Laura Murphy's first Senate day includes Rauner meeting
State Sen. Laura Murphy started at the Capitol Tuesday in the midst of a historically long budget stalemate, and her first day included a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The Des Plaines Democrat was appointed by local Democratic leaders to replace Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge, a former Senate budget committee chairman who moved on to run a Chicago nonprofit.
Before her meeting with Rauner, Murphy said she hoped to tell the governor that people are fed up with the budget impasse and the Republican's insistence on approval of his Turnaround Agenda.
"They're tired of being held hostage," Murphy said.
Murphy had previously served two terms as a Des Plaines alderman and will face election to the Senate next year.
"In local communities, we put partisan politics aside, and we work together," she said.
Her introduction to the Illinois Senate Tuesday included some gentle ribbing of Kotowski, who had reputation for long debates on the Senate floor.
"Both Republicans and Democrats would agree that Laura's going to be a big improvement over what we've been used to," Senate President John Cullerton said.
Murphy said she looked forward to working with everyone, "but I can guarantee you I am not going to talk as much as my predecessor," she said.