SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To boost the economic recovery of small businesses in his district, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is highlighting the announcement of the Back to Business Grants that will help rebuild small businesses from the devastating impact of the pandemic. 

“The severe damage to small business in the past year cannot be understated,” said Yingling. “We must ensure that struggling small businesses have a chance to bounce back from the loss of income, resources, operating costs, and much more. The Back to Businesses grants are essential to bring our economy back on track. ”

Yingling has made it a priority to protect and revitalize small businesses. He has helped to pass numerous measures that create avenues of support for small businesses, including expanding tax credits and voting to enact financial relief programs.

The Back to Business Grants are a follow-up to the last year’s Business Interruption Grants and will provide small businesses across the state with access to crucial resources they need to recuperate. For more information or to apply, please visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website at illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/B2B.aspx 

“As someone who grew up working for my parent’s local restaurant, it is important to provide relief to small business owners who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Yingling. “We cannot turn our back on them during this difficult time, and I will continue to work in Springfield to ensure that they have the resources they need to get through this pandemic and back on their feet.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to be an accessible representative, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, talked with constituents at his Coffee with Sam event at Main Street Cafe in Round Lake Park. Yingling gave an update on his work on the Property Tax Relief Commission, and then gathered feedback from attendees on what they would like to see him advocate for moving forward. Throughout his time in office, Yingling has made it a priority to listen to constituents, holding multiple town halls and community events throughout his district.

“The best way for me to accurately represent my constituents in Springfield is to hear directly from them,” said Yingling. “Face-to-face conversations are invaluable as they show me what my constituents are thinking and what they want in the future. I want to thank everyone who took the time out of their weekend to meet with me, and I encourage any resident with questions or concerns to reach out to my office.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, working with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Avon Township, and several other local health organizations and vendors to host a free Health Care Fair for community members on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Round Lake High School, located at 800 Panther Blvd. in Round Lake.

“With flu season quickly approaching, it is important that we work to provide a safe and healthy community for all,” Yingling said. “By teaming up with IDPH and all of the other fantastic partners for this Health Care Fair, we can provide preventative health services at no cost to local residents and keep our communities healthy this winter and beyond.”

By partnering with IDPH, Yingling hopes to provide free flu shots and other preventative health care measures to support the community. Attendees will also receive more information from multiple local partners, such as Mano a Mano, an organization focused on immigrant family services, and NICASA, a mental health organization.

“Getting a flu shot not only helps prevent you from getting the flu, but it also seriously reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalizations for vulnerable community members who may not be able to get vaccinated themselves,” Yingling said. “I am thrilled to partner with IDPH to provide such an important service for no cost to the community.”

Yingling has hosted numerous events offering free services for residents and connect them with the information they need. He recently hosted a College Affordability and FAFSA Seminar aimed at helping local students become aware of the resources available to ensure their success.

For more information, please contact Yingling’s constituent office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – With the insurance marketplace open enrollment period starting Nov. 1, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is welcoming the Illinois Department of Insurance to present a Get Covered seminar to provide valuable information on how to enroll for health care coverage. The seminar will take place on Oct. 30 from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Round Lake Park District Building, located at 814 Hart Rd. in Round Lake.

 “Having quality health insurance is essential to having a healthy life,” said Yingling. “I encourage anyone, even those who currently have health insurance, to attend this seminar and learn what they can do to get the best coverage possible.”

During this past legislative session, Yingling was a supporter of bipartisan legislation that contained many reforms to Medicaid in Illinois, including increasing cost efficiency while still maintaining a high quality of coverage, increasing transparency in claims, and reducing patient barriers to healthcare. In addition, Yingling has taken a stand on recent health issues in the state, including calling for the closing of two facilities in Lake County that emit ethylene oxide, a chemical known to cause cancer in the communities where it is emitted.

“Learning about the different options you may have on the health insurance marketplace can save you time and money, and lead to better coverage,” said Yingling. “I would like to thank the Illinois Department of Insurance for presenting this vital information to my constituents.”

For more information on this event, please call Yingling’s District Office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to provide useful services to the community while also protecting public health, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is partnering with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Avon Township to host a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Avon Township Center, located at 433 E. Washington St. in Round Lake Park. The event is an opportunity for all residents to safely get rid of unneeded and expired medications.

“Not only does the Drug Take Back Day help provide residents an opportunity to declutter their home of their unused, expired or unwanted medications, but it also helps prevent potential opioid addiction,” said Yingling. “One of the most common ways for people to become addicted to opioids is by using others’ unused prescriptions that are sitting around, so I highly encourage everyone to come and safely dispose of your medication.”

Both in his district and Springfield, Yingling has worked to combat the opioid crisis. Yingling was a chief co-sponsor of the Heroin Crisis Act, bipartisan legislation that, among many other provisions, increases access to naloxone, an antidote for opioid overdoses. In addition, Yingling supported House Bill 163 this year, which would increase oversight of prescription medication and help track the flow of controlled substances like opioids.

Outside of legislation, Yingling has hosted an Opioid Town Hall with Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg and Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim to get feedback from the community on the opioid crisis in addition to hosting a previous Drug Take Back event in April, which collected more than 150 pounds of medication

“There is nothing more important than the health and safety of the members of our community,” said Yingling. “I am committed to continuing my efforts to fight against this terrible crisis.”

For more information on this event, please call Yingling’s district office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – To provide beneficial services to his constituents, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, will be hosting a Jobs Fair in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) on Oct. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University Center of Lake County, Room 142, located at 1200 University Center Dr. in Grayslake. Job seekers will be able to connect with employers, network with hiring managers, and receive information about resources for the unemployed and underemployed.

“Hard-working people deserve to have access to good-paying jobs that they can support their families with,” Yingling said. “My jobs fair is a fantastic opportunity for those who are looking for employment to see what’s available to them in the local market.”

For more information, please contact Yingling’s full-time constituent office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

Who:               State Rep. Sam Yingling

                        IDES

What:             Job Fair

When:            Thursday, October 24, 2019

Where:           University Center of Lake County

                        Room 142

                        1200 University Center Dr.

                        Grayslake, IL

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to be an open and accessible legislator, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, will be holding a Coffee with Sam event on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Main Street Café, located at 202 E. Main Street in Round Lake Park. At the event, attendees will be able to talk with Yingling while enjoying a complimentary cup of coffee.

“With all the new laws being passed over the last session, I am looking for feedback from my constituents now more than ever,” Yingling said. “I am looking forward to sitting down with members of the community and hearing what they would like for me to work on going forward.”

Since the end of the legislative session, Yingling has made it a priority to hear the thoughts and opinions from people and organizations throughout his district. In addition to previous Coffee with Sam events, Yingling also hosts town halls and seminars to interact with constituents on a variety of topics. Yingling also has visited libraries, hospitals, park districts and businesses throughout the district in an effort to get as much feedback and hear as many voices as possible.

“Hearing from those around my district helps me craft my legislative agenda more than anything,” Yingling said. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out to my office or me and voiced their ideas about what they would like to see from their state government.”

For any questions or to RSVP, please contact Yingling’s constituent service office at 847-231-6262 or repsamyingling@gmail.com.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is reminding residents that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With thousands of women in Illinois being diagnosed with breast cancer each year, Yingling wants community members to be aware of the issue and learn how they can take steps to reduce the risks that come with breast cancer.

“As someone whose parent is fighting a battle with cancer, I understand the toll that cancer can cause on individuals and families,” said Yingling. “Learning about breast cancer prevention is a key component of reducing the harm breast cancer can cause, and I implore everyone to take the time this month to learn how they can best protect themselves against this terrible disease.”

Over the past few years, Yingling has worked to protect Illinoisans against breast cancer in a variety of ways. During the budget impasse, Yingling fought tirelessly to pass a budget, citing the essential services that the state helps provide when it comes to preventative breast cancer care, including mammograms and other services. Recently, Yingling has been working to ban the use of ethylene oxide, a dangerous chemical that is linked to breast cancer.

“Our health and the health of our families is not something we can take for granted,” said Yingling. “While I work in Springfield to pass legislation to keep our communities as safe and healthy as possible, I hope that everyone can take a few minutes out of their day to learn about the steps they can take to keep themselves and their families healthy.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – Students and their families had the opportunity to learn more about the college financial aid process at the College Affordability and FAFSA Seminar, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, on Monday, Oct. 7. Yingling partnered with experts from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to help high school students and parents understand the basics of the financial aid process, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, scholarships and grant information.

“We need to do everything we can to keep our best and brightest in Illinois,” Yingling said. “Just understanding the college financial aid process can prevent students from leaving for out-of-state universities.”

Yingling also welcomed a representative from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to talk about the Illinois Commitment Program, which provides scholarships and grants that cover tuition and campus fees for families whose household income is $61,000 or less.

This spring, Yingling worked to build a stronger Illinois for working families and young people by supporting a bipartisan, balanced budget that increases funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant, which makes college more affordable for middle and lower-income students.

“Not knowing what resources are available to help students is sometimes the biggest blockade from them accomplishing their goals,” said Yingling. “I will continue to do my best to ensure that our students have resources to help them be as successful as they aspire to be.”

For more information, please contact Yingling’s constituent office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his commitment to provide services to benefit his constituents, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, will be a hosting a Job Fair with the Illinois Department of Employment Security on Oct. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University Center of Lake County, located at 1200 University Center Drive in Grayslake.

“My job fair is a fantastic opportunity for those who are looking for a job to see what’s available to them in the local job market,” said Yingling. “I am looking forward to connecting businesses in the area with the talented workforce that we have here in Lake County.”

At Yingling’s Job Fair, job seekers will be able to network with employers, submit their resumes, and receive information about resources for the underemployed and unemployed. Employers from a variety of fields, as well as a range of job opportunities, both full and part-time, will be present.

During his time in the General Assembly, Yingling has been a champion of economic growth and job development. In addition to his work in the district, including his previous job fairs, visits with local small business owners, and resume writing workshops, Yingling has also fought to make changes through legislation to stimulate economic growth, including supporting a bill to expand tax credits for small to medium-sized businesses.

“Hard-working people need to have access to good-paying jobs that they can support their families on,” said Yingling. “While I work in Springfield to get relief for middle-class families, I encourage anyone looking for a job to attend my job fair and see what opportunities they have available to them.”

To RSVP, please visit Yingling’s website at RepSamYingling.com. For more information, please contact Yingling’s constituent office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.