Yingling to Support Streamlined Local Government as Chair of Counties and Townships Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, will continue to push for streamlined municipal governments as he serves as the new chair of the House Counties and Townships Committee. 

“Over the next two years, I look forward to working with my committee to help reduce unnecessary layers of government,” said Yingling. “My experience as a township supervisor taught me how local government improves the lives of hard-working families, but too much local government only burdens its citizens. Streamlining local government reduces that tax burden on Illinois families.”

Yingling formerly served as vice-chair of the Counties and Townships Committee, but was appointed as chair due to his experience with reducing and consolidating unnecessary municipal governments. Yingling backed Senate Bill 3 last session, which allows for townships to be consolidated or eliminated by referendum.

This year, Yingling is supporting bipartisan House Bill 348, which would allow residents of McHenry County to eliminate excess units of government by referendum and mandate a ten percent reduction in township property taxes. The bill also would eliminate overlapping road districts in Lake County, reducing the layers of government taxing residents.

“Streamlined local governments are efficient local governments,” Yingling said. “Streamlining and consolidating redundant layers of government helps simplify government, and it improves the ability to serve the people.”