Senator Bill Brady Reacts to Governor Rauner’s State of the State Address

[January 28, 2016]   SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rauner laid out an ambitious path forward for 2016 during his annual State of the State Address, and I look forward to working with the governor and legislators to passing meaningful reforms.

Despite accomplishments in 2015 such as agreeing to unemployment insurance reforms, fixing the FY2015 budget hole, and recommending a multitude of reforms to reduce wasteful spending and inefficiency, there is much work that needs to be done.

Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the nation. High property taxes stifle middle class income and small businesses. As a small business owner myself, I understand the need for property tax relief. Additionally, high property taxes are a major cause of the outmigration of our citizens. We must also give local governments the ability to control their costs. Local control enables communities to determine the costs of contracting and collective bargaining agreements, which in turn enables them to be more competitive with surrounding states.

As we worked to find potential buyers for the Mitsubishi plant in Normal, we continually heard from those businesses their concerns about the high cost of doing business in Illinois, primarily our high property taxes and our workers’ compensation costs. We must find common ground on this issue to reduce the cost of doing business in Illinois.

I firmly believe Illinois needs term limits and redistricting reform. As Governor Rauner stated today, the voters should choose their legislators; it should not be the other way around. Term limits are very popular with both Democrats and Republicans, and they ensure the framer’s beliefs in a citizen legislature are upheld. In order to expand our tax base and recruit businesses that bring high-paying jobs to Illinois we must pass structural reforms that will fundamentally change the way Illinois government conducts business.

In 2013 I was one of the chief co-sponsors on the pension reform bill that passed both chambers in 2013 but was ultimately struck down by the State Supreme Court. Illinois’ pension backlog is over $111 billion. I agree with the Governor and President Cullerton that we need substantial pension reform without diminishing the benefits of current retirees. Currently pension obligations consume nearly one-quarter of the state’s budget, which diverts much-needed funds away from other top priorities.

Despite the current impasse, I remain optimistic for the future of Illinois. Governor Rauner laid out a reasonable, substantial agenda, and I am committed to passing the necessary reforms in order to return our great state to the fiscal prosperity that its citizens deserve.

[Office of Senator Bill Brady]