Brandon W. Phelps
From Ballotpedia
| Brandon W. Phelps | ||
 | ||
| Illinois House of Representatives District 118 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| June 2003-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 12, 2013 | ||
| Years in position | 9 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $67,836/year | |
| Per diem | $132/per session day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 2, 2010 | |
| Next election | November 6, 2012 | |
| Appointed | June 2003 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Eastern Illinois University, 1992 | |
| Personal | ||
| Religion | Baptist | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
Contents |
Phelps is a union organizing director.[1]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Phelps has been appointed to the following committees:
- Agriculture & Conservation
- Armed Forces & Military Affairs, Vice Chair
- Environment & Energy
- Financial Institutions, Chair
- Health Care Licenses
- Labor
- Telecommunications
- Veterans' Affairs
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Phelps served on the following committees:
- Agriculture & Conservation (Chair)
- Electric Generation & Commerce
- Environment & Energy
- Health Care Licenses (Vice Chair)
- Labor
- Subcommittee on Affordable Alzheimer's Services
- Veterans' Affairs
Issues
Concealed carry
In May 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn announced that he would veto the concealed carry bill on which the Illinois Legislature had voted, if it landed on his desk. The bill would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms in public.
That threat held little water because the bill had a lot of support and might win through a supermajority (71 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate) of votes from both chambers.
Rep. Brandon Phelps said he was trying to find enough support in the House to move the plan over to the Senate. Phelps said he wanted to call House Bill 148 for a vote on May 5, regardless of Quinn's opposition.
"I just think that (Quinn) is wrong," Phelps said. "And you agree to disagree. Sometimes people within your own party disagree with what they say. And I totally disagree with him today."
Under HB 148, Illinois residents 21 and older could apply for permits to carry concealed firearms in public, except for places like schools, churches and inside state government buildings. Applicants would need to pass a written exam, firearms training exercises and background checks.
"About two-thirds of the citizens of our state are steadfastly and strongly opposed to allow private citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public places," Quinn said.
Sen. Gary Forby said the opponents of concealed carry mostly live in and around Chicago and that people downstate, and in other states, support the idea.
"I think all we are doing now, we are really helping the state of Illinois with what they got to do to get a license and stuff," Forby said. "So all you are going to do is put guns in peoples' good hands."
Quinn said the plan may lead to more violence.
"I don't think that's healthy, if you are going to the grocery store," Quinn said. "You bump into somebody accidentally, and they take offense, they can pull out a loaded, concealed handgun to assuage their anger."
Sen. Larry Bomke said the plan would deter violence, because potential burglars would less likely rob homeowners with guns.
"I can only hope that he changes his mind once the bill gets to his desk," Bomke said. "And I feel fairly confident it will. But it will be important that we have enough votes, a supermajority, to override his decision if he chooses to veto the bill."
Rep. Jason Barickman said lawmakers have been working carefully to craft the plan.
“At the end of the day, we certainly would appreciate the governor's support,” Barickman said. “But with him making it clear that he opposes this right, this constitutional right, this right that a mass number of people support. I think that we just have to continue lining up our legislative votes and push forward."
Rep. Norine Hammond hopes that's enough support.
“A lot of people have worked on this very hard — lots of law enforcement input,” she said. “I think it is a very strong bill. And hopefully we could get it passed," she said.
In the end though, Rep. Richard Morthland said it won’t matter what the governor chooses to do with the legislation if there are enough votes.
"There is a last minute roll call being taken just trying to figure out where people are, and how we are doing, and do we have exactly the number of votes we need, how close are we,“ Morthland said. “I think it looks good. Hopefully we will be able to move it this week."[2]
Elections
2012
Phelps is running for re-election to the 118th District seat in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2012. He was unopposed in the Democratic Primary on March 20, 2012, and is unopposed in the November 6 general election as well.[3]
2010
Phelps won re-election to the 118th District seat unopposed. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on February 2nd. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[4]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 118 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Brandon W. Phelps (D)
| 27,476 | 100.0% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Democrat Brandon Phelps won re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives District 118 receiving 32,724 votes, ahead of Republican Scott Doody who received 13,131 votes.[5]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 118 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Brandon Phelps (D)
| 32,724 | |||
| Scott Doody (R) | 13,131 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Democrat Brandon Phelps won re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives District 118 receiving 25,105 votes ahead of Republican Rhonda Belford who received 13,212 votes.[6]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 118 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Brandon Phelps (D)
| 25,105 | |||
| Rhonda Belford (R) | 13,212 | |||
Campaign donors
2010
In 2010, Phelps collected $278,603 in campaign contributions. The largest contributors are listed below:[7]
| Illinois House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top contributors to Brandon W. Phelps's campaign in 2010 | |
| Illinois Laborers | $21,500 |
| Gary Forby Campaign Fund | $12,025 |
| International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers | $12,000 |
| Illinois Education Association | $10,500 |
| Illinois State Medical Society | $6,000 |
| Total Raised in 2010 | $278,603 |
2008
In 2008, Phelps collected $240,105 in donations.[8]
Listed below are the five largest contributors to his campaign.
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chapman & Cutler | $7,500 |
| Illinois Laborers | $7,000 |
| W.T. & Linda Ozee | $5,000 |
| Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois | $4,500 |
| Harrahs | $4,500 |
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Brandon + Phelps + Illinois + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
External links
- Illinois General Assembly - Representative Brandon W. Phelps (D) 118th District
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002
- Illinois House Democrats - Brandon W. Phelps
References
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Phelps
- ↑ "Gov’s threatened veto of concealed carry may not matter," Illinois Statehouse News, May 3, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections "Candidate List," December 5, 2011
- ↑ Illinois Official 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Illinois House of Representatives official election results for 2008
- ↑ Illinois House of Representatives official election results for 2006
- ↑ Follow the money - Illinois House 2010 donors
- ↑ Phelps Campaign Donors
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - | Illinois House of Representatives District 118 2003–present | Succeeded by NA |
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