Posted over at Prairie State Blue
On Monday, October 29 I filed for the upcoming primary elections with 3250 signatures from nearly 60 volunteers collecting in their own neighborhoods, train stations, and local shopping centers. I reached this goal through a strong team of supporters and a personal ground game. I was able to speak with voters from nearly every corner of the district. I heard from people who were concerned about their property taxes, education, soaring health care costs and the dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in Springfield.
I understand these concerns. I come from a background of finding creative ways to solve problems despite the obstacles. That is why I decided to run for State Senate and why I am running for re-election. Because it is not just about connecting with voters at the door or at a train station, it is about providing them with results, in the district and in Springfield.
Ten months. That’s how long I have been a State Senator. In that short span of time I have been the chief sponsor of 18 bills in the Senate, nine of them are now law in the State of Illinois. I have been a sponsor of another 86 bills and 51 of them are now law. I am proud of these accomplishments and I hope to be able to share with you these results and some of my goals in future posts.
Kotowski is a machine in the good way. He raises his own money (making him more independent) and works his tail off for his constituents. He’s also pushing for a sales tax cap on Cook County:
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Dan Kotowski (D- Park Ridge)
says Cook County should be as responsible as other counties regarding
sales tax increases.
Kotowski says, “Sales tax increases should be limited to 0.5 percent,
and any increase larger than that should be put to the voters.” He
added, “Communities can thrive under a responsible taxing structure, but
a prohibitive system will choke Cook County’s economic growth and place
an undue burden on residents and price hard-working business owners out
of business.”“Other counties in Illinois have sales tax increases capped at 0.25
percent. A half percent cap for Cook County is not only a reasonable
compromise, but it is also important for our economic viability.”
Kotowski says.Senator Kotowski plans to introduce legislation to cap Cook County’s
taxing ability and to require a voter referendum for any additional
sales tax increase.
Senator Kotowski has made it a priority to protect the pocket books of
taxpayers. He was a chief co-sponsor of a government transparency bill
that requires real-time online postings of all state contracts. He
refused to take his per diem during the overtime session, and will give
his raise to charity. Kotowski also fought for the 7% cap on property
tax assessment to keep people from being priced out of their homes.
Any bets on how long it takes the strident anti-Koto folks to find this post and begin trashing it up?
I wonder if you could clarify something. Does raising your own money mean that you don’t approach any big money making organization such as a special interest group or a corporation and you raise money directly from the people?
Without putting words in Larry’s mouth, Sen. Kotowski has tended to do his own work raising his own funds, rather than relying on other political orgs to fund him.
That’s not to say the S-Dems and other funds haven’t put money into the 33rd, but Sen. Kotowski more than holds his own which gives him flexibility in the caucus.
Primarily that he is less reliant on S-Dems and Emil for his campaign funds. In Illinois the Four Tops control most of the campaign funding for Members and so they are especially tied to being in favor with the leadership.
By raising his own funds–proportionally far more than most Freshman, he has more leeway.
Ultimately, it is Illinois and so to be competitive you are going to the PACs and some businesses–I don’t believe in unilateral disarmament so I’m fine with that, though I’m pretty sure Kotowski would be strongly for campaign finance reform.
Arch writes, “…though I’m pretty sure Kotowski would be strongly for campaign finance reform.”
You are correct (as just one quickly-Googled example).
I thought Jon Zahm was the hardest working man in Illiniois politics
[…] You can read State Senator Dan Kotowski’s post at Prairie State Blue. Senator Kotowski ran for Republican Dave Sullivan’s open seat and won in a district that had been Republican since 1860. Dan Kotowski is in many ways exactly the type of person you want in Springfield – somebody who makes an effort to connect with voters, has experience advocating for children and families, and has for-profit, non-profit and government experience. He also works hard to get results. As Dan puts it, […]