News of shooting doesn't keep Dan Brady away from Chenoa

CHENOA — Usually an upbeat and positive person on his birthday, State Rep. Dan Brady was a bit subdued when he spoke with the Daily Leader prior to walking in the Fourth of July parade in Chenoa Monday.

The reason was obvious: there was a shooting in the north suburbs of Chicago that resulted in the death of six individuals who were simply enjoying watching a parade on Independence Day.

“We just came back from participating in parades in the suburbs until the tragic and horrific shooting incident that occurred this morning,” Brady said as he prepared for his annual trek in a community familiar to him and where he has always been well-received. “We certainly send our condolences to all those affected, sympathies to the families that lost a family member.

“It certainly puts a damper on the day, it's still the day of our freedom and independence. So, we are continuing on.”

This is the last time, at least in the foreseeable future, that Brady will be walking the parade as a member of the state legislature. The next time he appears in Chenoa for the Fourth to walk the route might be as the Illinois secretary of state.

Brady recently won the Republican primary for secretary of state and will square off against Democrat nominee Alexi Giannoulias. Current Secretary of State Jesse White did not run for re-election, opting instead to retire.

“As far as the campaign goes,” Brady said, “we're certainly working diligently like we did in the primary, working as hard as we can, networking and working with voters and trying to capture those that might be on the other side, those independents, those that might want to see a change and improved services in the secretary of state's office.”

Brady said that one thing about the secretary of state's office is that it really isn't a political entity, it does not deal with public policy.

“Yes, it's an elected office, but it's about public service,” Brady said. “We've talked throughout the state of Illinois about what we would improve, how we would do it, how we would improve the services of the office.

“The office touches more daily lives than any other constitutional office in the state of Illinois.”

Brady pointed out that other than the secretary of state's office, all the other offices have a Democrat incumbent.

“It's an opportunity from a political front for a Republican,” Brady said. “But it's also a great opportunity from the standpoint of someone who has ideas about improving services of the office, cutting those wait times and making sure people, to the best of the office's ability, not only provide enhanced services but also reaches out in so many other ways that can be improved upon in digital, technology, more remote services, all the things that help cut those lines that people experience and that people don't like.”

Brady has been a state representative since 2001. He has been a promoter of higher education, insurance and first response in his time in the legislature. This makes sense with part of his living in a community that includes two major insurance companies (State Farm and Country), as well as Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University and Heartland Community College.

A problem he dealt with regarding higher education was battle between then-Gov. Bruce Rauner and then-Speaker of the House Michael Madigan.

“In two years, having higher education, quite frankly, held hostage, and trying to appropriate dollars after that particular budget stalemate was resolved and moved forward (was an achievement),” Brady said. “Higher education in this state is still struggling from that.”

Brady was still upbeat in discussing the joy that is Independence Day for most.

“It's been a bittersweet day,” he said. “But it's still about our independence, it's still about our freedom, and about the birth of our country. When you think of the struggles, it's so unfortunate that what had to happen and transpired in Highland Park.

“Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and, especially being born on the Fourth of July, knowing the meaning of this independence day — simply that, independent to be able to think and to act within the laws of this country, how you wish. It's so important is to be respectful of others.”

Brady is now working toward his goal of winning in November, which made this year's trek along the parade route a little different because there was a campaign note attached. He said that he might be out-financed but he will not be outworked in his quest to become the next secretary of state.

He then sauntered off to speak with parade goers and participants before embarking on his traditional walk through Chenoa.