Yingling-Backed Law Increases Transparency of Elected Official Compensation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his commitment to supporting good government legislation, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, backed a new law that will make it easier for residents to find information regarding the total compensation of county elected officials.

“Transparency is a critical component in ensuring local government is working in the best interest of taxpayers,” said Yingling. “Currently, the total compensation for countywide elected officials can be difficult for the public to find. Taxpayers deserve to know how much of their money is going to their elected officials, and now that information will be more accessible.”

Currently, countywide elected officials, such as the county clerk and county treasurer, receive compensation from both the county as well as the state, making it difficult for taxpayers to know officials’ rate-of-pay. To ensure that county government is being transparent to their constituents, Yingling voted in favor of the bipartisan House Bill 56, which requires counties to make information regarding the total compensation of countywide elected officials available to the public, regardless of the sources of funding.

As the Chairman of the Counties and Townships Committee and as the former Avon Township Supervisor, Yingling has long been a strong supporter of good government reform. In previous sessions, he has supported a number of bills to make local government more taxpayer-friendly, including barring politicians from receiving multiple taxpayer-funded pensions and consolidating redundant units of government.

“With the critical work that they do for their residents, it is important that we ensure local government is working on behalf of their constituents, not political interests,” said Yingling. “I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of residents to make local governments as transparent and resident-friendly as possible.”