A former Des Plaines alderman was chosen Monday night by Democratic leaders to serve the remainder of Sen. Dan Kotowski’s term in the Illinois Senate. Kotowski announced his resignation from office earlier this month.
Laura Murphy, of Des Plaines, who has served as committeeman for the Maine Township Regular Democratic Organization since 2002, was chosen by Democratic leaders in the 28th District to fill the seat until the 2016 election. Murphy said she plans to run next November for a full term in the Senate.
Kotowski, of Park Ridge, said he’ll leave office Oct. 5 to become CEO and president of Chicago-based ChildServe, an organization that offers foster care and manages group homes in Lisle, Naperville and Downers Grove.
He said he supports Murphy’s candidacy for the seat “absolutely.”
“The district, the people of this area, will be very well served with her as my replacement, but also in her running and hopefully winning next year, because she’s got a great heart and a great mind for public service,” Kotowski said.
Murphy was the only person to express serious interest in taking over Kotowski’s seat, said Mike Cudzik, Schaumburg Township Democratic Committeeman.
Murphy said she’s motivated to serve the district’s residents, and offer her own ideas and opinions in Springfield. Murphy will take her seat in the Senate in the midst of an almost three-month-long budget stalemate.
In recent months, Kotowski, who joined the Senate in 2007, has condemned Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s efforts to cut social service programs, including child care.
As far as child care is concerned, Murphy said, “How can working families work if you don’t have adequate child care?” But she said she hasn’t yet solidified an agenda of items she’d like to work on while in the Senate.
Kotowski’s seat could be a potential target for Republicans in next year’s election, and Rauner has indicated he’s willing to use his own money and that of his allies to curb Democratic power in Springfield.
Murphy said she’s prepared for a Republican challenge in the suburban swing district.
More Top Picks Best Sandblasting Cabinets
“I’m going to ring doorbells through the district every day,” she said. ” I don’t think I’ll be outworked by anyone in the Republican organization.”
Her goal, Murphy said, is to represent the concerns of “working families,” and she believes she’ll find common ground with constituents on the issues facing the district and state.
“Hopefully that will trump all the money the governor wants to throw into this race,” she said.
Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz said he was urged by members of the community to consider putting his hat in the ring for the job after Kotowski announced his plan to resign.
“I will say that working through it with my family, I just don’t think it’s the right time,” he said.
Murphy will be sworn into office Oct. 5, Cudzik said.
Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Twitter: @TribLocal