Illinois State Politics

Jennifer Sanalitro: 2026 candidate for Illinois House District 48

Posted October 16, 2026 3:00 pm

Bio

Office sought: House District 48

Party: Republican

City: Hanover Park

Age: 54

Previous offices held: State Representative

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?

Illinois families need relief from high property taxes, rising utility bills, and the growing cost of everyday life. I support legislation to create a Senior School District Property Tax Levy Exemption (HB1906), a Property Tax Grant Program (HB09), and No Taxes on Tips or Overtime Pay. Overall, the General Assembly needs to rein in bloated budgets and stop spending tax dollars on political priorities that do not help grow our state’s economy. By creating a more favorable environment for job creators, we can help families and communities flourish.

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 would like to see the Bears remain in Illinois, but taxpayers should not be handing them a blank check. The state can help with reasonable infrastructure and expedited permits and other administrative considerations, but any agreement must protect taxpayers and make financial sense. I do support the broader conversation of having the project financed by sales tax revenue (STAR Bonds) as opposed to bonds paid off through property taxes, similar to the “Rosemont Model.”

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?

Since the SAFE-T Act implementation, criminals accused of violent crimes such as murder and sexual assault have been sent back to neighborhoods with electronic monitoring. Even the Democratic State’s Attorney in Cook County asked for more restrictive legislation after reporting at least 8% of defendants in Cook County on electronic monitoring are AWOL. We must end electronic monitoring for violent criminals and remove the two day unmonitored movement per week because law enforcement has said it’s not possible to do their jobs to prevent crime under those rules.

We have a dangerous system and it’s time for Republicans and Democrats to come together to keep people safe. I support a number of reforms for improved public safety to give judges more discretion on detention, expand detention requirements for violent felons and sex offenses, revoke pre-trial release for defendants who re-offend, and strengthen victim protections.

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?

With Illinois’ highest-in-the-nation property taxes, reform has to be a top priority. Homeowners deserve a system that is fair, affordable, transparent, and predictable. The General Assembly has a role in reducing property tax costs through reducing unfunded mandates, fully funding schools and local governments at promised levels, and requiring voter buy-in before extending debt. I support HB9, a plan to give property tax relief through increased state funding for schools. I was proud to vote to expand property tax relief for low-income seniors. All residents deserve relief, and I will continue to work towards reform.

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?

I believe Illinois can walk the line of building data centers responsibly and where residents want to have them. As mega-users for water and electricity, the state should mandate planning with closed-loop and wastewater cooling technology, as well as “bring your own” energy. Taxpayers should not be on the hook for these costs.

I am a strong advocate of local control, so it is important to me to allow communities to decide if they want large developments like data centers or not. We also must prevent nondisclosure agreements with municipalities by outlining required reporting on water, energy, and public safety information.

Governor Pritzker was right to roll back data center incentives, but the logical next steps are to add sensible regulations and also reform BIPA laws to align more closely with the original intent of the law.

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?

It is important law enforcement agencies from all levels of government coordinate with each other to keep violent criminals and repeat offenders from harming innocent people and businesses.

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?

It is clear some women feel unsafe at work, and also unsafe coming forward to report harassment. No woman should ever have to choose between protecting her career and speaking up about inappropriate behavior. And no one, regardless of their position, political party, or influence, should be above accountability.

Illinois government needs stronger ethical standards, greater transparency, and more accountability. I believe public officials should be held to high standards of honesty and integrity. I support increased transparency surrounding Legislative Inspector General (LIG) investigations, an empowered LIG with subpoena power, stronger guardrails for lobbyists, and rules against using campaign funds for criminal corruption defense. The People of Illinois deserve greater transparency and an ultimate end to this cycle of corruption. Ultimately, this is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is a workplace safety and accountability issue. We have a responsibility to ensure that every person who works in the Capitol can do their job in a professional environment, free from harassment, intimidation, and fear. Anything less is unacceptable.

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?

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

As an independent-minded State Representative, I understand that effective leadership begins with listening, building relationships, and being accessible to the people I represent. My experience working with local leaders, businesses, law enforcement, and community organizations has given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing our communities. To me, public service means safeguarding tax dollars, common-sense solutions, and helping those most in need.