Lake County Gazette

Ken Idstein’s connection with the people of the 62nd District appears to grow with every outing.

“Great to see everyone brave the heat for the Taste of Grayslake and fireworks,” Idstein posted on Facebook. “Thanks for all of your support.”

Next up for the House candidate who is challenging Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) is the Ken Idstein Golf Outing in Waukegan.

A longtime real estate professional, Idstein has property tax reform and greater fiscal responsibility as staples of his campaign platform.  

“I’m running to change the culture in Springfield and ensure state government protects us, instead of preying on us,” he told the Lake County Gazette. “That means more accountability, more transparency, and most of all a complete transformation of state government so it serves the people again, instead of the politicians.”

Idstein said Yingling is one of the biggest culprits of the current culture in the capital.

Idstein points to the sexual harassment scandal now plaguing Springfield and the office of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) as an example of how Yingling has stood by because of his dependency on Madigan.

“Yingling has received $1.4 million from Madigan,” he said. “He is beholden to Madigan and the broke political culture so he can’t stand up for us. One-hundred-and-nine days ago, I asked Sam Yingling to join me in calling for Speaker Madigan’s resignation. Yingling’s response: silence.”

Idstein also recently blasted the $38.5 billion state budget as just more chicanery.

“It will lead to higher taxes like the tax on retirement income, the statewide property tax and the progressive income tax hike that they are already advocating for,” he said.

The Ken Idstein Golf Outing is at 11 a.m. on July 23 at Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan. Registration is required by July 13, and a light lunch, golf cart and “19th hole round-up BBQ dinner” are all included in the registration fee.