By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said he will back a proposal in Springfield to give Chicago the authority to recall its mayor.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Brady on WJBC.

“The people of Chicago need a leader more important than probably any government body in the world, if not the country,” Brady said. “They’ve got serious problems facing their children and their schools. They need a leader who can be effective and they need the right to weigh in on those decisions and not wait for four more years.”

But Brady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, the state must be careful not to create an environment where lawmakers or city officials are constantly facing the threat of a recall.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) proposed the measure following mayor Rahm Emaunel’s handling of the police investigation into the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

2017

Six months into a budget year without a spending plan, Brady said Illinois needs to turn its attention to the next budget.

“It’s time to focus on 2017, it’s time to focus on a capital plan, with a new federal capital plan and other things that are important for the future of this state,” Brady said. “People are tired and restless and we’ve got to get going on this.”

In the meantime, Brady said there are several funding needs the state should address, including making sure students can get the grants they need to afford college.

“I don’t believe our institutions of higher education, Heartland (Community College), (Illinois) Wesleyan, ISU and others around the area can really bear the burden we have placed on them in terms of the local of (Monetary Assistance Program) funds and state appropriations,” Brady said.

Brady said the state also need to pay its $10 million bill to the city of Springfield for keeping power on at the capital and state offices. Otherwise, he said the state has six months to get a budget done for 2017.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].