ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is highlighting the availability of housing assistance grants through the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA). Applications will open in April to support homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or property tax payments due to the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we continue to recover from the pandemic, many households are facing overdue mortgage payments, which can lead to foreclosure, housing insecurity and displacement,” Yingling said. “The ILHAF will help those at the greatest risk of foreclosure receive the aid they need to keep their homes.”

Funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars, the Illinois Homeowners Assistance Fund will offer grants of up to $30,000 of assistance to approved applicants to eliminate or reduce overdue mortgage and property tax payments. Applications will be considered based on degree of need, household income and other criteria. Applications open April 11 and the deadline to apply is May 31.

“The ILHAF is another example of state assistance as we grapple with the ongoing economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Yingling. “I highly encourage everyone in our community to apply for a grant if assistance is needed.”

For more information on how to apply and an online webinar detailing the application process, please visit https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/ilhaf.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – In recognition of Illinois Winter Weather Preparedness Week, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is encouraging residents to take a few minutes to learn about the many easy ways they can keep themselves and their families safe during the winter months.                                                                       

“With the cold weather fast approaching, now is the perfect time for residents to winter-proof their homes and vehicles,” said Yingling. “Many issues that arise due to the cold weather are preventable, and I highly encourage everyone to take a few moments this week to prepare themselves to avoid many common winter issues.”                          

In response to the dangerous conditions that winter weather can create, Yingling is highlighting the National Weather Service’s (NWS) winter safety tips. To winterize your home, the NWS recommends installing insulation, covering windows with plastic and keeping fire extinguishers on hand. To prepare vehicles for snowy and icy driving conditions, residents should keep their gas tank as full as possible to prevent condensation in the tank and maintain a storm kit in their car that includes water, snacks, blankets and flashlights. For more tips, please visit the NWS’s website at weather.gov/ilx/winter-prep.

“The winter months bring many dangerous situations that can be avoided by taking adequate precautions,” said Yingling. “It is never a bad idea to be prepared for the worst, and now is a great time for residents to be ready for the unexpected during the upcoming winter months.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – In order to ensure that those who serve our country are able to receive the resources they need to succeed once they are back home, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is recognizing Veterans Day as he continues his efforts to secure veterans the support they deserve.                                              

“After giving so much to keep our communities safe, it is imperative that we do everything we can to ensure that we are taking care of our veterans,” said Yingling. “No one who has put their life on the line to serve others should be left behind and not given the tools they need to succeed.”                                                                                        

Throughout his time in the General Assembly, Yingling has worked to provide needed resources to veterans. This session, he supported a bill that would help veteran-owned small businesses secure state contracts. Yingling also sponsored legislation expanding the definition of honorable discharge to include veterans who were discharged due to sexuality or gender identity, allowing them to receive benefits such as medical care and a military burial.                          

“With the many sacrifices they have made, it is our duty to give back and make sure that they have the resources they need,” said Yingling. “This Veterans Day and beyond, I will continue my efforts to ensure that our veterans know they are appreciated and are given the support they deserve.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to keep his constituents safe and healthy, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is encouraging residents to take advantage of the recently-open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace.                                                                       

“As has been exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, having quality health insurance is a major component of staying healthy,” said Yingling. “With the financial strains that many in our community must face that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, the last thing residents should have to deal with is figuring out how to pay off outrageously expensive medical bills. I urge residents to take a few moments over the next two months to see if there are health insurance plans that are right for them.”                 

As of Nov. 1 and until Jan. 22 2022, Illinoisans will be able to use the Health Insurance Marketplace to enroll in health insurance plans. With the addition of three new health care providers, up to 275 plans for residents to choose from and health insurance rates decreasing for many of the plans, Yingling is recommending residents visit https://getcovered.illinois.gov/ for more information or to shop for plans.

Throughout his time as a state representative, Yingling has worked to reduce health care costs. This session, he supported a bill that requires insurance companies to obtain permission from the Illinois Department of Insurance to raise their rates. Yingling also helped pass legislation reining in skyrocketing drug prices by capping co-pays for insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

“With the many benefits health insurance provides, such as protecting residents from unexpected medical costs and  expanding access to preventative care, it is critical that we are working to make health insurance as widely accessible as possible,” said Yingling. “Throughout this pandemic and beyond, I will continue to work to ensure that residents have the resources they need to lead healthy lives without breaking the bank.”

GURNEE, Ill. – To help residents dispose of old documents and protect themselves against identity theft, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, recently hosted a free community shred day with state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake.

“Shredding old documents with personally identifiable information reduces the risk for identity theft,” Mason said. “By disposing of old financial documents, medical records or other documents with personally identifiable information, residents can help keep their information safe and out of the hands of bad actors.”

At the event, community members had the opportunity to dispose of old documents and get rid of clutter. The Federal Trade Commission recommends regularly shredding old documents with personally identifiable information and financial information to help combat identity theft.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to keep drugs out of the wrong hands, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is encouraging residents to safely dispose of their expired, unused or unwanted medications during National Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 23.         

“In order to fight against the current opioid crisis and prescription drug abuse epidemic, we must all play a part in removing these medications from our home if they are unneeded or not being used,” said Yingling. “The longer that these addictive drugs are left around the house, the bigger an opportunity there is for someone to abuse them. Whether it’s to prevent addiction or simply to remove clutter from your home, I highly encourage residents to take advantage of the upcoming Drug Take Back Day.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were nearly 3,000 opioid-related deaths in Illinois in 2019, one of the highest amounts in the United States. In order to combat this crisis, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) partners with local law enforcement agencies and community organizations to provide a safe way for residents to get rid of their unneeded or old medications. For more information or to find a site near you, please visit takebackday.dea.gov.

Since entering the General Assembly, Yingling has worked to crack down on the abuse of opioids. He was a chief co-sponsor of the Heroin Crisis Act, bipartisan legislation that increased access to naloxone, an antidote for opioid overdoses. In addition, Yingling supported legislation increasing oversight of prescription medication and helping track the flow of controlled substances like opioids.

“With so many residents in our community struggling with opioid addiction, we must do everything we can to provide support to those recovering as well as work to prevent potential addiction before it ever happens,” said Yingling. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of my constituents, and I look forward to continuing my work to ensure residents have the resources they need to prevent and overcome addiction.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to combat fraud and help bring vital services into his district, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, hosted a Shred Day last week with state Rep. Joyce Mason.

At the event, attendees were able to dispose of documents containing sensitive information and get rid of clutter. The Shred Day is just one part of Yingling’s efforts to crack down on fraud. This session, he helped pass legislation that that keeps Illinoisans’ information safe from scammers by prohibiting a state agency from disclosing social security numbers in correspondence. In the past, Yingling hosted Senior Fraud Seminars to help inform those most likely to be targeted by scams on how to spot scammers and help protect themselves.

“Especially after a year in which people are already stretched thin, the last thing residents need is to have their personal information, such as their bank statements, stolen and used for nefarious purposes,” said Yingling. “One of the most important parts of my job as a representative of our community is to provide useful services, such as this Shred Day, to the public. Thank you to those who took the time out of their Saturday to take advantage of this opportunity. I look forward to continuing my work both at home and in Springfield to protect residents from those looking to defraud them.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – Due to his efforts to make Illinois a more environmentally-friendly state, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, was highlighted by the Illinois Environment Council (IEC) for his perfect environmental voting record during the legislative session earlier this year.                                   

“With record-breaking heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts, floods and other environmental disasters becoming increasingly regular, it is clear that climate change is real, it is here and it will continue to get worse unless we do our part and make our state more sustainable,” said Yingling. “Working towards a cleaner environment also protects the health of residents, invests in our local economy and creates thousands of jobs. While we were able to take major steps this session towards the goal of creating an environmentally-friendly state, there is still much more works that needs to be done. I look forward to continuing to work to ensure we are leaving our children as clean a world as possible.”           

This session, Yingling helped pass a number of bills protecting the environment. He voted in favor of a landmark energy package that puts Illinois on the path to a 100% clean-energy future while creating jobs across the state. He also voted to help pass a measure that lifts unnecessary restrictions on solar panels for those living in condominiums. Yingling also supported a bill that requires municipalities to work to remove and replace lead pipes.

“Every time it counted, Yingling stood up for our environment, public health and meaningful action on the urgent climate crisis,” said IEC Executive Director Jen Walling. “Illinois will be a cleaner, safer place to call home because of the leadership Yingling demonstrated this session, and we look forward to building on that legacy together in the future.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – In his efforts to promote women’s rights in the workplace, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is highlighting the announcement of a new outreach partnership between the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) and several community organizations. 

“Providing materials to support women workers is crucial to ensure access to equitable employment and higher wages,” said Yingling. “This program will deliver important information to women across the state who may not have access to systems of support for improving their jobs and careers.”

The recently-announced partnership is the result of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fostering Access, Rights and Education (FARE) grant program. IDOL will be working alongside advocacy groups like Women Employed to assist female workers’ understanding of their benefits and wages, as well as develop training strategies to increase career advancement in their communities.  

Yingling is an ardent advocate for women’s rights. In 2019, he voted for the Illinois Reproductive Health Act to preserve reproductive rights for all Illinoisans. Later he helped pass a resolution calling on Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. He has also organized an advisory committee on women’s issues and will continue to support the measures that strengthen career assistance for women. 

“Women’s rights is not an issue of the past,” said Yingling. “We must continue to look for better ways to improve the lives of women across the board in every sector of the economy while making sure their rights as workers and women are protected.

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ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – To help residents avoid identity theft and clear clutter, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is hosting a free community Shred Day with state Rep. Joyce Mason on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Woodland Elementary School, located at 17371 W. Gages Lake Rd. in Gages Lake.

“With the many issues that residents have had to face over the past year, the last thing they need is to have to deal with having their identity stolen,” said Yingling. “This Shred Day is a great opportunity for people in our community to securely get rid of documents containing sensitive information.”

At the event, residents will have the opportunity to safely dispose of their documents that contain personal information. Attendees are encouraged to bring any documents that criminals could take advantage of, such as bank statements and medical records, to the shred day. The documents will be shredded on-site, ensuring that all personal information is destroyed. The event will run until 1 p.m. or until the shred truck reaches capacity. Business shedding will not be accepted.

“One of the most important parts of my job as a representative of our community is to bring resources into our district, whether through legislation or events such as this Shred Day,” said Yingling. “Proper disposal of sensitive documents can mean the difference between identity theft and financial security. I highly encourage residents who are looking to get rid of their paper documents to take advantage of this free event.”