Click on any question below to learn Mike Saville’s position on some key issues.
Besides my obvious love for Aurora, being born, raised and living in Aurora all of my life, I am running for Alderman because I have the experience (38 years as Alderman on the City Council), leadership, and ideas to move our City forward. I have Decades of Dedication, Leadership, and Experience going back to 1980 when I began serving on the Aurora Plan Commision!
We have made many improvements since I have been Alderman. There are challenges Aurora faces today, and I have a proven ability to work with people to solve them. I am not looking at Band-Aid approaches, but long-term solutions to solve our challenges. There is so much more we can do to make our city better for all our residents. We have so much we can build upon – a diverse population, great amenities, good infrastructure, and affordability. It requires – energy, partnership, creativity, ability to make tough decisions, common sense, and it takes leadership – and I have all that!
We have seen in recent years the final transformation of our Aurora Downtown! Tens of millions of dollars have been invested in our downtown in recent years. Our long vacant and historic buildings have been rehabbed and redeveloped, occupied, and open for business. We have wonderful restaurants in downtown Aurora and new businesses opening! The Paramount – the largest based subscription theater in the United States is leading the way. And in 2022 Copley Theater was renovated and open for more performances each year. We are a Happening City!
There are several issues that need to be tackled simultaneously. Safe neighborhoods are always the first priority together with economic development to expand our tax base. Aurora Downtown needs to continue on with the current economic development we are leading the way on. Aurora is a great place to live, work, and raise our families and we need to build on that. There are several issues all interrelated – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – We have experienced good economic development on the far east side, Route 56 Corridor, and the Orchard Road/Galena corridor for the far west side. And downtown Aurora has many amenities to offer and to take advantage of i.e., the Fox River, the Paramount, Copley Theater just renovated, Rivers Edge Park, Library, downtown Waubonsee Community College, River Walk, Fire Museum, Pierce History Center – we have much to build on to make our downtown a regional destination point. Additionally, we have to focus on economic development for the near east and near west sides. There needs to be living wage job creation and occupancy of vacant buildings. The only way the East Side and West Side School districts to financially improve is to boost the tax base. Our Economic Corridors – including our Lake Street Corridor needs economic development and redevelopment. The School Districts need businesses that create living wage jobs and improve their images. We have plenty of affordable housing surrounding the downtown areas and we must do all we can to promote density reduction and home ownership. The near east and near west sides of town needs to become a thriving economic engine of the City to help change the economic demographics and thereby improving the schools districts. TAXES – The city of Aurora collects about $2 out of every $10 in taxes collected. The City needs to continue to be fiscally responsible and transparent in budgeting. I know the schools are the majority of the tax levy but this ties back to economic development. As we improve development throughout the city, the tax base increases and it lessens the burden on the residents and property tax bills. CRIME / SAFETY – Aurora has all the issues of a large urban city (gangs, homeless, etc.) and we need creative partnerships lead by police, social service agencies, schools, businesses, citizens, etc. to work together. I will not be afraid to take risks and be creative. It will not be one big action but many smaller efforts working together. SCHOOLS – both West High and East High school districts continue to attempt to help students test scores. I believe we have to partner with the schools in making the districts economically stronger to keep their levies down, strict housing enforcement to lower density, and improve housing stock and enforce standards that improves the neighborhoods.
I have been a strong proponent of economic developments for over 42 years and I have approved billions of dollars of development, since I began serving on the Planning Commission in 1980. We must be aggressive and reach out to the business community looking at ways to make development easy in our city. TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and Micro – TIFs have been and are a good tool for economic development. Economic activity is the key and although our employment rate is low we can improve. We need business activity and more jobs. We can leverage our fiber network to attract companies, more retail and sales tax, etc. Our goal should be a “Gigabyte City” (like Chattanooga, Kansas City, and Santa Monica). We need to expand the tax base to lessen the burden on the levy and therefore the taxpayers. We also need to be fiscally conservative, always looking for cost savings, efficiencies, and better ways to accomplish our goals to lower costs. Aurora has a AA Bond rating!! I have voted for 38 years in a row of City of Aurora balanced budgets!! We must live within our means!!
Aurora is an attractive place to live. We have great and diverse neighborhoods, great housing stock, historic homes, housing within all prices ranges. We have 5 very good school districts, diverse religious institutions, people from all ages, and ethnic backgrounds. Aurora is a friendly and open community. By adding to our economic base, expanding economic development, increasing living wage jobs is the best way to attract people to Aurora. I co-sponsored the 2008 Crime Free Housing Ordinance and sponsored amendments to the 2018 Crime Free Housing Ordinance to make rental housing safe for both landlords and renters — thereby creating safer neighborhoods. I believe we need to do more with density reduction methods and resurrect the re-conversion grant funds to change multi-family homes back to single family homes (it was my idea to have a re-conversion program over 30 years ago). We need to support our Historic Districts as well. We need to continue to keep our infrastructure in good condition: roads, bridges, sewers, safe drinking water, and parks / open space, etc. And we need more parks / open space in our older neighborhoods. We have built 6 new parks in my ward in recent years (New Haven Park, Plum Park, Park on Iowa, Wilkinson Community Garden Park, Blackhawk Park, Palace Street Park). We must continue to build on making the downtown a destination point.
The City of Aurora is its own separate taxing and elected body. The School Districts are separate government entities as well. So the best way the City of Aurora can support our school districts is to be aggressive in expanding our economic tax base by getting businesses to locate in Aurora and thereby generating living wage jobs. I have always been a proponent of economic development incentives when it makes economic sense – being cautious in how we use City funds. Any proposed projects need to be evaluated to insure the city will get adequate return on their investment that makes economic and fiscal sense. The City needs to be careful not to be too free spending with incentives. And our City needs to focus on stable housing and code enforcement. The City also, needs to work with our State representatives to put pressure on Springfield at all levels to fund schools differently and not on the backs of our local taxpayers.
I will continue to work with the Aurora community as I always have. I have always been open and receptive to my 6th Ward constituents in listening to their concerns and getting services delivered to them or sponsoring legislation to help them. I have annual Town Hall meetings every year and will continue to reach out to the citizens of 6th Ward and attending neighborhood meetings and events. Working together we can improve our community and solve the challenges our City faces. Also, we need to be open, transparent, fiscally focused and willing to partner.
As Alderman of the 6th Ward, I represent three Historic Districts. I have been very supportive of our Historic Districts and will continue doing so. I have partnered with Mayor Irvin to resurrect the historic district grant program to fund, stabilize and uplift our older neighborhoods. The City has always taken a common sense approach to historic preservation, and I will continue to do so. There has always been a balance between historic preservation and economic development. It is important to use economic development to save and rehab architectural and historic buildings. I have always supported incentives to save historic buildings when it made economic development sense and I will continue to do so.
I have been able to add many more parks in the 6th Ward the last several years by working with the 6th Ward Fund, City of Aurora, Kane County, State Representative Linda – Chapa La Via, and the Fox Valley Park District. We have now New Haven Park, Blackhawk Park, Palace Park, Plum Park, Wilkinson Garden Park, and built in 2022 and dedicated in 2023 a new park on Iowa. Having green space and park amenity options are very important Quality of Life amenities to add to our 6th Ward for families so they can experience and enjoy!
Besides my obvious love for Aurora, being born, raised and living in Aurora all of my life, I am running for Alderman because I have the experience (38 years as Alderman on the City Council), leadership, and ideas to move our City forward. I have Decades of Dedication, Leadership, and Experience going back to 1980 when I began serving on the Aurora Plan Commision!
We have made many improvements since I have been Alderman. There are challenges Aurora faces today, and I have a proven ability to work with people to solve them. I am not looking at Band-Aid approaches, but long-term solutions to solve our challenges. There is so much more we can do to make our city better for all our residents. We have so much we can build upon – a diverse population, great amenities, good infrastructure, and affordability. It requires – energy, partnership, creativity, ability to make tough decisions, common sense, and it takes leadership – and I have all that!
We have seen in recent years the final transformation of our Aurora Downtown! Tens of millions of dollars have been invested in our downtown in recent years. Our long vacant and historic buildings have been rehabbed and redeveloped, occupied, and open for business. We have wonderful restaurants in downtown Aurora and new businesses opening! The Paramount – the largest based subscription theater in the United States is leading the way. And in 2022 Copley Theater was renovated and open for more performances each year. We are a Happening City!
There are several issues that need to be tackled simultaneously. Safe neighborhoods are always the first priority together with economic development to expand our tax base. Aurora Downtown needs to continue on with the current economic development we are leading the way on. Aurora is a great place to live, work, and raise our families and we need to build on that. There are several issues all interrelated – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – We have experienced good economic development on the far east side, Route 56 Corridor, and the Orchard Road/Galena corridor for the far west side. And downtown Aurora has many amenities to offer and to take advantage of i.e., the Fox River, the Paramount, Copley Theater just renovated, Rivers Edge Park, Library, downtown Waubonsee Community College, River Walk, Fire Museum, Pierce History Center – we have much to build on to make our downtown a regional destination point. Additionally, we have to focus on economic development for the near east and near west sides. There needs to be living wage job creation and occupancy of vacant buildings. The only way the East Side and West Side School districts to financially improve is to boost the tax base. Our Economic Corridors – including our Lake Street Corridor needs economic development and redevelopment. The School Districts need businesses that create living wage jobs and improve their images. We have plenty of affordable housing surrounding the downtown areas and we must do all we can to promote density reduction and home ownership. The near east and near west sides of town needs to become a thriving economic engine of the City to help change the economic demographics and thereby improving the schools districts. TAXES – The city of Aurora collects about $2 out of every $10 in taxes collected. The City needs to continue to be fiscally responsible and transparent in budgeting. I know the schools are the majority of the tax levy but this ties back to economic development. As we improve development throughout the city, the tax base increases and it lessens the burden on the residents and property tax bills. CRIME / SAFETY – Aurora has all the issues of a large urban city (gangs, homeless, etc.) and we need creative partnerships lead by police, social service agencies, schools, businesses, citizens, etc. to work together. I will not be afraid to take risks and be creative. It will not be one big action but many smaller efforts working together. SCHOOLS – both West High and East High school districts continue to attempt to help students test scores. I believe we have to partner with the schools in making the districts economically stronger to keep their levies down, strict housing enforcement to lower density, and improve housing stock and enforce standards that improves the neighborhoods.
I have been a strong proponent of economic developments for over 42 years and I have approved billions of dollars of development, since I began serving on the Planning Commission in 1980. We must be aggressive and reach out to the business community looking at ways to make development easy in our city. TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and Micro – TIFs have been and are a good tool for economic development. Economic activity is the key and although our employment rate is low we can improve. We need business activity and more jobs. We can leverage our fiber network to attract companies, more retail and sales tax, etc. Our goal should be a “Gigabyte City” (like Chattanooga, Kansas City, and Santa Monica). We need to expand the tax base to lessen the burden on the levy and therefore the taxpayers. We also need to be fiscally conservative, always looking for cost savings, efficiencies, and better ways to accomplish our goals to lower costs. Aurora has a AA Bond rating!! I have voted for 38 years in a row of City of Aurora balanced budgets!! We must live within our means!!
Aurora is an attractive place to live. We have great and diverse neighborhoods, great housing stock, historic homes, housing within all prices ranges. We have 5 very good school districts, diverse religious institutions, people from all ages, and ethnic backgrounds. Aurora is a friendly and open community. By adding to our economic base, expanding economic development, increasing living wage jobs is the best way to attract people to Aurora. I co-sponsored the 2008 Crime Free Housing Ordinance and sponsored amendments to the 2018 Crime Free Housing Ordinance to make rental housing safe for both landlords and renters — thereby creating safer neighborhoods. I believe we need to do more with density reduction methods and resurrect the re-conversion grant funds to change multi-family homes back to single family homes (it was my idea to have a re-conversion program over 30 years ago). We need to support our Historic Districts as well. We need to continue to keep our infrastructure in good condition: roads, bridges, sewers, safe drinking water, and parks / open space, etc. And we need more parks / open space in our older neighborhoods. We have built 6 new parks in my ward in recent years (New Haven Park, Plum Park, Park on Iowa, Wilkinson Community Garden Park, Blackhawk Park, Palace Street Park). We must continue to build on making the downtown a destination point.
The City of Aurora is its own separate taxing and elected body. The School Districts are separate government entities as well. So the best way the City of Aurora can support our school districts is to be aggressive in expanding our economic tax base by getting businesses to locate in Aurora and thereby generating living wage jobs. I have always been a proponent of economic development incentives when it makes economic sense – being cautious in how we use City funds. Any proposed projects need to be evaluated to insure the city will get adequate return on their investment that makes economic and fiscal sense. The City needs to be careful not to be too free spending with incentives. And our City needs to focus on stable housing and code enforcement. The City also, needs to work with our State representatives to put pressure on Springfield at all levels to fund schools differently and not on the backs of our local taxpayers.
I will continue to work with the Aurora community as I always have. I have always been open and receptive to my 6th Ward constituents in listening to their concerns and getting services delivered to them or sponsoring legislation to help them. I have annual Town Hall meetings every year and will continue to reach out to the citizens of 6th Ward and attending neighborhood meetings and events. Working together we can improve our community and solve the challenges our City faces. Also, we need to be open, transparent, fiscally focused and willing to partner.
As Alderman of the 6th Ward, I represent three Historic Districts. I have been very supportive of our Historic Districts and will continue doing so. I have partnered with Mayor Irvin to resurrect the historic district grant program to fund, stabilize and uplift our older neighborhoods. The City has always taken a common sense approach to historic preservation, and I will continue to do so. There has always been a balance between historic preservation and economic development. It is important to use economic development to save and rehab architectural and historic buildings. I have always supported incentives to save historic buildings when it made economic development sense and I will continue to do so.
I have been able to add many more parks in the 6th Ward the last several years by working with the 6th Ward Fund, City of Aurora, Kane County, State Representative Linda – Chapa La Via, and the Fox Valley Park District. We have now New Haven Park, Blackhawk Park, Palace Park, Plum Park, Wilkinson Garden Park, and built in 2022 and dedicated in 2023 a new park on Iowa. Having green space and park amenity options are very important Quality of Life amenities to add to our 6th Ward for families so they can experience and enjoy!