KOTOWSKI: LEGISLATORS MUST SACRIFICE TOO

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KOTOWSKI: LEGISLATORS MUST SACRIFICE TOO

SPRINGFIELD-State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) is calling for greater accountability in the General Assembly. He believes that legislators should place a freeze on their salaries and take furlough days.

"People all over the state of Illinois are losing their jobs, seeing their pay reduced, and being asked to come to work less often," said Kotowski. "The Governor is asking the same thing of state employees-freezing their salaries and asking them to take furlough days. We elected officials should do the same thing. We need to place a freeze on our salaries and take furlough days. Legislators should be leaders, not followers."

Senator Kotowski strongly believes that this is a time for change in Springfield. Before the legislature can tackle important issues like the budget or a capital bill, members of the Illinois House and Senate need to demonstrate a commitment to real ethics reform.

"We need to show the people of Illinois that we will no longer tolerate corruption," said Kotowski. "We need to expand transparency, increase accountability, and accept that the state government is going to have to make many of the same sacrifices as its citizens."

Kotowksi has long been on the forefront of confronting corruption and increasing government accountability. In the past, he has sponsored legislation to increase the transparency of state contracts, and he is currently sponsoring legislation that will bring legislators' pensions in line with those of state employees. He is also sponsoring a measure to make it easier for the Cook County Board to override the veto of County Board President Todd Stroger.

"I support freezing salaries and requiring furlough days of elected officials," said Kotowski. "If we are going to ask state employees to make these sacrifices, we need to take them, too. I will be supporting this legislation in the Senate. We legislators have to show we're going to lead by example."

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