Laura Ellman: 2026 candidate for Illinois Senate District 21

Bio

Office sought: State Senate District 21

Party: Democrat

City: Naperville

Age: 60

Previous offices held: State Senator District 21

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 faces three pressing priorities: fiscal stability, affordability, and preparing our students and workforce for the future.

First, long-term fiscal stability requires balanced budgets, meeting our pension commitments, and reducing waste by modernizing state government so we can continue providing essential services.

Second, working and middle-class families are getting squeezed in all directions, including housing costs, particularly in the suburbs. I sponsored legislation giving DuPage and Will Counties additional tools to expand and preserve affordable housing.

Third, our actions over the next four years will directly shape the opportunities and challenges future generations face. We must prepare students to solve tomorrow's problems by offering advanced coursework—like my legislation expanding high school classes to qualified seventh- and eighth-graders—while actively mitigating climate change today by decarbonizing our energy, buildings, and transportation systems.

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?

Interestingly, you use the word “surrounding.” As a legislator, I see people of all stripes coming to Springfield to inform the General Assembly about their concerns, to advocate for their proposals, and to build relationships for continued work. They set up meetings with legislators, stop us in the hallways, or wait “on the rail” in the Capitol to make their case. They have one-pagers that summarize their position. Sometimes they have stickers, banners, and even wear matching t-shirts. People come to Springfield and engage. Yes, there were some proposals “surrounding” the Bears, but I never saw a proposal “from” the Bears. If advancing a proposal was like advancing a football, the Bears didn’t show up to the field. They didn’t have a game plan, they didn’t have a quarterback, they didn’t block, tackle, or defend.

Even with no Bears proposal on the tee, I’ll tell you this - there is zero appetite for any state dollars funding a stadium. And “dad joke’ alert - if worse comes to worst, if the historic founding team from the city of big shoulders moves to Hammond, Indiana, they should have to change their name from the Chicago Bears to the Hammond Eggs.

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?

The SAFE-T Act has the right people asking the right questions about detaining someone before they stand trial: judges consider whether detention is necessary based on public safety and flight risk. That a dangerous person could go free with access to the right amount of cash is astounding. This is the right thing to do, and it has been implemented fairly smoothly. We’ve had some clarification and adjustments already, and I’m listening to the practitioners - judges, clerks, sheriffs, and others - to help identify improvements. The processes are still new, and adjustments are to be expected.

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?

As State Senator for the 21st District, I frequently hear from neighbors about the burden of local property taxes. Illinois families deserve meaningful relief without sacrificing vital local services. The most impactful, structural step we can take to lower property taxes is reforming public education funding, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of local tax bills.

Historically, Illinois has relied far too heavily on property taxes to fund public schools. By increasing state investment through the Evidence-Based Funding formula, we ensure our schools receive the equitable resources they need while shifting the financial burden off homeowners. Directing more state dollars into K-12 schools would shift the financial burden off of local homeowners. As this funding model approaches its ten-year mark, now is the ideal time to review statewide outcomes and refine the formula to better serve our districts. Finally, easing property tax pressure requires strict financial responsibility at the state level. Passing balanced budgets, addressing long-term liabilities, and ensuring state spending protects municipal budgets from sudden cost shifts, preventing forced local tax hikes.

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?

The massive electricity demands and local environmental impacts of hyperscaler data centers concern us all. Our recent district town hall had a huge turnout, with residents raising insightful and urgent concerns about air quality, noise, and rising utility costs.

Because Illinois operates within regional power grids (PJM and MISO), data centers built in neighboring states can raise our energy costs without contributing to our local tax base. The Power Act has great potential to lead the country in regulatory frameworks for data centers. My priorities are a clean, affordable, resilient electrical grid, minimal use and impact on water, a robust community benefit agreement process, well-paying jobs, and adequate safeguards against speculation and abandoned projects. Data centers COULD be an opportunity to strengthen our grid and increase storage capacity.

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?

People should feel safe calling for help if they need it. Police forces across the state are busy helping residents & responding to criminal activity. Criminals are arrested, tried, and convicted regardless of their immigration status. As State Senator, I know our strength as a state lies in compassion, diversity, and dignity. Immigrants are our neighbors, business owners, healthcare workers, and students who enrich Illinois culturally and economically.

The TRUST Act ensures that our local law enforcement focus on neighborhood safety rather than enforcing complex federal civil immigration laws. When immigrant families can report crimes and access services without fear, our communities grow safer. Dismantling these protections breeds fear and weakens public trust. While federal immigration laws urgently need reform, Illinois has the heart and the capacity to help all residents thrive. I am deeply proud of the people and businesses in my district who step up to support their neighbors–whether it’s families fleeing humanitarian crises, reuniting with loved ones, or arriving here from other states. Let’s stay focused on making Illinois a better place for everyone.

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 worked in male-dominated fields since the 80s, and I’ve seen and experienced my share of inappropriate behavior and harassment. In my experience, sexual harassment and hostile work environments are under-reported, so when someone does speak out, it’s because it’s too egregious or it’s the final, final last straw. We in the General Assembly, whether in Springfield or in our districts, have to listen to people when they speak up, take swift, meaningful action, and learn how to prevent it better, report sooner, and uphold expectations of being professional adults. Based on the findings of the Legislative Inspector General, we must be better at preventing misconduct by strengthening ethics oversight, listening to witnesses, ensuring robust accountability, and fostering a workplace culture rooted in safety, respect, and zero tolerance.

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?

As State Senator for the 21st District, I believe public trust is hard-earned and easily lost. State government functions best when elected officials are held to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and accountability.

To ensure Illinoisans have confidence in their leaders, we must build upon recent ethics reforms with stronger safeguards. Clear boundaries are vital; when politicians misuse public office for personal gain, public trust is broken.

Leadership sets the tone for acceptable behavior. While lawmakers do not have a traditional boss, chamber and caucus leaders strongly influence workplace standards. The Senate maintains a strong culture of professionalism and credibility, and we must continue leading by example. Bringing my background in science and risk management to Springfield, I approach public service with a problem-solving mindset focused on transparency and factual oversight. By delivering honest, accountable, and transparent leadership, we can restore faith in state government and focus on the priorities that matter most to our communities.

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

As State Senator for the 21st District, I bring a background rooted in science, risk management, and environmental advocacy that shapes my practical approach to state government. Holding a degree in mathematics and a master’s in applied statistics, I built a career evaluating complex risks and finding evidence-based solutions. This technical background allows me to analyze legislation through a data-driven lens, ensuring state policies are effective, fiscally responsible, and grounded in facts.

Throughout my tenure in Springfield, I have applied these qualifications to deliver meaningful results for our community—from advocating for environmental stewardship and clean energy to supporting our public schools, protecting working families, and safeguarding public health. My combination of scientific rigor, business experience, and dedicated community engagement prepares me to tackle Illinois’ complex challenges, from managing state resources responsibly to modernizing infrastructure. I remain committed to bringing integrity, thoughtful oversight, and pragmatic solutions to Springfield every day.