Ill Senator Brady Ends Legislative Scholarships

The former Republican nominee for Illinois governor is giving up the legislative perk of handing out college scholarships.

Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington joins dozens of lawmakers who have ended the decades-old practice. Brady says the state's fiscal situation and the General Assembly's failure to reform the program triggered his decision.

The (Decatur) Herald-Review reported Friday that the decision came just a week after Brady's office sent out notices seeking applicants.

State officials say at least 78 of the Legislature's 177 members have quit the program, which has been criticized for more than a decade because some have used it to reward campaign contributors.

Brady lost the 2010 race for governor to Democrat Pat Quinn.