Illinois Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady announced his resignation Thursday, ending a nearly three-decade tenure in Springfield.
The minority GOP leader from downstate Bloomington did not give a reason for his resignation, which was announced about 12 hours before going into effect at 11:59 p.m. New Year’s Eve.
Brady served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 2000 before taking office in the state Senate in 2002.
He also made three unsuccessful bids for governor before becoming the leader of the Senate Republican caucus in 2017. Last month, Brady announced he wouldn’t run again for the leadership post, which will soon be held by Hawthorn Woods Republican Sen. Dan McConchie.
“Over the years, our caucus was successful in securing additional funding for our public schools, helping create a tax-credit private school scholarship program for low- and middle-income students, standing up against income tax hikes that hurt working families, and working tirelessly to improve our state’s crumbling infrastructure,” Brady said in a statement.
“Illinois has much it can be proud of, and I am proud to have made a contribution to this state, and especially the citizens of Central Illinois, during my time in office,” he said.
Some personal news. #twill pic.twitter.com/xpkmL9Exts
— Bill Brady (@SenBillBrady) December 31, 2020
The longtime Republican voice in a Democratic stronghold state said he “looks forward to future avenues that will allow me the opportunity to serve the people of Illinois” but did not reveal any plans.
Brady, a millionaire businessman in the private sector, has been a vocal opponent of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigation policies, particularly the bans on indoor service at bars and restaurants. Pritzker is up for reelection in 2022.
In a statement, Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said: “Bill Brady has been a colleague and a friend for many years. I commend him for his service to the State of Illinois and wish him well.”
Springfield state Rep. Tim Butler is interested in Brady’s Senate seat and is considered a front-runner, a party source said Thursday.
On Wednesday, state Rep. Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, D-Chicago, announced his resignation, citing health insurance concerns.
