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Brady is first Downstate leader since ‘09

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Illinois

The fact that state Sen. BILL BRADY, R-Bloomington, will bring a downstate voice to top General Assembly leadership is being welcomed by some of his colleagues. […]

“People from downstate bring a different perspective to the legislative process,” said Rep. TIM BUTLER, R-Springfield, whose 87th House District is part of Brady’s 44th Senate District. […]

“I’m personally not one that denigrates Cook County and the city of Chicago,” Butler said. “I try very hard not to. I think the city itself is a wonderful city. … I would like to see some of the politics of Cook County change, but obviously, Chicago is a vital part of our state.”

Rep. SARA WOJCICKI JIMENEZ, R-Leland Grove, who represents some parts of Springfield that Brady does not, said she has always looked up to Radogno and considers her courageous. But with her leaving, Jimenez said, she thinks Brady’s ascension to leadership “could be great for us here in Sangamon County.” She said he is “someone who lives not too far from us in Springfield and has a lot of the same issues and concerns that we do.”

Brady is the first truly Downstate legislative leader since Frank Watson led the Senate GOP Caucus (Tom Cross was from exurbia). Watson retired in 2009. And like Radogno before him, Brady is the only legislative leader who isn’t an attorney.

* But there’s something else to consider that a friend pointed out to me yesterday. All four legislative leaders are now white, male, financially well-off Irish-Americans.

posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:39 pm

Comments

== All four legislative leaders are now white, male, financially well-off Irish-Americans. ==

Make it a quintet, vote Kennedy!

Comment by Roman Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:44 pm
too bad their not all Irish catholic democrats…we could rule the world!

Comment by FLEA Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:48 pm
If they were all democrats half of them would be ineligible to be minority leader.

Comment by The Other Anonymous Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:50 pm
With all well to do Irish dudes there, it would seem the tonic to get this thing settled while watching a ballgame would be utterly obvious.

Roll in the elixir! lol

Comment by A guy Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:52 pm
And for good measure a bushel o’apples.

Comment by A guy Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:53 pm
Let’s hope it brings the luck of the Irish with em.

Comment by Saluki Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 12:58 pm
You know the Irish all stick together.

Comment by Michael Westen Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:31 pm
Michael W. You’ve heard of Northern Ireland,haven’t you?

Comment by A guy Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:43 pm
“Brady is the first truly Downstate legislative leader since Frank Watson”

“downstate” - not even close

Comment by Anonymous Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:52 pm
The downstate element, (albeit Bloomington-Normal, Springfield), I feel, is a much needed element to the Leaders and Governors (nut just Rauner or Quinn) need in formulating concensus.

When the “Cutback” Anendment happened, we ALL lost Republicans from Chicago, Democrats from all the Collars, and “purple” mixes in central and downstate representation.

Hopefully Leader-Designate Brady can be like the “3-member” districts were not all that long ago, an attempt to hand more voices heard, in all regions, of both parties.

It’s a good thing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:59 pm
The Irish have come a long ways since they entered Ellis Island.

Comment by Mama Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Brady’s staple is to blame Chicago and Madigan. It is his regular mantra every time I have heard him speak, that and we need to cut public employee pay and benefits.

That is every single time.

He is fairly obtuse, I see no hope for change from Brady.

Comment by JS Mill Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 3:17 pm
Brady was one that thought we should have fewer state universities and that they should find their own funding not state dollars. He is a product of nonpublic education–Catholic schools and Illinois Wesleyan. So those of us who are for public k-12 schools and state universities have not had very successful discussions with him. You show up, he tells you what he sees, thanks you for coming and shows you the door. His mind is made up already. Very pro vouchers, etc.

So, where is the room for compromise?

Comment by Nearly Normal Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 4:32 pm
oh sure, all Irish, but from which counties? and I don’t mean in Illinois.

Comment by Amalia Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 6:22 pm