Naperville businessman enters 84th state House race

Naperville businessman Krishna Bansal is the first Republican to enter the spring primary race for the 84th District seat in the state House of Representatives.

The filing period for the primary begins next month. The 84th House seat is held by Aurora Democrat Stephanie Kifowit and the district includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego and Boulder Hill.

Bansal, who announced his candidacy Saturday, said he is running to make Illinois a better place for families and businesses.

“The reason I came to Illinois was so I could get a better future, a better education for my family and I wanted to grow my business,” said Bansal, who originally is from India and moved to this area about 10 years ago.

But with education funding being squeezed and unemployment at 9.2 percent statewide, he said, “I’m seeing both of them really not going in the right direction.”

Bansal, 43, said he plans to use his financial background and experience running Q1 Technologies in Naperville to cut unnecessary spending and help state government run better. He said he has been actively watching state government through the legislative committee of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and he aims to lower taxes while prioritizing business growth and support of education — from primary schools to state universities.

“One of the major reasons for my running is so we can have even better education in our state,” said Bansal, who ran unsuccessfully in the spring for school board in Indian Prairie Unit District 204, where his 11- and 12-year-old daughters are students. “Education is taking a back seat and there’s not adequate funding.”

Bansal said he also brings a clear understanding of the benefits of diversity. He recently was named volunteer manager of Indian Community Outreach in Naperville Mayor George Pradel’s office and he said he is leading a similar effort in Aurora.