Yingling returns as state representative
Democratic state Rep. Sam Yingling of Grayslake topped his Republican challenger in a second consecutive meeting between the candidates in Tuesday's election.
With all precincts counted, unofficial totals showed Yingling beat Rod Drobinski of Wauconda by 21,681 votes to 19,732.
Yingling and Drobinski were competing to represent the 62nd House District, which includes all or parts of Grayslake, Hainesville, the Round Lake communities, Lake Villa, Gurnee, Wauconda, Wildwood and Gages Lake.
Yingling said his victory is affirmation from 62nd District residents that he's doing a good job.
"I'm really honored to represent an independent district," Yingling said.
Two years ago, Yingling beat Drobinski, 13,527 votes to 12,568, to win his second term representing the district.
Similar to the 2014 campaign, Drobinski and Yingling complained about distortions in political advertising generated by or on behalf of the rival campaigns.
They also hammered at each other on issues. For example, they had different takes on Yingling's cosponsorship of a House bill to purportedly close corporate tax loopholes in Illinois.
Drobinski contended Yingling backs a proposal that would affect all small businesses collecting sales taxes - not just large companies.
However, Yingling said no small businesses would be harmed through the proposed tax loophole closure.