Lake County Gazette

Longtime state Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) was among a group of Democratic lawmakers recently rejecting a proposal to end “insiders' conflict of interest” hindering property tax relief for Illinoisans.

The measure was proposed by Republican state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) as the centerpiece of her property task force platform to end “systemic conflicts of interest” in the system.

“These conflicts generate disproportionate outcomes, increase costs and often benefit politically connected insiders,” Mazzochi said in a press release.

Illinois state Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake)

Ultimately, Democrats shot down the measure by a 40-23 vote with Yingling among those in opposition. Mazzochi was quick to point out that many of those casting No votes “profit from the property tax system” in some way.

“Currently, this task force has 90 members,” she said in the release. “It is absurd to suggest we can’t have a subcommittee to target conflicts of interest that both sides of the aisle know exist. Today’s vote demonstrates that members of the majority are insincere about real reform.”

Mazzochi argues that even the most committed task force members will find their jobs made harder without top-to-bottom cooperation from all those involved.

“If this task force wants to achieve meaningful reform, we must address the problem of high-level political insiders who game the system, whether at the state, county or local level,” Mazzochi said. “Illinois residents already pay among the highest property taxes in the nation. They don’t need an added corruption tax. The antics on display at the meeting are the exact reason why we do not have property tax relief today.”

Joining Mazzochi in voting Yes to the measure were DuPage County Reps. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville), Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) and Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville).