Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) again stumbled over the question of whether he would vote for Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) as House speaker.

When asked by an interviewer if he would vote for Madigan, he waffled on the question. "If, if that, you know, I’m working through that right now.” Yingling said.

The Illinois Republican Party issued a strong response to the video and Yingling's response to the interviewer. “Sam Yingling’s flustered response to a simple question shows just how loyal Yingling is to Mike Madigan," GOP spokesman Steven Yaffe said. "Yingling knows that a vote for Madigan is a vote against a property tax freeze, pro-growth economic reforms and term limits, but Yingling will not dare speak out against his political patron."

Yingling recently was captured on video while walking through a parking lot. When the videographer asked him the same question, he said, "I don’t know. You should talk to him (Madigan)."

The Illinois Democratic Party is chaired by Madigan. He has held the position for nearly 20 years, and he determines who will receive party support, including campaign contributions, and who will not. The Friends of Sam Yingling Candidate Committee received $694,201.21 from the Democratic Party of Illinois in the final days before the Nov. 8 election. The campaign committee also received $977,688.20 from the Democratic Majority, an organization affiliated with the Democratic Party. With more than $1.6 million donated by Democratic organizations in his coffers, Yingling may be reluctant to take a public stance against his party's leader.

Yingling began his political career in Avon Township. He ran for township supervisor on a platform focused on reducing property tax levies and government accountability and won the election.

Among Yingling's successes were returning more than $25,000 in pay raises implemented by the previous administration, lowering property taxes, streamlining operations and expanding services. His policies generated budget surpluses that were used to reduce taxes.

When Yingling ran for the House seat in District 62 in 2012, he took the stance of an independent voice in Springfield. During his campaign, he discussed job growth, property tax reform and fiscal responsibility in an article posted in the Grayslake Patch. He also supported pension reform.

In addition to those issues, Yingling discussed the need for tighter regulations on campaign finances, including stricter limits on the amounts that political parties can donate to candidates.

After the 2016 election, Yingling posted his thanks to his supporters on his campaign website. Although he'd received most of his campaign contributions from the Democratic Party, he still presented the image of an independent representative to the public.

"I want to thank all of our amazing volunteers, community members, and most importantly, the residents of the 62nd District for your ongoing confidence in my independent representation of our independent district," Yingling wrote. "I look forward to working hard for all of you over the next two years.

While Yingling and his supporters celebrate his election victory, the Illinois GOP continues to question Yingling's loyalty to his constituents. The financial support provided by the Democratic Party and Madigan may put his loyalty to the test when the next House speaker is elected in January.

Madigan is well-known for wielding his power over House Democrats. A 1989 Chicago Tribune story tells of former Rep. Richard Mautino (D-Spring Valley) and the 1987 vote for House speaker. Mautino voted against Madigan and was removed from contention as vice chairman on a House committee. When he voted for Madigan as speaker in 1989, he was rewarded with the House Insurance Committee chairmanship.

Democrats in the Illinois House tread cautiously when opposing Madigan. Yingling's vote for speaker may determine the success or failure of his upcoming term in the House.