Expressing distress over the spring legislative session ending without the passage of a budget, Republican state House candidate Rod Drobinski said lawmakers in Springfield, including his opponent, are holding Illinois' schools and students hostage.
"It was bad enough that Sam Yingling voted for Mike Madigan's budget, the most unbalanced budget in Illinois history,” Drobinski, who is running to represent District 62, told constituents at Fred's Diner in Grayslake. “What makes it even more outrageous is that Madigan and Yingling tied our schools' funding to a budget that would require a tax hike of $1,000 for the average family."
Just before signing off for the end of its spring session, the Illinois House rejected by a 17-31 vote House Speaker Madigan’s (D-District 22) budget iteration, which would have expended more than $40 billion -- $7 billion more than revenues -- and would only deepen the state’s debt, mandating a statewide tax increase.
"They are holding our schools and children hostage,” Drobinski said. “School districts like Fremont District 79, where my daughter goes, and every other school district in the state faces uncertainty about whether or not they will open on time in the fall. Republicans put forward a budget plan that is balanced ... but Mike Madigan and Sam Yingling said no. Our kids deserve better."
Referencing state Sen. Melinda Bush’s (D-District 31) vote against Madigan’s budget, Drobinski stated that Yingling (D-District 62) appeared to lack backing even from his own party, possibly undermining public confidence in the incumbent’s ability to work effectively in a bipartisan manner.
“It’s outrageous that Sam Yingling would leave Springfield … without ensuring that our schools will open in the fall,” Drobinski stated on his Facebook page. “One of the most important duties of our representatives in Springfield is prioritizing spending that not only fits within our means, but is aimed at things that matter. When Sam Yingling voted for Mike Madigan’s budget … he dodged that duty and made false promises. By voting for an irresponsible budget, Yingling put our school funding, our social service funding, and everything else that state government does at risk.”
Drobinski, a Lake County prosecutor who has served as Wauconda Police Commissioner and Fremont Library board trustee, clinched the Republican nomination in March.
“If elected, I will never vote for a budget that spends more than we have," Drobinski said. “I will work hard to pass common-sense legislation that focuses thoughtful spending on issues that directly affect the taxpayers at home.”
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