Yingling Committed to Balanced Budget, Affordable Health Care despite Pandemic

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As the Illinois legislators met for an emergency session, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, supported a balanced, responsible budget that works for the middle class. He fought for a flexible budget to keep critical medical services open during the pandemic that also provides stricter legislative oversight of state spending.

“None of us could predict the magnitude the pandemic would have on our legislative priorities when we arrived in Springfield for the spring legislative session in January, so we have had to adjust and reconsider some of our priorities,” Yingling said. “There is still a lot of work left to be done, but I feel successful in knowing we helped address the most urgent needs of the state amidst COVID-19.”

Yingling supported measures to fully fund education and expand access to health care. Yingling voted in favor of Senate Bill 1864, which expands tele-health accessibility and mental health services within the state as they become more pertinent now more than ever. He also supported a budget that includes increased funding for Medicaid.

Additionally, Yingling backed Senate Bill 685 to fight for real property tax relief by creating a one-year deferral for seniors, veterans and the disabled. Throughout his tenure as state representative, he has made it a top priority to reduce property taxes for homeowners.

“Middle-class families need to be protected from gigantic corporations who are only concerned about increasing their profits off of the backs of our hard-working communities,” said Yingling. “Hard-working families cannot afford the high costs of health care and outrageous taxes, especially during this unprecedented health crisis. It is imperative that leaders throughout our state continue working together to ensure that middle-class families are able to stay in Illinois.”