Yingling Bills Addressing Corruption Pass Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his commitment to reduce corruption, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, oversaw the passage through the Counties and Townships Committee of a package of bills addressing corruption and increasing accountability in local government.

“When politicians are unaccountable to the people they are supposed to serve, corruption flourishes,” Yingling said. “Public officials have a responsibility to the public, and when they fail to uphold that obligation, the people deserve an outlet to remove them from office. With the passage of these bills in my Counties and Townships Committee, we are one step closer to giving people that outlet.”

Yingling’s package of bills includes House Bill 3593, which would allow county boards to remove a county board chairperson who was not elected by the county at-large. Yingling’s measure would provide a check on the power needed to ensure unelected county board chairs are held accountable by elected officials and the people.

Yingling also passed House Bill 3596, which would require county auditors or an independent auditor to conduct an audit at the request of newly elected countywide officials.

“Every level of government requires checks and balances to ensure that officials are working for the residents of their communities,” Yingling said. “After the vast corruption and misconduct that we experienced under the former Lake County Chair, these measures are desperately needed to prevent abuse of power and protect taxpayer money and resources.”