Saba Haider: 2026 candidate for Illinois House District 84

Bio

Party: Democratic

Office sought: Illinois House District 84

City: Aurora

Age: 42

Occupation: Small business owner

Previous offices held: DuPage County Board member since 2024

Q&A

Are you comfortable with the way the state budget is developed? If not, what should be done differently?

I support earlier public release of budget drafts, more committee hearings with real input from stakeholders, and multiyear financial forecasting so that we are not constantly reacting to short-term pressures, especially during current federal uncertainties. A more transparent and data-driven process builds public trust and fiscal discipline.

Do you favor any tax increases or revenue enhancements to address fiscal problems?

Illinois must protect working families and seniors on fixed incomes. I do not support income or property tax increases. Revenue solutions should focus on fairness and economic growth rather than increasing the burden on middle-class families.

I support closing corporate tax loopholes, reviewing tax incentives to ensure they create jobs and economic growth, and modernizing enforcement to reduce tax evasion.

Do you favor any changes in the pension structure for state employees?

Illinois must honor its constitutional obligation to current employees and retirees. The pension clause in the Illinois Constitution is clear, and the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld it.

We should continue with responsible funding schedules while exploring options for new employees that remain competitive but sustainable. The priority must be long-term stability without breaking promises.

What should Illinois policy be toward immigration and federal efforts to enforce immigration laws?

The Illinois TRUST Act is a state law that limits local and state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, protecting immigrants from detention or deportation based solely on their immigration status. I will support strengthening the TRUST Act to achieve those goals.

I will also work to limit collection of immigration status information by state agencies, restrict ICE’s use of FOIA requests, prevent state and local data from being sold or shared with third-party data brokers.

Ethics reform has long been promised in Illinois with little action. What would you do to change that?

Illinois has been working on real ethics reform with enforceable standards. I will work to strengthen the independence and funding of the Legislative Inspector General.

More works needs to happen to tighten conflicts of interest and disclosure requirements and limit the use of campaign funds for personal legal expenses. Restoring trust requires more than promises. It requires clear rules, strong enforcement, and transparency so the public can see how decisions are made.