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* Sen. Brady’s family is in a cyclical business, and home building and housing development have been hit extremely hard over the past several years. These things happen in business…
State Sen. Bill Brady, his two brothers and three of their real estate development companies and are being sued for about $2.4 million by a bank that says they defaulted on 13 loans.
First Financial Bank acquired Freestar Bank, formerly known as Pontiac National Bank, as of Jan. 1, 2012. It contends Bill, Ed and Bob Brady guaranteed loans made to their companies, Brew of Illinois LLC, Pinehurst Development LLC and Web Construction Co., from 2006 to 2010.
The lawsuit, which was filed June 27 in McLean County Circuit Court, was scheduled for a Dec. 6 case management conference. It seeks unpaid balances of $2.38 million, additional interest and legal fees.
More…
The loans ranged in size from $1.2 million to Pinehurst in 2010, to $66,937 to Web Construction in 2008, according to the lawsuit. Ed, Bill and Bob Brady are listed as guarantors — or financial backers — on at least 12 of the loans, the lawsuit claims.
It probably doesn’t matter how understandable this is to people like me. If Brady’s companies don’t turn around by the time he runs for governor again, he won’t be able to position himself as a trustworthy, business-tested manager.
* Other stuff…
* Analysis: In the U.S. housing market, recovery or Lost Decade?
* Judge OKs Tribune Co. exit from bankruptcy
* Tribune restructuring plan approved
* Midway Airport’s privatization prospects still unclear, despite new contract award
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 10:35 am
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I don’t think it matters at this point whether or not his companies turn around. He’s been sued for defaulting on loans…how does he argue he’s the guy to get Illinois out of its financial mess?
This is great news for “Schock for Illinois.”
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 10:52 am
That’s the way that business goes. Somewhat surprised they gave personal guarantees at those levels.
I don’t think Schock will run for governor. He’s young, on Ways and Means, in the majority and can live the Washington life (which, right now, means doing nothing).
Why trade that in for the nasty, heavy lifting of being governor?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:03 am
Brady could be a wildly successful businessman, he would still have no chance because a) he doesn’t get how incompetent he looks to people in the chicago suburbs b) he doesn’t get how much he turns off moderate suburban voters. He’d be a great candidate for governor of tennessee. Not Illinois.
As for schock-the country has already seen what his six (pack) point plan is.
Comment by Shore Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:04 am
So the bank is suing to enforce the terms of its contract with the other party…hrrrmmm. Oh right, state employees are suing too.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:05 am
As PublicServant kind of points out, he might be perfect; by then the State will be embroiled in lots more lawsuits and he’ll have plenty of experience in being sued.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:10 am
Knowing these 3 guys, I feel bad for them and their families. As far as Bill as a governor: it would be a huge mistake for him and Illinois and hopefully this will wake him from his fantasy. (Yes, I am a republican from Mclean County)
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:35 am
This will cost Brady his next run for governor on the GOP ticket. It is probably a “blessing in disguise” to the GOP voters in Illinois. Otherwise, the Illinois Republican Party leadership would try and trot him out on stage once again. Bill Brady is a good guy but if he can’t run his own personal business affairs successfully, why would I as a voter trust him to run the state of Illinois successfully? There is still a negative stigma attached to declaring bankruptcy whether it be legal and unintentional or not. It is like “welching on a bet” even though it may be “legal” to do so.
This recent turn of events will open the GOP gate to somebody else to carry on as the Illinois GOP standard bearer for governor. If Romney isn’t elected in November (though I believe he will be), this will probably leave Dan Rutherford as the GOP odds on favorite in the Primary. If Romney is elected in November, I look for Rutherford to be asked by Romney to serve in some capacity on a national level in Romney’s new administration.
Personally, I happen to like Dan Proft but he hasn’t given any indication that he intends to seek political office again. I (and quite a few other conservative Republicans) would like to see Dan Proft run against Dick Durbin when his term in office is over.
Comment by Phineas Fogg Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:53 am
Distressed to hear that Brady is even thinking of running for governor again. Sorry about the business problems but sorry for Illinois if he runs again. We badly need a moderate Republican who can end one party rule in Illinois.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 12:01 pm
@wordslinger -
I think Schock will make a run for the very same reason he spends so much time on national media and in the gym working on his abs: he likes the attention.
Really, there are very few differences and many similarities between Schock and Rod, which is what makes them both such great candidates and such dismal leaders.
Talking points? Check.
Fundraising? Check.
Vanity? Check.
Solutions? Uh-oh.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 12:01 pm
Well, I’m not usually in the business of sticking up for Schock, but if Pat Quinn and Mike Madigan and the Democrat Party of Illinois are offering us “solutions”, then pack your bags and hurry home, Aaron.
As for Bill Brady, please get over yourself. You squandered an historic opportunity. If you couldn’t get it done in 2010, it will NEVER happen. Hopefully, this will end the fantasy once and for all.
Comment by LincolnLounger Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 12:18 pm
Cassandra - Shockingly, I agree with you. There also needs to be a way to end Madigan’s reign of terror before we can return to real 2 party rule, though.
Comment by lincolnlover Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 12:21 pm
Democratic Party. Sheesh. What’s with all the Tea Party Speak on this site today?
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 1:11 pm
No way Brady recovers from this, at least not until he psys off every penny. You can’t just chalk this up to “this happens in business.” He was out over his skis. I get that business is cyclical– so are government revenues. The folks you want in charge are the prudent managers who plan for the worst case scenario.
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 1:26 pm
Government is NOT a business.
Comment by Brendan Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 2:25 pm
“The folks you want in charge are the prudent managers who plan for the worst case scenario”….like Pat Quinn and Mike Madigan? They have been planning for the worst case since the 1970’s and now it’s here.
Comment by Backwards Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 2:36 pm
The Bradys are experiencing what nearly every real estate developer in the USA (and Europe) has experienced as a result of the Great Recession. Because the real estate market has been sunk and flat for four plus years, all of these highly leveraged businesses have been pummelled, including dunning from lenders who cannot be repaid. The situation does not reflect on Bill Brady’s aptitude to be a successful, pro-business, growth-economy governor at all. However, one acknowledges the political reality: all opponents will throw this in his face if not resolved, reaping the benefit of influencing those who neither have the time, inclination, nor care to understand the circumstances.
Comment by Conservative Republican Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 2:50 pm
I have been acquainted with Bill Brady since 1979. I have never known him to be anything other than a totally straight guy. I am sorry to hear of his recent difficulties and hope that things will improve for him. My 30-year-old mental image of Bill Brady is that of a “boy next door” sort of guy and this image was formed long before he would have been inclined to fake anything. He is no Chicago politician…That’s for sure!!
I would agree with those who hope for a Republican who can take on the dominant Democrat power structure of Illinois….and win against them, for the good of the whole state.
Comment by JoeVerdeal Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 6:15 pm
Rutherford has been running hard for governor for months now, if you listen to him on WLS, it’s like an undeclared candidacy, with Proft and company as his shills.
Comment by Newsclown Monday, Jul 16, 12 @ 11:00 pm
@Conservative Republican -
Getting sued for not paying your bills while you have a fancy home and car in the Tropics?
Good luck.
Brady won’t even be able to raise enough money to put together an exploratory committee.
Let’s not forget the other big, obvious beneficiary: Dan Rutherford.
On the bright side, perhaps Senate Republicans will tone down their rhetoric on fiscal responsibility just a notch. It seems some humility is in order.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 17, 12 @ 5:10 am