Years served: 1997 - Present
Committee assignments: Veterans’ Affairs (Chairperson); Transportation, Regulation, Roads; Health Care Licenses; Business Occupational Licenses; Appropriations-Public Safety; Youth and Family; Personnel & Pensions; Affordable Alzheimer’s Services.
TAXES AND SPENDING
McAuliffe voted for a huge electric rate increase.
McAuliffe helped pass SB1652 – a huge electric rate increase sought by ComEd and Ameren. (2011)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted for the Democrats’ pork-bloated FY2008 $59 BILLION budget.
McAuliffe’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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted against electric rate relief.
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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted for a computer software sales-tax hike.
SB2205 raised state sales taxes on computer software by $64 million. (2004)
McAuliffe 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. McAuliffe voted to override most of the Governor’s line item vetoes. (2003)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted for Governor Blagojevich’s $10 BILLION bond deal.
McAuliffe voted to nearly double the state’s indebtedness with the largest bond issuance in Illinois history, by far. McAuliffe’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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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
McAuliffe 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, McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted to increase education spending by nearly $600 million.
McAuliffe’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, McAuliffe follows the Democrats’ dishonest argument that blames school failures on “not enough money.” (2007)
McAuliffe 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)
GAMBLING
McAuliffe voted to allow video poker at truck stops and VFW halls and to make it more difficult to regulate gaming operators.
McAuliffe voted for HB4927 - a controversial video poker bill that state gambling regulators fear will allow operators of illegal machines to stay in business throughout the state. The bill requires a felony conviction on gambling charges before regulators could deny a license to operate video gambling machines in Illinois. HB4927 further expands gambling by adding truck stops and VFW halls to the list of venues that will be allowed to have on-site video gambling machines that make payouts to patrons. (2010)
McAuliffe voted to allow video poker at OTB locations.
McAuliffe voted for SB744 allowing restaurants and bars attached to off-track betting locations to have video gambling machines. (2010)
McAuliffe voted for a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois.
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES
McAuliffe 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
McAuliffe 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
McAuliffe voted for the Illinois DREAM Act.
McAuliffe voted YES and helped pass the Illinois DREAM Act, legislation awarding special rights and benefits to undocumented immigrants in Illinois (SB2185). (2011)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted for in-state tuition for illegal aliens.
HB0060 allows undocumented immigrants to attend state universities at in-state tuition rates. (2003)
NANNY STATE
McAuliffe voted with the Radical Left for a ban on trans fats.
McAuliffe voted with the Radical Left for a ban on trans fats on food served in restaurants, movie theaters, cafes, bakeries, and through school vending machines (HB1600). Fortunately cooler heads prevailed in the Senate where the nanny staters and their ridiculous bill were defeated. (2011)
REFORM (or the lack thereof)
McAuliffe 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, McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe voted to water down ethics reform law.
McAuliffe 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 as “a big step forward.” (2009)
McAuliffe 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)
McAuliffe 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.
McAuliffe continues to keep rank-and-file Republicans from having the same voice all Illinois Democrats enjoy in their State Party. McAuliffe opposes 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 McAuliffe dishonestly still protects.
McAuliffe 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 McAuliffe were serious about reform. McAuliffe never joined the rank-and-file and more serious officials who overwhelmingly called for Kjellander’s immediate ouster. It’s only because McAuliffe 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.
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