SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D–Grayslake, passed an omnibus government accountability reform package, which had the input of Lake County Chairwoman Sandy Hart, Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court Erin Cartwright Weinstein, and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim. His legislation aims to address recent corruption scandals within Lake County government.

“Elected officials have the duty to act in the best interest of local families, and this legislation will bring much needed accountability and transparency to local government,” Yingling said. “I want to thank my colleagues, Chairwoman Hart, Treasurer Kim and Clerk Cartwright Weinstein for working with me on this legislation.”

Yingling championed Senate Bill 1236, which is an omnibus of initiatives that would:

• Allow a county board to vote to remove an unelected county board chairperson;
• Ensure elected officials do not receive both compensation and pension benefits from the same position while still serving;
• Establish transitional audits for the offices of incoming countywide officials to ensure funds were properly used; and
• Require contract vendors to disclose relationships with county officials before they can win contracts.

“Local residents want government that holds fast to transparency and accountability,” Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim said. “As your Lake County Treasurer, I applaud Rep. Yingling for his leadership on this. The ability to conduct a transitional audit will allow my office to improve transparency and accountability for current and past practices.” 

Yingling’s legislation passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support and has been signed by Gov. Pritzker.