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Island Lake's Garling outlines priorities for state House bid

ISLAND LAKE – Village Trustee Rich Garling plans to challenge state Rep. Mark Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills, in the November general election for the 52d district, which covers several towns in Lake and McHenry counties.

Garling, who is a former member of the DeKalb County Board, said in a news release March 3 that skyrocketing property taxes is the most important issue for district voters. Garling said that if the state of Illinois pays its fair share of education dollars, that would relieve the burden on local taxpayers.

“We have become overly reliant on property taxes for education dollars, the way we fund our local public schools,” Garling said. “Fiscal discipline is an idea Springfield needs to relearn. I will use my business and local government background to change this broken system.”

In particular, seniors who live on fixed incomes should not have to worry about rising property taxes driving them out of their homes, Garling said.

“I strongly support assessment freezes for qualified seniors, the disabled, military veterans and personnel currently serving on active duty,” Garling said.

Garling said it is important to keep quality in schools and to end wasteful spending.

“We should make sure that every child in the schools receives a quality education, because if we don’t, we will have to pay for it in more expensive ways later, such as prisons,” he said.

Garling grew up in Highland Park and received his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Northern Illinois University.

“Our community deserves the best schools, teachers and educational programs,” Garling said. “Our society thrives when we have an educated populace. We all suffer when resources are mismanaged. As your state representative, I will advocate for an increase in state school funding in the 52nd District.”

Garling has been an Island Lake trustee since his election in May 2007. He is chairman of economic development. He said he understands the importance to attract and to retain businesses in Lake and McHenry counties.

“Growing businesses and well-paying, sustainable jobs are essential to the economic vitality of the region and contribute to the local tax base,” Garling said. “We should encourage companies to move into our area, they should not have to worry about being slapped with exorbitant fees or having to navigate unreasonable bureaucratic obstacles.”

Garling also noted the importance of environmental issues, with such initiatives as the Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact.

Garling, 52, has lived in Island Lake for 19 years. His Web site is www.garling4rep.com.

Beaubien was unopposed in the Republican primary, and there were no Democratic candidates until Garling’s announcement.

The district represents all or parts of Fox Lake, Wauconda, Island Lake, Port Barrington, Lakemoor, Round Lake, Bull Valley, Prairie Grove,  Lake Barrington, Johnsburg and Fox River Grove.

Garling has run for McHenry County Board and served a two-year term on the DeKalb County Board.

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