Illinois Chamber Endorsement for Governor

By Mary Crego, Chairman of the Board, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

The relationship between government and business is a key focal point in this year’s race for Illinois governor. An environment conducive to the success of private enterprise must be restored to put Illinois on a path to recovery. Illinois government desperately needs a dose of fiscal discipline. Illinois employers and citizens desire political leadership that restores confidence, stability and the sound economic policies necessary to put the state on a positive trajectory that supports business investment and job growth.

Recently, the Chamber board hosted Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Bill Brady, individually, to discuss the state’s future. Both candidates made presentations and fielded questions from Chamber board members as we contemplated which candidate offers the right solutions for Illinois. The Chamber’s fact-finding process also included an extensive questionnaire answered by both candidates.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to report that both major party candidates for governor in the Nov. 2 election recognize how important business and job growth is to Illinois. Both candidates emphasized job creation and economic growth as their highest priorities.


The endorsement process was fair, civil, and thorough. We took care to give both candidates the time they needed and gave appropriate consideration to their policy positions.
The Chamber board – a diverse group that represents businesses large and small from across the state – believes that Bill Brady, the Republican from Bloomington, is the best choice for governor. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorses Senator Brady for Governor in 2010. We appreciate the time both candidates devoted to our discussion and the frank dialogue on the critical issues facing the State of Illinois.


Senator BradySenator Brady, a business owner, would bring a much-needed change and a new direction to Illinois government. Perhaps now more than ever before, employers and business owners desire a stable, responsible state government that understands what it takes to retain, create and attract jobs.


Senator Brady’s voting record on business issues has been exemplary. While serving in the Illinois Senate he has earned the Chamber’s Champion of Free Enterprise Award by ranking at the top of the Chamber’s legislative scorecard each of the last eight years. We believe his past performance is the most reliable indicator he will retain an interest in the issues so important to assuring the growth of free enterprise. His top priorities for the state align with the Chamber’s own – create jobs, eliminate excessive taxes and fees and reform the workers’ compensation system. As Senator Brady pointed out during his presentation, it costs much more to start a business and keep it operating in Illinois than it does in neighboring Indiana and many other states. It is but just one of many barriers to job creation in Illinois that he intends to remove.Senator Brady knows we must reduce the cost of doing business in Illinois and make it a priority to restore as many as possible of the almost 450,000 jobs that have left the state in the last 10 years (according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security). The future health of our economy depends upon this growth, as do the citizens of this great state. Without a healthy business environment, Illinois will not create new jobs and the economic vitality of the state will continue to suffer.


Senator Brady is also determined to reform the overly litigious legal environment in Illinois. We applaud Senator Brady for his plans to revamp the state’s archaic tax code and for recommending spending cuts that will force this state to live within its means. We’re impressed that he wants to install administrators with business experience to run state agencies. The Chamber is ready to embrace change because continuing down the same path is unacceptable. We believe Senator Brady understands our state’s challenges and will best serve the interests of our members – the employers – who provide the jobs with incomes that support the well being of Illinois residents and their families.

Governor Quinn We appreciate the Quinn administration has been a welcome relief from the experience Illinois had with the previous governor. The Chamber and its members likewise have appreciated Governor Quinn’s willingness to engage with business leaders, as well as his willingness to serve during a difficult period in Illinois history.

The Chamber board’s endorsement of Senator Brady does not reflect negatively on Governor Quinn’s good intentions or dedication. However, Chamber board members believe that the current challenges facing state government and the Illinois economy call for a significant change. Illinois needs leadership that will champion a new course for job growth while imposing the fiscal discipline that is required today. It is in that context the Illinois Chamber of Commerce fully endorses Senator Brady to be the next Governor of the State of Illinois.