Ken Idstein feels the system of taxation in Illinois has become so outlandish that freezing taxes alone won’t suffice in bringing about the kind of change residents crave most.
“Some people want to just freeze taxes,” Idstein, a Republican from Grayslake running for the seat held by Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) in the 62nd District, told the Lake County Gazette. “In my opinion, it doesn’t make sense to just freeze taxes while they are at the highest level in country.”
Idstein, who is on record with a vow to roll back the recent 32 percent income tax increase instituted as part of the state budget, also thinks it’s time for the state to find a new way of funding its schools.
"There needs to be a sensible alternative to funding schools other than using property taxes,” Idstein said. “One of my top goals is providing property tax relief for the district and the state in general.”
Idstein said while property taxes are rising faster than home values all across the state, things are even worse in Lake County, home of some of the state’s highest rates. He points to recent Census Bureau data that shows more than 5,000 people left Lake County over a yearlong period starting in July 2015 as evidence of just how dire the situation is.
Idstein, a longtime mortgage professional, longs to be part of the change.
“I’m confident I can take Yingling down,” he said. “I feel I am a reflection of the district. I have the pulse of the district, while he tends to rule by press release. My endorsement numbers are up to 33 or 34 and still climbing.”
Once in Springfield, Idstein said he is just as confident that he can work across the aisle with other legislators to bring about the level of change the state so desperately needs.
“Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is a childhood friend of mine,” he said. “I know enough of us can work together to build the kind of coalitions we need.”
As for how he might deal with powerful, longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), again Idstein isn’t backing down.
“First of all, I believe that one man being in control for 35 years is not good for the state,” he said. “If by some crazy chance he’s in control of House again in November, hopefully with my victory and a few others he will have to cooperate more and won’t have the kind of lopsided power he’s had all these years.”
The 62nd House District includes parts of Grayslake, the Round Lake communities, Hainesville, Wauconda and Gurnee.
Alerts Sign-up