Suburban businesses behind Brady, but want to know what he's thinking

Earlier this month, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce placed its support for - and money on - Republican Bill Brady for governor.

It wasn't a surprise. The 3,500-member group has never endorsed a Democrat for the job. It followed up with a $100,000 pledge to Brady and a promise to raise more money in the future, citing a "loss of confidence in the current administration."

But members of suburban chambers have been less outspoken in their backing, as they strain to hear Brady spell out a clear plan.

They know Brady's opponent, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, would like to balance the state budget by hiking taxes, borrowing and cutting spending.

What does Brady offer instead? Some say they wish they had a better idea.

The Bloomington senator's pro-private sector jobs stance is attractive to local business leaders. But they also say his plan to repair the state's broken budget by cutting "a dime of every dollar" is a source of worry - even as they hear his opponent Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal to hike income taxes from 3 percent to 4 percent.

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