Lake County Gazette

Ken Idstein wants voters to know things will be different once he arrives in Springfield.

Challenging state Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) in the 62nd House District, Idstein has vowed to hit the ground running to advance property tax reform and impose term limits for all legislators.

With Illinois losing many residents to out-migration, Idstein knows change has to come quickly from Springfield to close the floodgates.

State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) is seeking re-election.

“Illinois is failing to keep families here because the state has not remained competitive for a long time,” he told Lake County Gazette. “When families look at what they are paying compared to other families in other states, it becomes clear that they are not receiving the best return on their investment.

Idstein put property tax reform at the top of his list of issues to address. He has previously voiced his support for a non-binding referendum banning any statewide property tax for Lake County residents.

“A non-binding referendum will give the voters a greater voice and will not affect taxpayers,” he said. 

“However, the prospect of implementing a statewide property tax would be disastrous for Illinois,” he said. “It inevitably will drive more taxpayers and businesses from this state. We should be focusing on lowering the outrageously high tax burden, not increasing it.”

Idstein recently posted a message on Facebook urging voters to go to the polls Tuesday make their voices heard.  

“It's all hands on deck to get our important message out to voters,” he posted.

Idstein said he doesn’t believe the kind of change needed can be achieved in Springfield under  current Democratic leadership, which includes the influence of House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

“Change must begin with a change in the leadership in the General Assembly,” he said. “Once we accomplish that, then we can start the tough task of making Illinois the economic powerhouse that it once was and could be again.”

Idstein is a 17-year member of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce Board, according to LibertyPrinciples.com, where he served twice as president. He also has served as a member of the planning and zoning commissions in Grayslake.

The 62nd House District includes parts of Avon, Fremont, Grant, Lake Villa, Warren and Wauconda.