Illinois General Assembly

Years served: 1993 - Present

Committee assignments: Public Utilities; Health Care Licenses (Republican Spokesperson); Aging; Appropriations-Human Services; Business Occupational Licenses; Appropriations-Public Safety; Health & Healthcare Disparities. 

 TAXES AND SPENDING 

Saviano voted to raise sales taxes and fees.

Saviano voted for HB255 significantly raising the sales tax on a number of grocery related items including beverages, candy, and health and beauty aids. Taxes on beer, wine and other alcohol were also hiked. HB255 also triples the driver's license fee. Further, this bill legalizes video gambling for bars and taverns. You can call that a "voluntary" tax if you want - but it still represents a big tax hike. Those bars and taverns don't just hand over a big cut of their gambling machine proceeds to the state out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a tax that gets the state its share of the machines' take. (2009)

Saviano voted for Governor Blagojevich's diversion of $385 million from the state's general revenue fund to the Regional Transportation Authority.

SB0307 proposed using sales tax collected on motor fuel sold within the six Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will) to fund the region's mass transit systems. (2007) 

Saviano voted for the Democrats' pork-bloated FY2008 $59 BILLION budget.

Saviano's vote for HB3866 demonstrates inability as a legislator to seriously address Illinois' chronic fiscal crisis that's attributable to out-of-control spending, an antiquated pension system, and government corruption. (2007)

Saviano voted to increase the cigarette tax in Illinois.

HB0556 increases the cigarette tax in Illinois by $0.90 per pack. HB556 also allows the counties of Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will to implement an additional $1.00 tax per pack. (2007)

Saviano voted to allow the Mayor of Chicago to DOUBLE the telephone tax.

SB0837 would give Mayor Richard Daley the ability to raise the telephone tax from $1.25 to $2.50 per month for all customers. (2007)

Saviano did not vote for electric rate relief.

Saviano was in attendance when the vote was taken, but voted "present" refusing to take a principled stand. In January 2007, a 10-year electric rate-freeze expired, exposing thousands of Illinois residents to huge increases in their electric bills. SB1592 provided $1 billion in rate relief to Illinois consumers. More importantly, the law establishes an independent Illinois Power Agency that will be responsible for planning and purchasing electricity at the lowest possible price for consumers. (2007)

Saviano voted for Governor Blagojevich's ALL KIDS universal health insurance plan.

Critics of HB0806, a bill that would cost $45 million in its first year alone, said they feared that such a sweeping offer could end up costing far more at a time when the state's budget is already strained. The program can also be expected to turn Illinois into a magnet for families from other states desperate to insure their children. (2005)

Saviano voted to increase the real estate transfer tax by $30 million.

SB0075 increased the cost of selling a house in Illinois by adding a $10 tax to closing fees. (2005)

Saviano voted to allow non-Home Rule sales tax increases to double.

According to National Taxpayers United of Illinois, SB0272 allows non-Home Rule municipalities to increase their sales tax 100%. Governor Blagojevich rightly vetoed the bill, but his veto was overridden. (2005)

Saviano voted against reducing the taxpayers' burden to the state pension fund by $1.1 BILLION.

According to National Taxpayers United of Illinois, SB0027 limited end-of-career salary hikes for government school teachers and other government employees to 6% instead of the usual 20%. Such a reform would reduce state taxpayers' contribution to state retirement funds by over $1.1 billion yearly. (2005)

Saviano voted for Governor Blagojevich's FY2005 Partial Operational Budget totaling $45.5 billion.

SB3340 included substantial increases for healthcare and education but did not address out-of-control spending. According to National Taxpayers United of Illinois, after months of debate in the legislature, the FY2005 Capital Budget was passed totaling $9.1 billion. FY2005's $54.6 billion state budget represented a 4% or $2 billion increase over the FY2004 budget. (2004)

Saviano voted for a state income-tax increase that hits Illinois businesses for $29 million.

According to National Taxpayers United of Illinois, SB2207 redefines that phrase "business income" in a way that benefits the big-spenders in Springfield. (2004)

Saviano voted for a computer software sales-tax hike.

SB2205 raised state sales taxes on computer software by $64 million. (2004)

Saviano voted for a $750 million pork spending bill.

SB1239 included $300 million in new pork spending and about $450 million to finish projects started by former Governor George Ryan. $556 million of the pork spending bill was vetoed by Governor Blagojevich. Saviano voted to override most of the Governor's line item vetoes. (2003)

Saviano voted for a property tax hike to increase patronage employees' pay.

SB1881 will cost taxpayers $31 million per year. Governor Blagojevich vetoed SB1881. Both Houses overrode the veto. (2003)

Saviano voted to raise the state corporate income tax for industries that use heavy machinery.

SB0842 raised state corporate income taxes $59 million for industries that use heavy machinery. The tax will hit consumers of oil, coal, and graphic arts companies. (2003)

Saviano voted for an income-tax hike on natural gas.

SB1733 is a $42 million income-tax hike on Illinois businesses that choose to purchase cheaper out-of-state natural gas. (2003)

Saviano voted to keep the Illinois Death Tax alive.

SB1725 kept the Illinois Estate Tax alive, even as it was being phased out at the federal level. According to National Taxpayers United of Illinois, this new death tax will cost Illinois taxpayers as much as $500 million per year by 2010. (2003)

Saviano did not vote against eliminating income tax deductions. 

Schmitz was in attendance when the vote was taken, but chose not to vote for or against, refusing to take a principled stand. According to the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, SB1634 eliminated income tax deductions pivotal to businesses struggling to continue to operate during hard times. (2003)

Saviano voted for Governor Blagojevich's $10 BILLION bond deal. 

Saviano voted to nearly double the state's indebtedness with the largest bond issuance in Illinois history, by far. Saviano's vote for HB2660 also helped net controversial Republican National Committeeman Bob Kjellander $809,000 in "finder's" fees. Kjellander is a key figure in an ongoing probe of corruption in Illinois. (2003)

Saviano voted with the Democrats to greatly increase fees on Illinois trucking companies.

By greatly increasing the fee burden on Illinois trucking companies, SB0841 nearly destroyed the industry in our state. (2003)

Saviano voted for 300 tax and fee increases (Governor Blagojevich's FY2004 $52.6 billion budget).

SB1903 increased state spending by 9% (or $6.5 billion) by the end of fiscal year 2004, and imposed $350 million in tax hikes, mainly on Illinois businesses. According to the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, SB1903 added $2 BILLION to the cost of doing business in Illinois. (2003)

 EDUCATION 

Saviano voted to exempt teachers, principals and school superintendents from FOIA disclosure.

At the urging of the teachers' unions and just months after approving what was billed as a sweeping reform of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Saviano voted for SB315. The bill exempts from FOIA disclosure of performance evaluations for teachers, principals and school superintendents. Also supporting SB315 was the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 which seeks the same exemption for all public employees who receive performance evaluations. (2010)

Saviano voted to prohibit parents' right to alternative education.

HB0232 prohibits the State Board of Education and school boards from establishing, maintaining, or in any way supporting any virtual schools or virtual classes for elementary or secondary students in this State. (2007)

Saviano voted to increase education spending by nearly $600 million.

Saviano's vote for HB3866 proves he is incapable and unwilling to address the public education-spending crisis in Illinois. Instead of leading with bold reforms, Saviano follows the Democrats' dishonest argument that blames school failures on "not enough money." (2007)

Saviano voted for a $45 million taxpayer-funded experiment - Universal Preschool. 

According to National Taxpayers United of Illinois, SB1497 will once again prove that "universal preschool" schemes yield benefits that simply do not justify the costs involved. (2006)

 STEM CELL RESEARCH 

Saviano sponsored legislation seeking $1 billion for stem cell research.

HB3815 would have asked the General Assembly to let the voters decide by public referendum whether to issue $1 billion in bonds to fund stem cell research over the next decade in Illinois. Bond debt to create and fund the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute would have been serviced by a 6% tax on elective cosmetic procedures. (2007)

Saviano voted for taxpayer funded embryonic stem cell research.

SB0004 was signed into law at the end of August 2007, capping off a long effort to proceed with all forms of stem cell research, including human embryonic. SB0004 became effective January 1, 2008. (2007)

 GAMBLING 

Saviano voted for a massive expansion of gambling.

Saviano voted for HB255 - a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois. HB255 legalizes video gambling for bars and taverns, and permits Internet Lottery on computers and cell phones. Video gambling machines are often called the "crack cocaine" of gambling because of the speed of play and the rapid onset of addiction. (2009)

Saviano voted for a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois.

Saviano voted for the massive gambling expansion bill - HB 2651. Passage of HB2651 would have meant 3 new casinos, new gambling machines at racetracks, the introduction of electronic poker games, plus many other expansions. The good news is this irresponsible bill failed with 55 State Representatives voting "no" and 47 voting "yes." A three-fifths majority was required for passage. The bad news is it was a big chunk of the GOP caucus led by House Minority Leader Tom Cross who was on Governor Rod Blagojevich's side in trying to pass HB 2651. (2008)

Saviano voted to subsidize horseracing through riverboat casinos.

HB1918 requires riverboat casinos that have gross receipts of more than $200 million in 2004 to pay 3% of their adjusted gross income to the Horse Racing Trust Fund. (2006)

Saviano voted to legalize video gambling in bars across Illinois.

HB1124 would have legalized gambling on video game "contests" of two or more in bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and other venues. (2007)

Saviano favors a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois, possibly including up to 3 new casinos.

Despite a recent Rasmussen poll showing voters are opposed to expanding gambling by a margin of almost 2 to 1, Saviano supports expanding Illinois' gaming positions and the addition of at least one new casino to be owned by the City of Chicago. Two other additional casinos are also being discussed as part of House Minority Leader Tom Cross' $5 BILLION infrastructure plan.

 PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES 

Saviano sponsors legislation to legalize "medical" marijuana

HB5938 aims to legalize "medical" marijuana in Illinois. In 2007, Illinois lawmakers rejected a proposal that would have legalized "medical" marijuana. The measure failed 22-29 in the State Senate. Republican State Senator Dave Syverson was the only Republican to vote in favor of the bills passage. Both Syverson and Saviano are members of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee.

Saviano voted to allow alcohol to be sold near schools.

SB2445 removed the restriction that had prohibited alcohol sales within 100 feet of a school entrance. (2006)

 GAY RIGHTS 

Saviano voted to add sexual "orientation" to the Illinois Human Rights Act.

HB3186 amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to add sexual orientation to the list of other protected classes already covered by the act (like race, gender and religion). The intent of this "gay rights" bill, as stated by its sponsor, is to force public acceptance of sexual behavior irrespective of those who morally or conscientiously object to the homosexual lifestyle. (2005)

 ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION 

Saviano voted to make it more difficult to enforce the nation's immigration laws.

HB1744 amends the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act to prohibit employers from enrolling in any Employment Eligibility Verification System. (2007)

Saviano voted to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Under HB1100, anyone would be able to obtain a driver's license without proof of citizenship and with no Social Security number. They can call it a "driver's certificate" - they can call it anything. But the fact is HB1100 would allow an illegal immigrant to obtain full driving privileges. That's a driver's license pure and simple. (2007)

Saviano voted to force state and local governments to recognize "consular identification cards" issued by foreign governments.

SB1623 forces state and local governments to recognize the consular identification cards issued by foreign governments and commonly used by illegal Mexican immigrants. (2005)

Saviano voted for in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

HB0060 allows undocumented immigrants to attend state universities at in-state tuition rates. (2003)

 REFORM (or the lack thereof)

Saviano voted to exempt teachers, principals and school superintendents from FOIA disclosure.

At the urging of the teachers' unions and just months after approving what was billed as a sweeping reform of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Saviano voted for SB315. The bill exempts from FOIA disclosure of performance evaluations for teachers, principals and school superintendents. Also supporting SB315 was the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 which seeks the same exemption for all public employees who receive performance evaluations. (2010)

Saviano voted to water down ethics reform law.

Saviano voted to exempt transportation projects from the new ethics law (SB761). Despite the awesome demands of riding around on a High Horse every day since Rod Blagojevich's arrest lecturing about the need to reform Illinois' culture of corruption - state lawmakers still somehow found time to gut their own brand new "landmark" ethics reform law. This of course would be the same ethics reform law these same lawmakers hailed just a few months ago as "a big step forward." (2009)

Saviano voted to make it more difficult for write-in candidate to get on the ballot.

SB662 changed the deadline for filing to be a write-in candidate to 61 days before an election.  The purpose for this change is purely for incumbent protection. (2007)

Saviano desperately opposes a common sense reform that would once again allow ALL Republicans to directly elect the senior leadership of their own Illinois Republican Party.  

Saviano continues to keep rank-and-file Republicans from having the same voice all Illinois Democrats enjoy in their State Party. Saviano opposed SB600 - returning to the better system of direct election Illinois Republicans used until the late 1980's. Illinois has been a "Blue State" ever since the change to the easily corruptible system Saviano dishonestly still protects. (2005)

Saviano did nothing to help cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of the tainted National Committeeman Bob Kjellander.

Bob Kjellander could have been removed and replaced with an honest leader a lot earlier, if only Republican "leaders" like Saviano were serious about reform. Saviano never joined the rank-and-file and more serious officials who overwhelmingly called for Kjellander's immediate ouster. It's only because Saviano and a tiny handful of other old guard faces refuse to unify on reform that even this simplest of clean-ups remain difficult to accomplish.