Did you know that our new Governor proposed a tax increase? (Probably) Did you know it passed the IL House on Memorial Day? (Probably not) Would you be surprised to hear that our Illinois State Representative, Sam Yingling, publicly opposed the bill for weeks and then voted YES?
His initial opposition was spot on because those of us in his District (Grayslake, Wauconda, Round Lake(s), Lake Villa, Gurnee) live in one of the highest taxed counties in the nation. But despite his noble objection, he didn't offer up any of his own ideas to improve the bill. And his objections to the tax increase didn't have anything to do with the state's out of control spending. Over and over again he said he would vote 'No' unless the bill included property tax reforms. Unfortunately for us, he voted 'Yes'.
So, why the change of heart? On Friday, three days before the vote, Speaker Madigan removed him from the Revenue and Finance committee. In Madigan controlled Illinois, after all, you can't have dissenting views. On Monday (Memorial Day), we discover that Yingling voted in favor of the Governors tax bill because some of his fellow state reps decided to form a property tax committee and "study" the issue. Isn't that reassuring. To me, that sounds like the cigarette smoker who says they'll only smoke cigars while they figure out a plan to quite smoking. In other words, the move is completely meaningless. Once again Sam Yingling casts his ballot to favor his position in Springfield over the people he represents in District 62.
