Fighting for Illinois Families, Defending Our Freedoms

I’m Brad Halbrook, a conservative Republican who’s not afraid to challenge the entrenched politicians and special interests that have turned Illinois into a national symbol of corruption and decline. I’m fighting to reverse that — by pushing for the kind of real reforms that put working families first.

Illinois can thrive again — but only if we get serious about cutting taxes, reducing the size and cost of government, and restoring accountability at every level. That means exposing wasteful spending, ending insider deals, and giving taxpayers a true voice in how their money is used.

I’ll always defend your constitutional rights — including your right to make personal healthcare decisions free from government mandates and political agendas. Our freedoms matter. Our values matter. And it’s time Springfield remembered that.

Together, we can rebuild an Illinois that works for the people — not the political class.

Taxes: Fighting for Relief, Not More Burden

I’ve always stood with Illinois taxpayers — and I’ve got the record to prove it. I voted against the 2017 income tax hike, against doubling the gas tax in 2019, and against the pile-on of higher fees, like the increased cost of license plate stickers.

While career politicians keep squeezing working families, I’m working to stop the bleeding. Illinois now ranks among the worst states for outmigration — and high taxes are a major reason why. Families, farmers, and small business owners are being driven out by policies that punish hard work and reward government waste.

I’ll continue to fight for lower taxes, smarter spending, and a government that lives within its means. Taxpayers deserve relief — not more broken promises.

Business Climate: Bring Jobs Back to Illinois

Illinois is bleeding jobs — and with them, families, talent, and opportunity. Year after year, our state ranks near the top for outbound migration. According to the latest United Van Lines report, Illinois is the second-worst state for people moving out, with over 70% of those leaving earning $100,000 or more annually. These are working professionals, entrepreneurs, and job creators — exactly the people we need to keep.

Why are they leaving? Crushing taxes. Anti-business regulations. And decades of reckless decisions by career politicians who’ve made Illinois hostile to growth.

We need to flip the script — by reducing taxes, cutting red tape, and creating a business climate that rewards risk-takers, supports small businesses, and encourages investment. It’s time to make Illinois a destination for job creators, not a cautionary tale of what happens when government overreach drives opportunity out the door.

I’ll keep fighting for policies that bring jobs back home — and keep Illinois families here where they belong.

Pro-Family: Defending Life and Parental Rights

I’m proudly 100% Pro-Life — and I’ve consistently stood up for the unborn, for parents, and for the foundational values that strengthen families.

I’ve voted against taxpayer-funded abortions, against extreme late-term abortion legislation, and against repealing Illinois’ parental notification law — because parents have a right to know when their minor child is undergoing a life-altering medical procedure.

My record has earned endorsements from both the Illinois Right to Life PAC and the Illinois Family PAC, and I remain committed to advancing policies that affirm the dignity of life, uphold parental rights, and protect the family as the cornerstone of our communities.

Families are the future — and I’ll never stop defending them.

Pro-2nd Amendment: Defending Your Right to Bear Arms

I firmly believe the Second Amendment is not negotiable — it’s a fundamental, God-given right protected by the U.S. Constitution.

That’s why I’ve consistently voted against radical gun control laws that punish law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to stop violent criminals. I’ve supported legislation that protects the rights of responsible gun owners, backed concealed carry, and I’m actively working to eliminate the unconstitutional FOID card requirement here in Illinois.

I’ll never stop fighting against efforts to erode our rights or disarm law-abiding citizens. The Second Amendment is about more than hunting — it’s about self-defense, personal liberty, and keeping government power in check.

Tax Reform: Enough is Enough

Illinoisans are some of the most overtaxed people in America. We have the second-highest property taxes in the nation, the third-highest gas taxes, and a business tax climate that ranks among the worst, according to the Tax Foundation.

It’s no wonder families and job creators are leaving.

I’ve pledged not to raise taxes — and I’ve kept that pledge. I opposed Governor Pritzker’s failed progressive income tax scheme and continue to fight for common-sense tax and spending reforms that respect hardworking families and demand accountability from government.

We don’t have a revenue problem — we have a spending problem, and I’ll keep working to fix it.

Government Reform: End the Corruption, Fix the System

Illinois won’t change until we change how Springfield works.

That means passing real structural reforms — not cosmetic fixes. I support hard caps on state spending, strict anti-corruption laws, and serious action to address our pension crisis — not more debt and empty promises.

I’ve long championed term limits and independent redistricting reform to break the grip of career politicians and end gerrymandering that lets politicians pick their voters instead of the other way around.

We need to drain the political swamp in Springfield, restore trust in government, and put the people of Illinois back in charge.

Pension Reform: Secure the Future, Stop the Bleeding

Illinois’ pension crisis is the single biggest threat to our state’s financial future. Right now, over 20% of the state budgetgoes to fund government pensions — crowding out funding for schools, public safety, and essential services. And while federal bailout money may have delayed the pain, it hasn’t solved the problem.

We can’t afford to kick the can any further. Without serious reform, pension costs will continue to skyrocket, taxes will keep climbing, and services will suffer.

I believe lawmakers need the authority to act — and that starts with a constitutional amendment, like Arizona passed, to allow for responsible, voter-approved changes that rein in runaway costs and protect future benefits.

Ignoring the problem will only cost taxpayers more and drive more families out of Illinois. I’ll keep fighting for the real, structural reforms we need to protect retirees, taxpayers, and the future of our state.

Ethics Reform: End Pay-to-Play Politics

Illinois has earned its reputation for corruption — and weak ethics laws are a big reason why.

When the Legislative Inspector General resigned in frustration, it was a wake-up call. The so-called “ethics reform” bill passed by the General Assembly was little more than window dressing. It did nothing to stop the insider dealing, self-enrichment, and backroom games that have defined Springfield for decades.

We need real reform — not political cover.

I’m fighting to give the Legislative Inspector General independent authority to launch investigations, subpoena power, and the ability to investigate misconduct beyond just a legislator’s official duties. We must dismantle the entrenched culture of pay-to-play politics and restore public trust in state government.

It’s simple: lawmakers should play by the same rules as the people they represent — and be held accountable when they don’t.

Immigration: Secure the Border, End Sanctuary Policies

I strongly support legal immigration — it’s part of what built this country. But we must also enforce the law and protect the safety of our communities. That’s why I oppose Illinois’ reckless sanctuary state policies that tie the hands of law enforcement and invite illegal activity.

I voted against legislation that bans state and local police from cooperating with ICE — because public safety should never take a back seat to political agendas. These policies are making our communities less safe and burdening our already stretched public services.

We need to restore law and order by repealing sanctuary laws, supporting our law enforcement officers, and putting the needs of citizens first — not those who break our laws to enter this country.

Parental Rights & Education Transparency: Put Parents Back in Charge

Parents — not bureaucrats or political activists — should have the final say in their child’s education.

I fully support curriculum transparency, school choice, and the right of parents to be informed and involved in every aspect of their child’s learning experience. No parent should be kept in the dark about what’s being taught in the classroom — especially when it involves radical ideologies on gender, race, or sexuality.

I’ve consistently opposed efforts to strip away parental rights, including policies that allow schools to hide major decisions from parents — like pronoun changes or gender identity transitions.

I also support efforts to expand education alternatives, such as homeschooling, charter schools, and education savings accounts, so parents have the freedom to choose what’s best for their family.

We must stop treating parents like outsiders. They are the first and most important educators of their children — and I’ll keep fighting to make sure their voices are heard and respected in every Illinois classroom.

Election Integrity: Protect Every Legal Vote

Free and fair elections are the foundation of our Republic — and Illinois voters deserve to trust the outcome of every election.

I support mandatory voter ID, cleaning up the voter rolls, and banning practices like ballot harvesting that undermine confidence in the process. I also support transparent vote counting, chain-of-custody requirements for ballots, and real consequences for election fraud.

No one should question whether their vote counts. I’ll continue fighting for common-sense election reforms that protect the integrity of every vote and ensure confidence in the results.

Energy & Utility Costs: Restore Energy Sanity

Illinois families are paying the price for radical energy policies — with skyrocketing electric bills, blackouts, and job losses in coal and natural gas communities.

I oppose extreme legislation like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which has made our grid less reliable and driven up utility rates. I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy — including clean coal, nuclear, natural gas, and oil — to keep energy affordable, reliable, and made in America.

We need policies that put Illinois energy workers and ratepayers first, not environmental extremists.

Crime & Public Safety: Stand with Law Enforcement

Illinois is becoming less safe because of soft-on-crime policies like the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail and put repeat offenders back on the streets.

I’ve voted against these dangerous laws and will keep fighting to repeal them. I fully support our law enforcement officers and believe they need the tools and respect required to do their job — not threats of defunding or political interference.

We must restore law and order, enforce the law equally, and make our communities safe again.

Protecting Rural Illinois: Fight for the Forgotten

Downstate Illinois is being left behind by a Chicago-first agenda. As a farmer and small business owner, I understand the unique needs of rural communities.

That’s why I fight for agriculture, rural infrastructure, broadband expansion, healthcare access, and local control. I oppose mandates and regulations written for urban areas that don’t work in rural Illinois.

Our values matter. Our work matters. And our voice matters — and I’ll keep making sure Springfield hears it loud and clear.

Health Freedom & Medical Mandates: No to Forced Mandates

No government should have the power to force a medical decision on anyone.

I strongly oppose vaccine mandates, mask mandates, and health-based discrimination. During COVID, Illinois leaders abused emergency powers and silenced dissent. I’ve stood with workers, parents, and small businesses in defense of informed consent and individual liberty.

Your body belongs to you — not the government. I’ll continue fighting for medical freedom and personal responsibility.

Digital Censorship & Free Speech: Defend the First Amendment

Free speech is under attack — not just in the public square, but online. Big Tech platforms and government agencies have worked together to silence conservative voices, suppress news, and censor opinions.

I support legislation that protects free expression, bans government-directed censorship, and holds tech companies accountable when they act like publishers, not platforms.

The First Amendment doesn’t end at the edge of a Wi-Fi signal — and I’ll fight to defend it everywhere.

Spending Accountability & Transparency: Respect the Taxpayer

Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem — it has a spending addiction.

I support zero-based budgeting, spending caps, and strict accountability for every taxpayer dollar. I’ve also pushed for full transparency in state contracts and NGO funding, especially after billions of COVID and federal dollars were handed out with little oversight.

I’ll keep fighting to end waste, fraud, and abuse — and to bring honest accounting and fiscal sanity back to Springfield.