What Does Pat Brady's Resignation Mean for the Illinois Republican Party?

Pundits have various opinions about the decision of the state GOP leader from St. Charles—but most are saying it's not good news for the Republican Party.

You knew Pat Brady's decision to step down as leader of the Illinois Republican Party was big news when Donna Brazile retweeted the Daily Herald online article minutes after the story broke Monday night. Brazile is, of course, an author, academic and political analyst who also happens to be vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. They say all politics is local, and this story—which already has garnered national attention—couldn't be more local for residents of the Tri-Cities. Brady is a longtime resident of St. Charles, and very active in the community. He was even the chairman of the Kevin Burns campaign for Kane County Board chairman last year. Brady resigned as the state GOP chair Tuesday for a couple reasons, one being …

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Reports: Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady of St. Charles Will Step Down Tuesday

Various sources say the beleaguered Illinois chairman of the Grand Old Party will announce his resignation Tuesday, following several attempts to oust him for his support of gay marriage.

The Daily Herald and a number of other media sources are reporting Monday night that Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady of St. Charles will resign Tuesday. Brady was unavailable for comment, but several of Brady's friends confirmed to the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times that Brady would make the announcement. Brady had come under fire from a group of Republican Central Committee members—led by state Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove—who were reportedly upset by Brady's personal support of gay marriage. Brady had called several Republicans as a personal citizen, asking them to endorse state legislation for gay marriage. The position runs contrary to the state and national Republican Party platform. Brady has survived at least…

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Reports: Republican Committee Trying to Oust State GOP Leader Pat Brady

Jim Oberweis is among the GOP Central Committee members set to meet privately March 9, the Daily Herald Reports.

A group of Republican Central Committee members are getting together March 9 to see what they can do to oust state Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady of St. Charles, the Daily Herald reports. The group, which includes 25th Distrct state Sen. Jim Oberweis, is reportedly upset by Brady's personal support of gay marriage. Previous attempts to get rid of Brady have fallen flat, but the special meeting has reignited Brady told the Daily Herald the effort is "misquided" and said it would continue to hurt the Republican Party brand. Brady previously had made calls to fellow members of the GOP, saying he supports gay marriage as a private citizen. He insisted that the calls were not part of his formal capacity as party chairman, but he also has …

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Jeff Ward

There's a Right Way to Get Rid of a Rogue Republican Chairman

Jim Oberweis' heart may be in the right place, but we've still got to work on his head.

One of my very favorites things in life is when, soon after writing a series of columns on a sensitive subject, a reader or reality comes around to prove my point. This time, my point is proven by Geneva’s brand new 25th District state Sen. Jim Oberweis. The topic we’ve been occupied with is how the wackiest elements of the Republican Party insist upon dooming its prospects by wielding social issues as the kind of cudgel that makes most of us cringe. Of course, Mr. Oberweis made me look good when he called on preposterous Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady to resign. Considering Mr. Brady’s questionable judgment and abysmal track record, I’m right behind the senator, but the problem is he issued the proclamation based on Brady’s sudden…

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Jeff Ward

8:34 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Doug, This is why Illinois Republicans can't win. You're chairman and state senator 24/7, there's a wrong side of social issues, and less government means staying out of marriage. Jeff   more ›

Patch on Politics

Guns-and-Ammo Tax Likely to Land in Court

Cook County wants 5 cents for every bullet sold • An open letter to Pat Brady from a guy who gives Democrats money • A Rod Blagojevich legacy: All Kids doesn't fly right, either

The NRA and a suburban gun dealer say Cook County's proposed taxes on bullets and guns will probably land in court. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, saying there is too much violence in Chicago, wants a 5-cent tax on every bullet sold in the county and a $25 tax on every gun sold. Dave Workman, of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Bear Arms, told the Associated Press that gun-rights advocates will not stand for this. "It's not the law-abiding citizens stacking bodies like cordwood in Chicago; it's the bad guys," he said. The tax also could drive business out of Cook County and into the collar counties. "Who's going to come to Tinley Park to buy ammunition?" asked Fred Lutger, owner of Freddie Bear Sport in Tinley Park, …

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Inside Geneva: Jeff Ward

Jeff Ward: GOP Party Chair Pat Brady Has No Business Chairing a GOP Primary Campaign

This one doesn't pass the laugh test.

Just when I’m convinced that Springfield Democrats have cornered the market on political folderol, our illustrious Illinois GOP just has to go ahead and prove me wrong. Call me crazy, but I believe our political parties should actually aspire to something greater than a downward-spiraling contest to see who can sink to new lows in the name of the political process. But as difficult as you think it might be to top Mike Madigan and his crew of cronies, the Illinois GOP did just that when state Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady signed on as Kevin Burns' campaign chair in his primary race against Chris Lauzen for the Kane County Board chairmanship. If party integrity were at stake, I can see a GOP chairman endorsing one candidate over …

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Head of Illinois Republican Party to Lead Burns Campaign for Kane Board Chairman

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns lands the top GOP organizer in the state as his campaign chair in the race for the Kane County Board chairmanship.

Kevin Burns announced today that Pat Brady, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party and Kane County resident, has signed on as chairman for his campaign to head the Kane County Board. In a statement to Burns and his supporters, Brady said, “I am honored to be working with Mayor Burns as he seeks to be elected chairman of the Kane County Board.” In speaking of Burns’ qualifications, Brady said, “Kevin has the unique combination of executive experience coupled with a deep understanding of the operations of local government. This will allow him to hit the ground running as Kane County Board chairman.” Brady, of St, Charles, added “Equally, if not more important to me as a Kane County resident, is that Kevin is a leader and a consensus …

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Jack Steen

6:12 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011

How are Dennis Fatstert and his boytoy Scottie Palmer getting along in their love nest now that they've left Washington in shame and the citizens of Illinois without representation ?   more ›