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: http://www.samyingling.com/Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 62nd State House District Age: 36Family: My family has lived,worked, owned small businesses in the 62nd district for three generations. I'm proud that my family is part of the fabric of this area that I have had the opportunity as Avon Township Supervisor to give back to my community.Occupation: 62nd District State RepresentativeEducation: I graduated from DePaul University in Chicago where I studied, Public Policy and Administration, Political Science, and Urban Planning. I also hold an Illinois Real Estate Broker's license.Civic involvement: I have served as the Past President of the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Round Lake Beach Cultural Civic Center Foundation Board and I currently serve on the Mano A Mano Family Resource Center Advisory Board.Elected offices held: Avon Township Supervisor: 2009-201362nd District State RepresentativeQuestions Answers What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? Will you vote for your current legislative leader? What is your position on term limits in general and specifically for legislative leaders? Do you support the ongoing drive for a constitutional amendment on redistricting? What will you do to promote implementation of any changes you recommend?My view is that there needs to be more compromise, a better flow of new ideas, more bipartisan collaboration, and a most importantly, better communication. I have always supported term limits for elected officials as well as legislative leaders. When I was elected township supervisor, one of the first votes I took was a resolution for term limits. I introduced the term limit amendment, HJRC0053, in the Illinois General Assembly. In addition to putting term limits in place for the state government, HJRC0053 would also allow all local units of government to adopt term limits. When my opponent served on the local library board, one of the first votes he took was against term limits.The state also needs to have a constitutional amendment on redistricting. I voted for HJRCA0058, the constitutional amendment that would place the redistricting under the authority of an IL Supreme Court appointed commission and remove the map-making process from the legislative and executive branches of the government. Additionally, I am a supporter of the Illinois Independent Map initiative.Would you vote for an increase in state income taxes or sales taxes? Would you vote for new taxes, such as on services? What is your position on a graduated income tax?Illinois's property tax code is an abusive system that is forcing people out of their homes and out of the state. Illinois has more units of government than any other state in the nation, which has led to bloated government and an intolerable property tax burden. Illinois has suffered from its inability to adapt from a manufacturing economy tax code to a service base economy tax code. Consequently, the Illinois tax code will be unable to capture natural economic growth and has an overreliance on the archaic and abusive property tax system. We don't need new revenue; we need to restructure the revenue streams that already exist with less reliance on property taxes. We need to consolidate layers of government in the state and reduce the property tax burden.The notion of "tax hikes" is a distraction and would be ineffective unless the state modifies its tax code by moving away from the abusive property tax system and begins the consolidation of units of government. I've voted against every tax increase and I've introduced and passed legislation that would allow counties to begin the consolidation process in their respective counties as well as the Township Modernization and Consolidation Act. As a former township supervisor, I saw firsthand the redundancy of all of these units and government and reduced spending, cut the township tax levies by 22%, and generated record surpluses. The state must maximize efficiencies, consolidate, and move away from the notion that "tax hikes" are the only solution.What changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.We need to change the way our state funds our public schools to make sure that all students receive the best education possible. Yet, any changes should not result in negative consequences or a loss of funding for the schools and the children I represent. I am committed to working to find a way to make education funding fair and equitable. I believe the solution will require work and diligence to make sure that all the schools I represent do not undergo any loss. We need everyone to be involved in order to address any and all concerns to ensure that any legislation does not hurt some students and benefit others, as they all deserve the best education possible. I am open to all ideas and dialogue as long as it does not perpetuate our abusive property tax system.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?As my voting record and my steadfast commitment to reducing the tax burden for everyone in Illinois proves, I have been one of the strongest leaders in the IL General Assembly for efficiency and cost savings. I have worked across the aisle to ensure legislation is passed to reduce government waste and enhance efficiencies. While that is a start, the state needs to have systemic reform to its tax system. There are approximately $3 billion in tax loopholes that need to be closed along with budgetary reductions and the consolidation of its countless units of government. We cannot take a piecemeal approach to reforming the structural deficiencies in the state's financial position but need to take a holistic approach.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?The pension liability is a systemic issue going back decades by politicians of both parties. I voted for two pension reform proposals. I took flak for those votes and it was in direct defiance of people in my own party and organized labor. In light of the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling that any modifications to existing pensions is unconstitutional, I support a Tier 3 pension system for all new employees that would include a 401k /403b model along with a cash-out option to allow people to roll it into a personal investment vehicle, which can generate significant federal tax savings.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We must tackle the state's abusive property tax system. Property taxpayers are not an endless trough of cash from which units of local government can feed. I've fought for a property tax freeze that will provide cost containment to taxpayers.Additionally, there needs to be more cooperation and less partisan bickering. Sometimes, it feels that it's only me and some of my colleagues (Republicans Democrats) who are willing to take action. Governor Rauner has had no communication with me. Instead, he funds negative advertisements misrepresenting my record. I'd prefer to have a professional dialogue as opposed to endless politicking.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am constantly inspired by everyday people I meet with in the 62nd District.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents owned the Red Noodle Restaurant and I learned that serving the public came before anything else.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I believe that we should learn from all our life experiences and I would never want a "do-over".What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I've always enjoyed history and government. These subjects have encouraged me to do what I'm doing now.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard and focus on serving other people. The world is better when we give back as oppose to taking.