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.
Brad Halbrook | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 102nd district | |
| Assumed office January 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Brown |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 110th district | |
| In office April 2012 – January 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Roger L. Eddy |
| Succeeded by | Reginald H. Phillips |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 22, 1961[1] Pana, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Linda |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Shelby County, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Lake Land College |
| Profession | Business owner |
Career
editHalbrook 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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[4]
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.[4]
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]
- Appropriations - General Service Committee (HAPG)
- Cities & Villages Committee (HCIV)
- Counties & Townships Committee (HCOT)
- Housing Committee (SHOU)
2016 election
editIn 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.[4]
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.[4]
Personal life
editBrad Halbrook owns and operates a small farm with his wife Linda in Shelbyville. They have two children.[3]
References
edit- ^ Illinois Blue Book 2021-2022 (PDF). p. 110. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Brad Halbrook selected to fill state rep seat". tribstar.com. Tribune-Star. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ a b c "Brad Halbrook for State Representative". Bradhalbrook.com. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Brad Halbrook". Ballotpedia. Lucy Burns Institute. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ "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" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
- ^ "State of Illinois 98th General Assembly Senate Vote House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment No. 52 THIRD READING" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Illinois Constitution - Amendments Proposed". www.ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "Illinois Right to Vote Amendment (2014)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ Sullender, Andrew (2021-05-25). "Republican Bailey's message to Chicago evolves from get lost to make Chicago great". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ "Illinois General Assembly - House Members". ilga.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
External links
edit- Representative Brad E. Halbrook (R) 109th District at the Illinois General Assembly
- State Representative Brad Halbrook constituency site
- Representative Halbrook's policy positions.
- Profile at Vote Smart
