requires legislative
approval of collective bargaining agreements between the governor
and state employee labor unions.
Marriage (SJRCA 16): Calls for an amendment to the Illinois
Constitution to state that only marriage between a man and a woman
is valid or recognized in Illinois.
Adoption (SB 2495): Allows a child welfare agency that is
religiously based to decline an adoption or foster family home
application from individuals in a civil union.
Energy (SR 585): Expresses the concerns of the Senate over
the decision of the Illinois Commerce Commission regarding the
Chicago Clean Energy project, and asks that the commission rehear
the matter.
[Text from file sent on behalf
of
Sen.
Bill Brady by
Illinois Senate Republican staff]
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