Yingling Backs Effort to Crack Down on Benefit “Double-Dipping” by Lake County Board

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Committed to making government more accountable to taxpayers, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is supporting legislation that would crack down on Lake County Board members who are “double-dipping” on taxpayer funds by collecting salary benefits while also receiving pensions benefits from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

“It is unacceptable that while middle-class families in our community are burdened by skyrocketing property taxes, politicians are abusing loop holes in the law in order to cash out on lucrative benefits,” Yingling said. “This legislation will crack down on this abysmal practice and ensure resources are invested in our community and its families.”  

Yingling is backing House Bill 2729, which would prohibit members of the Lake County Board from receiving any compensation from Lake County if they are receiving benefits from IMRF, otherwise referred to as “double-dipping” on taxpayer funds. Yingling is committed to advancing reforms that streamline municipal governments and make them more accountable to taxpayers as the new Chairman of the House Counties and Township Committee.

“My top priority has and always will be tax relief for the middle class. Advancing these sort of reforms are the top of my to-do list,” Yingling said. “I look forward to continue working with Republicans and Democrats to make government more accountable to taxpayers.”