SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –  On Tuesday, legislation to give the people of Lake County the power to hold the Lake County Chief County Assessment Officer (Lake County Assessor) accountable to the voters on election day passed in the House with bi-partisan support.

The legislation, SB2544 HA1, places a binding question on the 2018 General Election ballot as to whether the currently unelected office of Lake County Assessor should be elected by the people. The position is currently appointed by the Lake County Board Chairman, who, unlike other collar county board chairmen, is not popularly elected as Chairman.

“This bill is about accountability and transparency for Lake County property tax payers,” said Yingling. “In Lake County, unlike our neighboring collar counties, voters do not have the ability to hold the County Assessor accountable for decisions that affect how much they pay in property taxes.”

Yingling’s measure earned support from good government advocates and several Lake County Township Assessors.

“Lake County has the one of the highest property taxes in the country, and it’s time to give voters the ultimate power to demand transparency and hold the Lake County Assessor accountable,” said Yingling.

The measure has been sent to the Senate for concurrence and will then be sent to the Governor.