Diane Blair-Sherlock: 2026 candidate Illinois House District 46

Bio

Office sought: Illinois House District 46

Party: Democrat

City: Villa Park

Age: 62

Previous offices held: Representative House District 46

Q&A

What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing the state in the next four years, and how should they be addressed?

Utility Costs, Education funding and Property taxes. I discuss the education funding and property taxes in another response. Utility costs can be addressed by regulating data centers, expanding energy sources, and making sure that the ICC does its job. I have major concerns especially when it comes to our water supply and its soaring costs while the private companies enjoy massive profits. We need to look at limiting companies from shifting their operating costs, the cost of doing business, on to customers to give additional profits to their shareholders.

How would you assess the General Assembly's handling, to date, of the various proposals surrounding a Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights? What proposals would you have been willing to support and in what ways, if any, might you have approached it differently?

I think the GA has handled the Bears as best we can in light of the Bears actions/inactions/ambivalence. I voted for the PILOT act which would have supported the Bears staying in Illinois. The Bears have not been clear as to what it is that they want, specifically, to stay in Illinois. As a member of the GA I have never been contacted by a representative of the Bears as to what they are seeking. However, my constituents have been clear, they do not want taxpayer money to fund a project for billionaires.

Now roughly three years into the elimination of cash bail in Illinois as part of the SAFE-T Act, how would you assess the success or failure of the criminal justice reform measure? What changes, if any, would you support?

I think one of the biggest problems is a failure to request detention at all. I also think that we should look at expanding detainable offenses.

Illinois homeowners face one of the highest relative property tax burdens in the country. What specific proposals could you offer to ease the burden on state residents?

The property tax burden mostly comes from funding needs for school. The funds are needed so before we can institute property tax relief we need an alternative income source.

Gov. JB Pritzker recently paused a state initiative granting incentives to data center developers, and residents statewide have concerns about how such developments are affecting their access to water, utility rates, and the environment. How should the state approach data centers going forward?

We need to regulate data centers which we have not done yet. I am a co-sponsor of the Power Act and am hopeful we can pass substantive regulation this year.

Illinois' “sanctuary” policies concerning immigration have made it a target for the Trump administration and critics who say they encourage criminal behavior. How do you feel about those policies, and how, if at all, would you change them?

We are a blue state, that is why we are the target of the Trump administration. Many of the undocumented folks are here because they were bused here from red states not because of our policies. I am open to suggestions for change but do not currently support any change,

Many women in the legislature complain about a culture of sexual harassment in Springfield. Do you see evidence of this and, if so, what should be done about it?

I have not and if I had I would have immediately called it out and made sure it was handled. We need to do something to change the culture and I am committed to that. If anyone has experienced sexual harassment in Springfield I encourage them to reach out.

Are you satisfied with the state's existing ethics policies for senators and representatives? If so, what about the policies should reassure Illinoisans that elected leaders abide by high standards? If not, what changes need to be made?

I have not spent a large amount of time looking at our policies, however, I am open to instituting additional policies if needed. I support extending the statute of limitations as I believe it is far too short. I think the ethics challenge right now is enforcement and absolutely support addressing that as quickly as possible. People need to be comfortable reporting violations and that they will be treated seriously and with dignity and respect.

What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?

I have over 30 years of experience practicing law, have been a community volunteer and advocate. I have served in the house since December 2022 and have learned so much about how the legislative process actually works. I am currently Chair of the State Government Administration Committee and serve on K-12 policy and curriculum, higher ed and Energy and Environment. I am honest with folks even if they don't want to hear it and I will not be bullied into positions inconsistent with the interests of my constituents. I encourage my constituents to contact me with their concerns, try and personally respond as much as practicable and hold quarterly zoom town halls.