Springfield, IL … Today, crucial legislation concerning insurance coverage for autistic individuals passed through the House Insurance committee unanimously. Senate Bill 679, sponsored by Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R-Elmwood Park), overwhelmingly passed the Senate last month and will now await consideration on the House floor.

The bill will preserve the insurance coverage for any persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder from any changes that may be implemented to the diagnostic criteria maintained by the American Psychiatric Association. Because the human psychology is a vast, complicated field of study, there are constant changes and advances made in the psychiatric practice. Due to this ever-changing field of study, the diagnostic criteria as to who may be medically deemed “autistic” can therefore be just as fluid. Senate Bill 679 works to protect individuals who have previously been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder from being disqualified from insurance coverage benefits due to the constant fluctuation in the autistic diagnostic criteria.

“All autistic patients deserve the right to sustain their insurance coverage regardless of the altering of the diagnostic criteria,” explained Representative Saviano. “The basis for their initial diagnosis of autism was, and always will be, supported with medical and psychiatric evidence. The passage of Senate Bill 679 is a must.”

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Springfield, IL … State Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) honored two local firefighters from the Franklin Park Fire Department with House Resolution 977. Lieutenant/EMT Robert Beuse and Firefighter/EMT Tommy Thomson were recently awarded the Medal of Valor Award by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall after they heroically rescued a civilian from a burning apartment.

Lieutenant/EMT Beuse and Firefighter/EMT Thomson noticed smoke pouring out from a garden-level apartment while driving through the village of Franklin Park. Although the location of the apartment complex was, in fact, outside of the Village of Franklin Park, Beuse and Thomson instinctively responded to the calls for help echoing from the apartment window. After breaking through the doorway, the firemen were not surprised to see someone lying on the living floor wrapped in blankets, completely engulfed in smoke. Because of the attentiveness and efforts of Lieutenant/EMT Beuse and Firefighter/EMT Thomson, a life was saved.

“Lieutenant Beuse and Firefighter Thomson are two prime examples of the types of people that put their own lives in danger in order to protect and save the lives of the people around them. Our first responders often go unnoticed and are, at times, underappreciated, however it is because of these men and women that our communities remain safe and families are able to live with peace-of-mind,” explained Representative Saviano. “I want to say ‘thank-you’ to both Lieutenant Beuse and Firefighter Thomson for their call to service.”
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Springfield, IL… State Representative Skip Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) honored Elmwood Park resident Midshipman Matthew Pacocha on his graduation from the United States Naval Academy with House Resolution 899.
Pacocha will graduate from the Academy in May 2012 with a degree in Systems Engineering. He spent time on various ships and vessels around the United States and exceled in programs and training exercises at Quantico and other facilities.
“I am proud to have such a dedicated and courageous constituent like Matt Pacocha from the 77th District,” Rep. Saviano said.
Pacocha is a member of the Semper Fi Society and got his first choice for service selection as Marine Corps Ground.

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Springfield, IL… State Representative Skip Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) was joined at the State Capitol this week by the St. Celestine’s eighth grade girls basketball team from Elmwood Park. Rep. Saviano honored the team with House Resolution 791 for having a perfect record of over 150 consecutive wins and bringing home the IESA Class 1A championship on Dec. 15, 2011.

Elmwood Park, IL… State Representative Skip Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) has helped secure $365,000 in state capital funds to assist Leyden Township in capital improvement needs.

Four separate capital projects grants were awarded to Leyden Township in the amounts of $180,000, $120,000, $15,000 and $50,000. These grants will be used for projects such as water distribution modernization, security system for Pump House and Water Tank, modernization of Pump House, new street lighting and other various capital improvements.

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“I was glad to hear Governor Quinn stress the need for Pension and Medicaid reform to reduce major costs in our state’s struggling budget. It is important that we focus new Medicaid reform legislation on preventing fraudulent use by tightening eligibility requirements. Additionally, we must make sure our pension cost-reduction measures do not shift the bills into other areas but eliminate the backlog of unpaid bills completely.”

Springfield, IL …. State Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano voted in favor of HB 3793 to provide much needed property tax relief to area homeowners.  In recent months, property owners have received property tax bills that had been exponentially increased, while the assessed value of their property had been reduced.
“Despite the fact that many property owners home values are declining because of the economy, their property tax bills continue to increase. This bill would have kept property taxes in line with changing property values.  I am disappointed the bill failed to pass the House,” said Saviano.

HB 3793 failed the veto override on a 34-73-5 vote.

“The inverse relationship between homeowners’ property taxes and the value of their home is somewhat tragic, especially when taking the current economic crisis into consideration,” explained Rep. Saviano. “With a record number of homes foreclosures, this bill might have provided enough relief to families on the edge of losing their homes.”

The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) currently raises property taxes by up to 5% or the rate of inflation. Because of the drastic decline in the housing market, the overall assessed values of homes dropped, taxing bodies increased levies at the rate of inflation. Thus, homeowners have seen an increase in their tax bills. Continue reading »