Cole Uses State Funds for Political Purposes

Illinois is broke and Representative Sandy Cole is using State funds for what can only be described as a political event.

The August 29^th event is billed as a “Women and Senior Health and Wellness Fair.”  But if this is a taxpayer paid “fair” for seniors, why is Sandy Cole prohibiting Avon Township – the area’s ONLY public provider of Emergency Assistances for seniors? 

The answer is politics:  Sandy Cole’s opponent is Avon Township Supervisor Sam Yingling.   In a letter sent on August 7th, 2012 from Avon Township to Cole, Yingling says “I hope we can put aside politics for the benefit of our mutual constituents.”  He goes on to explain that Avon Township is a major provider of a whole range of senior services, including low-cost transportation, discounted prescription drug cards, and the Township’s new Senior and Veteran Property Tax Assistance Program, the only one of its kind.

But Cole wouldn’t relent, barring Avon Township but allowing a select group of businesses, including campaign donors.  Given the fact that Avon Township was neither invited nor allowed to participate, it raises the question of what criteria Cole used to select the vendors.  In addition to donors, at least two vendors are clients of Cole & Associates, an accounting firm that Cole lists on her statement of economic interest. 

“You need to consider that vendors are being given a direct economic benefit, “said Yingling, “it’s grossly unfair to private businesses that are not included.   Sandy Cole should not be using our tax dollars to pick winners and losers, especially those that she profits from.”

Yingling decided to blow the whistle after putting it in perspective:  “I gave part of my salary to fund tax relief for seniors.   I’m worried about how our most vulnerable will survive in these tough times.  And here comes Cole wasting our hard earned tax money for self-promotion, its Illinois politicians like her that make us the laughing stock of the Country.”