SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Secretary of State candidate Dan Brady, a Bloomington Republican, Monday announced his enthusiastic support for a newly-authorized program that can create additional jobs to help the economy while easing the supply chain delays that are plaguing the country.
The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allows those between 18 and 20 years of age who hold a Commercial Driver’s License to cross state lines after extensive training. Trucking companies will soon be able to establish apprenticeships for under-21 drivers as part of the program.
“More truck drivers means more goods can be delivered, shortages can be eased, young people can earn a living wage in a lucrative career, and our economy can literally get moving again,” Brady said. “Illinois has the third most total highway miles of any state, and with more truck drivers on our roads we stand to gain more tax revenue while getting our industrial, commercial and personal goods delivered on time again.”
The Illinois Secretary of State issues licenses to truck drivers in Illinois, and if elected Brady pledges to make sure that licensure process becomes more efficient for truck drivers of all ages while retaining all of the measures that keep the state’s roads safe. The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program requires two lengthy probationary periods with an experienced driver, strict apprentice driver performance benchmarks, and the use of special safety features in trucks being driven by apprentices.
“We rarely have a chance to do something like this that fires on all cylinders,” Brady said. “I support this apprenticeship program, and as your next Secretary of State I will work closely with participating firms to make sure their drivers are licensed, safe and ready to go to work.”
Those in the trucking industry are joining Brady in their support for the program.
“We were thrilled to see the FMCSA start this apprenticeship pilot. The safety technology in modern trucks, as well as the training rigor and expertise in the trucking industry, have both advanced and should result in a successful pilot program,” said Brent Nussbaum, CEO of Nussbaum Transportation, which is headquartered in the Bloomington-Normal area. “Nussbaum looks forward to developing young candidates into becoming safe and talented driving professionals. We are thankful that Dan Brady has taken notice of this program and understands its importance.”
About Dan Brady
Dan Brady is a candidate for Illinois Secretary of State. He is a resident of Bloomington, Illinois where he is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and is an associate in the funeral home firm Kibler-Brady-Ruestman. Brady served as McLean County Coroner from 1992 to 2000. He received an A.A. from Southern Illinois University and a B.A. in Elected Studies from St. Ambrose University. Brady was named to the Illinois House Republican Leadership team in 2003 and in 2017 he was named Deputy Minority Leader. He has been recognized for his local leadership by a variety of organizations and is a repeated recipient of awards including the ACTIVATOR “Friend of Agriculture Award, the National Federation of Independent Business “Guardian of Small Business” Award and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce “Champion of Free Enterprise” Award. Dan and his wife Teri have two children.