Brad Halbrook Explained

Brad Halbrook
State House:Illinois
State:Illinois
District:102nd
Preceded:Adam Brown
State House2:Illinois
State2:Illinois
District2:110th
Preceded2:Roger L. Eddy
Succeeded2:Reginald H. Phillips
Birth Date:22 July 1961[1]
Birth Place:Pana, Illinois, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Linda
Children:2
Residence:Shelby County, Illinois, U.S.
Alma Mater:Lake Land College
Profession:Business owner

Brad Halbrook is a Republican member of the Illinois General Assembly. He was a small business owner who ran a company making fences before joining the general assembly. In April 2012, Halbrook was appointed to the state legislature to fill out the term of retiring state legislator Roger L. Eddy.[2] He did not run for re-election in 2014 and was succeeded by Reggie Phillips, and he returned to the Illinois House after the 2016 elections.

Career

Halbrook is both socially and fiscally conservative. He supports lowering taxes and increasing the number of Illinois jobs. According to his campaign website, “In 2012, he became just the 10th State Legislator to turn down the underfunded and overly generous General Assembly Retirement System pension.”[3] He was among a group of legislators that started a trend; as of October 2016, 33 legislators turn down the pension.

During his campaign, Halbrook advocated for lower taxes. In the past, he has spoken out against local and state tax increases. He supports property tax caps and opposes income tax increases.[4]

Because of the number of people and jobs that have left Illinois, Halbrook says that he is committed to reforming worker's compensation laws by eliminating unnecessary regulations.

Halbrook opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and gun control.[4]

Halbrook was one of five Illinois representatives to vote against the Illinois Right to Vote Amendment on its passage in the Illinois House of Representatives.[5] The bill subsequently was passed unanimously in the Illinois Senate,[6] and was approved as a constitutional amendment by the voters of Illinois.[7] [8]

During his time as a state legislator, he voted in favor of bills to provide transparency for local governments. He supports redistricting reform and imposing term limits on state legislators.

Halbrook was the fifth legislator to not accept the General Assembly pension benefit for himself. He has said that he work to reform the state pension system.

In February 2021, Halbrook introduced a measure calling for Chicago to become its own state. The measure received no co-sponsors in the state House.[9]

As of July 3, 2022, Representative Halbrook is a member of the following Illinois House committees:[10]

2016 election

In the primary election held on March 15, 2016, Halbrook defeated James Acklin and Randy Peterson. Republican incumbent Adam Brown did not seek re-election. Halbrook ran unopposed in the general election on November 8, 2016.

Republican Governor Bruce Rauner endorsed Halbrook and, in addition to several independent groups, spent money in support of his campaign. Halbrook was also endorsed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce PAC.

Personal life

Brad Halbrook owns and operates a small farm with his wife Linda in Shelbyville. They have two children.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Illinois Blue Book 2021-2022. August 23, 2021. 110.
  2. Web site: Brad Halbrook selected to fill state rep seat. tribstar.com. Tribune-Star. 3 April 2012. 15 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Brad Halbrook for State Representative. Bradhalbrook.com. 2016-10-09.
  4. Web site: Brad Halbrook. Ballotpedia. Lucy Burns Institute. 2016-10-09.
  5. Web site: STATE OF ILLINOIS NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE ROLL CALL HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 52 CON AMEND-VOTER DISCRIMINTION THIRD READING 3/4 VOTE REQUIRED PASSED . Illinois General Assembly . 8 April 2014.
  6. Web site: State of Illinois 98th General Assembly Senate Vote House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment No. 52 THIRD READING . Illinois General Assembly . 27 March 2020 . 10 April 2014.
  7. Web site: Illinois Constitution - Amendments Proposed . www.ilga.gov . Illinois General Assembly . 26 March 2020.
  8. Web site: Illinois Right to Vote Amendment (2014) . Ballotpedia . 27 March 2020 . en.
  9. Web site: Sullender. Andrew. 2021-05-25. Republican Bailey’s message to Chicago evolves from get lost to make Chicago great. 2021-07-21. Chicago Sun-Times. en.
  10. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - House Members . 2022-07-04 . ilga.gov.