Sam Yingling

Sam Yingling (born July 4, 1980) is an American politician from Lake County, Illinois. A Democrat, he is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 62nd district. A resident of Grayslake, he served as the Avon Township Supervisor prior to his election to the legislature.

Sam Yingling
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 62nd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2013 (2013-Jan-09)
Preceded bySandy Cole
Avon Township Supervisor
In office
May 2009 (2009-May) – December 2012 (2012-Dec)
Preceded byShirley Christian
Succeeded byLisa Rusch
Personal details
Born (1980-07-04) July 4, 1980
Lake County, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Lowell Jaffe
ResidenceGrayslake, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materDePaul University
ProfessionRealtor & Business Owner

The 62nd district includes all or parts of Gages Lake, Grayslake, Hainesville, Long Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Third Lake and Wauconda.[1]

Early life, education and career

Yingling is a third generation resident of Lake County. After graduating from Carmel Catholic High School, he attended DePaul University, where he studied public administration and metropolitan land use. He then started a small business with his father.[2] He later served as the President of the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Round Lake Beach Cultural/Civic Center Foundation and an immigrant help organization, the Mano A Mano Family Resource Center.[3]

Unhappy with the services that were being provided, Yingling ran for and was elected Avon Township Supervisor in 2009. As township supervisor he was the chief executive officer, chairman of the board of trustees and treasurer of all funds including all bridge and road funds. He handled the daily operations of the administration building.[4]

During his time as supervisor he was an advocate for effective spending and efficient government. He led the township officials in cutting their own salaries by returning a raise implemented under his predecessor,[5] reduced the budget without cutting services,[6] and lobbied Springfield legislators to make it easier for voters to eliminate his job.[7]

Illinois State Representative (2019-present)

He was the first openly gay person elected to the legislature from outside of Chicago and as of 2013 was one of four then serving in the general assembly. The other three were Deb Mell, Greg Harris and Kelly Cassidy.[8] He is the fifth LGBT representative ever elected.[9] His associated state senator is Melinda Bush. During the push for passage of the Illinois marriage equality bill in 2013, he played an important role building support within his freshman class and among legislators from outside Chicago. The marriage equality bill passed the Illinois House on November 5, 2013 and was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn on November 20, 2013.[10] Immediately following the passage of the Illinois marriage equality bill on Nov. 5, 2013, Yingling proposed to his partner, Chicago businessman Lowell Jaffe, at an afterparty held by Gov. Pat Quinn at the executive mansion.[11] They married in November 2015.

Electoral history

2016 election

Sam Yingling was reelected to a third term in the Illinois House of Representatives in November 2016.

Illinois State House 23rd District General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Yingling (incumbent) 21,681 52.4
Republican Rod Drobinski 19,732 47.6
Democratic hold

2014 election

Yingling was reelected for a second term in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Illinois State House 23rd District General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Yingling (incumbent) 13,910 52.1
Republican Rod Drobinski 12,789 47.9
Democratic hold

2012 election

Sam Yingling was endorsed by the Illinois AFL CIO,[12] Equality Illinois[13] and the Chicago Tribune.[14] In an upset, Yingling defeated Cole with 55.3% of the vote.[15]

Illinois State House 23rd District General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Yingling 20,994 55.3
Republican Sandy Cole (incumbent) 16,978 44.7
Democratic gain from Republican
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References
  1. Veeneman, Drew. "62nd House District" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  2. "About Sam Yingling". Friends of Sam Yingling. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  3. "Sam Yingling Profile". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  4. "About the Supervisor". Avon Township, Illinois. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  5. "Avon Township Officials Cut Their Salaries". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  6. "Avon Township Cuts Budgets". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  7. "Chicago Tribune Endorsements for State Reps 2012". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  8. Mell has since resigned to join the Chicago City Council.
  9. Merevick, Tony. "Illinois elects Sam Yingling as fourth gay state legislator". Chicago Phoenix. Archived from the original on 2012-12-15. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  10. "Local lawmaker's role grows in same-sex marriage effort". Daily Herald.
  11. "Tears of sadness, joy after same-sex marriage vote". Chicago Sun-Times. 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
  12. "General Election Endorsements" (PDF). Illinois AFL CIO. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  13. "Equality Illinois PAC announces picks for state, local races". Chicago Phoenix. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  14. "Chicago Tribune Endorsements for State Reps 2012". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  15. "2012 General Election Results, Representative 62". Illinois State Board of ElectionsJsonline.com. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
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