Sangamon Sun

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) was selected unanimously by his Republican colleagues to serve as new Illinois Senate Republican leader shortly after Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) announced her retirement. 

“I couldn’t be more proud," Radogno said. "He will be a very capable successor and I wish him all the luck in the world.” 

Brady planned to work with Radogno to ensure a smooth transition. They planned to speak with Senate Leader John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and address the Senate floor for a vote on his appointment.

Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington)

His selection came at a vital time as lawmakers had entered the final hours of the special session to negotiate and vote on a budget and state reforms, and Illinois was facing entering its third year without a budget .

Brady is not letting that daunting tasks trouble him, stating that he has a strong caucus which he believes will bring a solution to the state. 

“The good news is I got a job and … that I got a great caucus behind me, as leader Radogno had, that can help provide a real solution to the state,” Brady said. “There is a lot of important things that we need to get done that we’ve laid on the table. It’s my hope and prayer, frankly, that we can get that done ... to provide the relief and the plan that the people of Illinois need. Our caucus has been working day and night with their Democratic colleagues to get this plan done so that Illinois has something it can work to build on.”

Brady said bipartisan discussions and work that Radogno and his caucus have done will continue. 

“The members behind me have worked with their colleagues across the aisle for the last several months under leader Radogno leadership," Brady said. "We are going to continue that effort. We know that Illinois needs a bipartisan solution. We’ll continue that effort and building further on that effort.”

Brady was nominated after a challenger, Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles), failed to get enough votes. McConnaughay was backed by Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) while Brady had support from Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Lisle). 

Righter and McConnaughay joined in on nominating in an effort to show unity. At age 56, Brady has represented the 44th District in the Senate since 2002 and served as assistant Republican leader.