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SUBJECT: October News from State Senator Dan Kotowski

 

 

 

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In the 33rd District: 

  
  Suite 210
  1300 W. Higgins Rd.
  Park Ridge 60068
  phone: 847-797-1192
  fax: 847-384-0538

In Springfield:

In This Issue:

    •    Reforming Illinois Government
    •    Protecting Taxpayers
    •    Pushing for Economic Recovery
    •    Continuing to Support Veterans and Consumers
    •    Assistance from my Office
    •    Community Xtravaganza
 
Dear Friends,
 
This has been an exciting and challenging year in the General Assembly.  I have worked hard to represent you and make responsible choices about what is best for the state. I have focused on preventing corruption, improving accountability and helping taxpayers, veterans and college students.

 

 

During this legislative session, I  sponsored 63 bills and co-sponsored of 73 others.  Of these initiatives, 43 have been signed into law and 20 are on the governor’s desk or are being considered during Veto Session.

 

Please read the rest of this newsletter.  As always, it is my pleasure and honor to serve you.  If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Best,

State Senator Dan Kotowski
 

Kotowski Reforms Illinois Government

Strengthening Government Accountability

Senator Kotowski continues to advocate for accountability and transparency in state government. During his first term in the General Assembly, he helped put a stop to pay-to-play politics by requiring state agencies to post all contracts on line. This year, he increased government accountability by serving as chief co-sponsor of a measure that strengthens Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (Senate Bill 189). He also co-sponsored legislation that ensures better management of Illinois’ five pension funds by removing Blagojevich’s political appointees and setting new rules to prevent conflicts of interest (SB 364). The governor has signed into law the Freedom of Information Act reform and the pension fund reform.

Fighting Corruption

Senator Kotowski proposed a first-of-its kind Public Corruption Property Forfeiture law (Senate Bill 1013). Any elected official convicted of bribery, extortion, or accepting kickbacks would have to turn over all of the profits of corruption—and their campaign funds—to the state.

Supporting Shared Sacrifice

Senator Kotowski has been a strong voice calling for members of the General Assembly to share financial sacrifices that will help Illinois weather the economic storm. He co-sponsored legislation that guarantees the members of the General Assembly will not receive raises this year and that requires them to take four unpaid work days (Senate Bill 2090). It also requires that representatives and senators must vote in the future to approve pay raises, insuring greater transparency and accountability to voters. Senator Kotowski also supported the state’s final budget agreement, which increased the number of furlough days for legislators from four to 12 and passed a law to change the way members of the General Assembly and judges receive pensions (Senate Bill 369). Under Kotowski's proposal these elected officials’ pensions will now be based on the average of their four highest paid years of work—treating them the same as most other most state employees. The governor has signed Kotowski’s pension reform into law, and the other awaits his signature.

 

Kotowski Protect Taxpayers

Making it More Difficult to Raise Taxes

Senator Kotowski sponsored two measures that would make it more difficult for county governments to raise taxes without the people’s consent. The first lowers the county board’s veto override threshold from four-fifths to three-fifths (Senate Bill 1868). Dan later introduced a similar piece of legislation with an immediate effective date (Senate Bill 588). It awaits the consideration of the Illinois House. With a lower veto override threshold the Cook County Board would have been able to prevent County Board President Todd Stroger’s excessive sales tax increase on consumers and business. Dan also sponsored a measure to place strict limits on how much a county board can raise taxes without putting the question to a referendum (Senate Bill 1867). When approved, both of these laws will protect the voices and pocketbooks of taxpayers.

Senator Kotowski proposed a new law that would allow middle class families to take a tax deduction equal to the cost of their children’s college tuition (Senate Bill 1543). As long as the family earned less than $100,000 per year and the student maintained at least a B- average, they would be eligible. He also pushed for the creation of a Private Student Loan Task Force (Senate Bill 1698). With the skyrocketing cost of college, more and more students are forced to rely on private loans to pay for their education—the task force would evaluate the effects of this trend. The task force legislation awaits the governor’s signature.

 

Kotowski Pushes for Economic Recovery

Supporting the First Capital Construction Plan in a Decade

 

Senator Kotowski stepped up to the challenge of finding a reasonable solution to Illinois' unprecedented budget crisis. He supported a plan that required the state to make $2 billion in cuts while continuing to fund programs for education, veterans, seniors and children with special needs. This measure met the state's pension obligation and provided for a $700 million increase in property tax relief.  This solution would have provided the revenue  to begin to fix our financial challenges and to protect middle class families from bearing an unreasonable tax burden. Unfortunately, this proposal never even received a vote in the House.

 

With limited revenue options available, Senator Kotowski voted for a budget that relied on borrowing funds to meet some of the state's present financial obligations including support for human services, health care and eduction. Dan worked to ensure that at least some good came of the Fiscal Year 2010 budget by inserting language in the budget bill to improve the accountability, efficiency, and quality of service of state agencies. For the first time in Illinois, State Agencies are authorized to establish goals and performance based measurements. Meeting these goals and the posting of these objective measurements on line will begin the very necessary steps of state government functioning more like the private sector.

 

Kotowski Continues to Support

Veterans

Dan continued his commitment to the men and women who keep America safe. He co-sponsored legislation that would require the Court of Claims to pay Line of Duty Awards more quickly (House Bill 361). He also sponsored a measure to provide tax credits for business that hire military veterans and legislation to  provide support services for the families of soldiers stationed overseas (Senate Bill 2046). Both of these initiatives have been signed into law.

 

 

Dan worked to keep credit card companies from taking advantage of college students by keeping more credit cards off campus (House Bill 2352). Every year, thousands of college students end up in deep debt because they are convinced to sign up for high-interest credit cards. The bill has been signed by the governor.

 

Do you need Assistance?
Visit our Website for 33rd District Constituents

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Community Xtravaganza

Senator Kotowski’s office, along with Maine West High School, the Des Plaines Youth Commission, and the Des Plaines Police Department hosted  a “Community Xtravaganza” on August 29, 2009.

 

 

The Fair provided an opportunity for residents to learn about businesses and services in their community.

 

Many local elected officials attended including Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan. Thank you to all of our friends and neighbors who attended or participated in this event.