Sam Yingling: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: GrayslakeWebsite: www.samyingling.comOffice sought: 62nd District Representative Age: 34Family: Engaged with three childrenOccupation: Full time legislatorEducation: Graduated from DePaul University where he studied Public Policy and Administration and Urban Planning.Civic involvement: Current member and former president of the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce; Advisory board member for Mano a Mano Family Resource Center; Served on Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Foundation BoardElected offices held: State Representative 62nd District Avon Township SupervisorQuestions Answers How will you work to make the General Assembly function more productively and effectively? Wlll you vote to retain your party's current legislative leader? In what specific ways do you support changing how government in Springfield works?Fixing a broken system is what compelled me to run for public office. Being independent, putting the issues ahead of partisan bickering, is the best way to make the General Assembly more productive. We must focus on problem solving rather than blaming others.If the Supreme Court, strikes down the SB 1 pension reform, what is your Plan B and why do you think it would be both legal and effective?I believe it's counter-productive to deal with hypothetical scenarios, especially as it relates to Constitutional matters. That said, I will continue to do whatever it takes to stabilize our pension system, protect retirees, and restore Illinois to fiscal heath.As it stands now, the 2011 income tax increase will expire as planned on Jan. 1. Do you think that expiration should be reconsidered? Would you support making the increase permanent or extending it for some period of time? Please be specific about what level of tax increase, if any, you would support.Although I wasn't in the GA when the tax increase was passed, it was billed to the public as being temporary. I believe it is important to maintain the commitment that was made and ensure the income tax increase expires.Do you support cuts in state spending? If so, what specifically do you suggest cutting and how will those cuts be sufficient to restore the state's financial health and economic climate?Illinois has more layers of government, more taxing bodies, than any other state in the country. We must cut wasteful spending by eliminating redundant layers and consolidating services. When I was Township Supervisor I cut tax levies by 22% and called for the elimination of my own position.What changes, if any, do you believe the state should make in the area of education? Would you support the the so-called pension cost-shift to local schools?My district, Lake County, has among the highest property taxes in the Country, and the pension cost shift will further burden local taxpayers. Illinois needs a comprehensive plan to re-prioritize education and how it's funded.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Instead of raising taxes on working families, I am committed eliminating unnecessary levels of government. Billions of taxpayers' dollars are wasted by government agencies that are not cost-effective. This is something I feel strongly about and have been working on since before I took office. During the 97thGeneral Assembly, I supported SB 171, calling for the dissolution of township governments and redirecting the saved revenue toward the schools in those townships. This year, as a freshman legislator, I was a chief co-sponsor of HB 5785 that will allow for the consolidation of several local government boards and districts.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Teachers who are shaping our next generation of leaders.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents and grandparents owned a local restaurant where I learned the value of hard work, service, and being part of a community.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?My Catholic upbringing taught me that life does not provide do-overs, just the opportunity to right any wrongs by fighting for justice.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?U.S. History, specifically the strength and flexibility of our Constitution and democracy, has helped me understand that government needs to be questioned and sometimes challenged.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I have tried instilling hard work, self-reliance, and service.