As the scandal surrounding Roland Burris’ appointment to the United States Senate deepens, Republicans in the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives are renewing their call to allow Illinois citizens to choose their Senator through a special election.

Senator Bill Brady says Senate Bill 285 has been introduced to ensure all future United States Senate seat vacancies in Illinois would be filled by a special election, within 115 days of the seat being vacated. The bill would also enact a one-time only special election to coincide with the consolidated April 7, 2009, election and a special general election to be scheduled for May 26, 2009.

“Senator Burris clearly has put Illinois in a ‘trick box’ here with statements that contradict each other, particularly about the ‘pay-to-play’ scandal that resulted in the impeachment, conviction and removal from office of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich,” Senator Brady said. “If we are truly going to move Illinois forward, we have to eliminate corruption and put forward laws and leaders who rise above that. Until we do that, we are going to have a very difficult time attracting business investment in our state, which is the real solution to our economic problems.”

HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY, PRESIDENT LINCOLN!

Kudos to the citizens across the state, the nation and the world who took time out of their day February 12 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Illinois should be proud to be known as the Land of Lincoln. The 16th President of our United States rose from humble beginnings to take a place in history unlike any other. Lincoln guided our nation through a time of terrible division over the issue of slavery and struggled mightily, often in the face of great opposition, to preserve our union.

It is wonderful to see schoolchildren, civic groups, businesses, college students, theater  groups, historic sites, elected officials, and citizens from all backgrounds join together to wish Mr. Lincoln a very Happy 200th Birthday!

Students who are the children of veterans and will be attending the University of Illinois can apply for a tuition waiver, but must submit their applications by March 1, according to Senator Bill Brady.

The U of I awards a four-year tuition waiver to a natural or adopted child of a veteran. Up to six waivers per Illinois county are awarded each year, one for each of the following military conflicts: World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, Southeast Asia Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Senator Bill Brady has hired a new Chief of Staff for his legislative office in Bloomington.

Abby Walsh of Bloomington is in charge of the Senator’s constituent services and scheduling, and will be working closely with his legislative staff in Springfield.

Walsh formerly worked as Sales and Catering Manager at the Interstate Center in Bloomington.

“Abby is a real go-getter. She grew up in east central Illinois and graduated from Illinois State University. She has worked in Bloomington for seven years and has been involved in a number of local organizations,” Senator Brady said. “She knows the kinds of issues that are important to this region and is interested in all aspects of government. Her education, her work ethic and her outgoing personality will be a real asset to me and the citizens of the 44th District.”