Written by Kotowski Staff Monday, 18 April 2011 10:05
"We need to get Illinois back on the right track. We should avoid borrowing funds, and make sure the state meets its financial obligations," Senator Kotowski (D–Park Ridge) said. "We’ve made a significant step forward, forcing the state to live within its means, just like households and businesses that operate all across Illinois." Senator Kotowski co-sponsored the passage of the pension payment package, enabling the Senate to move into the second phase of its plan to end the reckless spending of the past. The first phase was completed in March when the state Senate identified available revenues. The passage of Senate Joint Resolution 29 put the Fiscal Year 2012 revenue estimate at $34.28 billion. In the second phase, the state is paying its mandatory financial obligations, which determines what revenue is actually available for agencies and programs. In the third phase, state funds will be allocated to agencies and programs based on their impact and return on investment to Illinois taxpayers. The Senate Appropriations committees will continue hearing testimony from state agencies that are being forced to comply with the recent spending reforms. Progress is being made. For example, the Department of Human Services has committed to cut top department salaries by up to 25 percent.
Springfield, IL—Senate Appropriations II Chairman Dan Kotowski said, "The Senate is making real progress on instituting historic spending reform. For Fiscal Year 2012, there will be no borrowing to make the state’s pension payments." On Friday, the Illinois Senate passed three bills that allocate funds so that the state can meet its pension obligation without borrowing.
Senator Kotowski Menu
33rd District
Years served: 2007 - Present
Committee assignments: Financial Institutions (Vice-Chairperson); Human Services; Appropriations II; Commerce (Chairperson); Criminal Law; Committee of the Whole; Criminal Law Subcomm. on Firearms; Subcomm.Medicaid &Provider Rate Ref; Crim. Law Subcom Enhance/Redundancy.
Biography: Born and raised in Chicago, Dan lives with his wife Anne and sons Nate and Cooper in Park Ridge. He is educated in Illinois (Loyola Academy, University of Illinois, and DePaul University) and committed to public service.