State Rep's Health Fair Ruffles Avon Twp. Supervisor

62nd District State Rep. Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) is sponsoring a Women and Seniors' Health & Wellness Fair in Round Lake Beach Wednesday. The event will include dozens of local businesses and service providers, but no township representation.

As the area's only public provider of emergency services for seniors, Avon Township should have a presence at the health fair, said , who is running against for her state representative seat.

But they weren't invited, despite appealing to Cole in a letter dated Aug. 7.

Yingling feels Cole's sponsorship of the health fair is politically motivated and that her campaign will benefit from the participating vendors.

"You need to consider that vendors are being given a direct economic benefit. It's grossly unfair," said Yingling in a statement.

"Sandy Cole should not be using our tax dollars to pick winners and losers, especially those that she profits from."

Cole told Patch events such as these are not unusual for state officials, that it is part of her job as state representative. Throughout her term she has hosted events benefitting veterans, about autism and to increase Internet safety.

She added that she is paying for the event's refreshments herself.

"There is nothing for sale here. There is nothing campaign-related. It's not a political forum. It's community outreach," said Cole.

In fact, said Cole, 51st District State Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) and 26th District State Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) are planning to host a similar health fair at the Libertyville Sports Complex.

None of the five townships within her district are participating in Wednesday's health fair, said Cole, nor are any locally elected officials, though representatives from various state offices, such as treasurer and comptroller, are expected.

Other attendees will include the , Lake County Sheriff's Office, Walgreen's, Advocate Condell Medical Center, Vista Health Systems, the Better Business Bureau and others.

The health fair will be held 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the Round Lake Beach Civic Center off Hook Drive, next to the village hall and post office complex.

There will be free medical screenings and literature.