Yingling Ready to Work All Summer to Pass Budget; Calls on Governor to Return to Negotiating Table

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, issued the following statement Wednesday – the last day of Illinois’ spring legislative session:

“My residents do not deserve the governor’s political games – they deserve a budget. And unless the governor’s budget impasse is resolved, Lake County residents will continue to face distressing cuts to important programs like mammogram screenings for women, college assistance for middle class families and Meals on Wheels for seniors, while property taxes continue to skyrocket.

“I know that the only way to pass a budget is through cooperation and compromise. Governor Rauner has made many demands as a precondition for passing a budget. When his proposals are in the best interests of my constituents, I have worked with him. When his proposals would hurt the middle class to pad the profits of big corporations and further enrich billionaire CEOs, I’ve said no.

“One of the governor’s demands was property tax reform, which is why I worked to pass a bipartisan property tax cut for all homeowners, with additional relief for seniors and veterans. The governor demanded Illinois improve the business climate, so we passed legislation to level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses in our communities and crack down on big corporations that take jobs out of the state. The governor demanded legislation to lower the cost of government. I just recently passed bipartisan legislation that would allow voters to eliminate wasteful layers of government and rein in property taxes. That legislation is heading for Governor Rauner’s desk as we speak.

“I am willing to continue working with the governor, but he has refused to come back to the table. I will be working hard during the summer to pass a budget and will remain ready to do whatever it takes to end this impasse. But we need the governor to return to the negotiating table and begin to compromise.”