State Senator Jason Barickman (l) and State Representative Dan Brady. Barickman represents Livingston County in the Illinois Senate, and Brady represents the southeastern portion of the county in the Illinois House/Photos courtesy of the lawmaker's offices.

By Todd Wineburner

The Republican lawmakers who represent Livingston County are saying they like what they’re hearing from the Governor. Bruce Rauner gave his State of the State address on Wednesday, and State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says Rauner’s message is bold and realistic. Barickman says he’s hearing a governor who’s ready to focus on Illinois’s fiscal problems at the most basic level. “For all of us who are concerned with the fiscal state of affairs,” Barickman said after Rauner’s speech, “we know that if we focus on growing our economy, we can work through these things.” Barickman says the governor made it clear that he expects lawmakers to work together, and adds that he’s looking forward to getting to work.

State Representative Dan Brady describes Governor Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address as an accurate description of the state’s fiscal situation. Brady says he’s encouraged by the governor’s pledge to increase education spending and focus attention on the state of Illinois prisons. He adds, however, that Rauner seems to understand that nothing is going to come easily. “He knows that we’ve got a very, very infected tooth,” Brady said, “and it’s gotta be pulled and it’s gonna hurt.” Brady says the real test of the governor will come during his budget address, when he has to talk more about how he plans to pay for his initiatives.