Saba Haider

I would support legislation requiring data centers to disclose energy and water usage, undergo environmental reviews, and meet enforceable standards for noise and water conservation. Local communities should have a meaningful voice in making those decisions.

Residents should not subsidize infrastructure upgrades primarily needed by large industrial electricity users. I would support utility policies requiring data centers to pay their fair share of grid upgrades and energy costs. I would also encourage renewable energy, energy storage, and closed loop cooling systems.

To address rising utility bills, I would support stronger oversight of rate increases, targeted assistance for low-income households, and expanded energy-efficiency programs. Tax incentives should be tied to measurable public benefits, including quality jobs and local revenue. My goal is to welcome innovation while ensuring economic development does not come at the expense of residents’ health, affordability, or access to essential resources.

Scientific research strengthens Illinois’ economy, improves public health, supports agriculture, and drives innovation. Federal funding uncertainty should not undermine our universities and research institutions. With a Masters’ Degree in Wildlife Science I firmly believe that funding scientific research can change our lives for the better in every sphere of our lives.

I would support sustainable state investments in competitive research grants, university laboratories, and partnerships among universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and Illinois businesses. Priorities should include biomedical research, agricultural innovation, clean energy, and public health. I would also support fellowships that help retain talented researchers in Illinois. As the Chair of the Environmental Committee on the DuPage County Board I have worked with the EnergySense Resilience Institute of University of Illinois, Champaign. I have seen first hand how collaborative approach can help businesses get Green Certified and establish a strong Public-Private sector partnership that fuels clean energy growth at the state level, when we adequately fund scientific research.

At the federal level, I would work with Illinois’ congressional delegation to advocate for stable funding for research agencies. These agencies support discoveries, train future scientists, and fund research that may not receive sufficient private investment. Investing in science is investing in Illinois’ future. Strong research institutions attract employers, create skilled jobs, develop treatments and technologies, and help solve challenges facing our communities. My goal is to protect Illinois’ research capacity through sustainable state funding and continued federal support.

Illinois agriculture is essential to our economy, food supply, and rural communities. Unpredictable rainfall, flooding, drought, and extreme heat increasingly threaten farmers’ productivity and financial stability.

I would support greater investment in agricultural research through the University of Illinois, Illinois Extension, and partnerships with farmers. Priorities should include resilient crop varieties, soil health, efficient water management, and improved weather forecasting. I would also support cost-sharing programs and technical assistance for voluntary conservation practices, including cover cropping, reduced tillage, and responsible nutrient management. These practices can protect farmland, reduce erosion, and improve long-term resilience.

Small and family-owned farms should have access to conservation programs, crop insurance education, disaster recovery assistance, and resources to manage severe weather losses. Investments in rural infrastructure, flood mitigation, and watershed management can further protect agricultural land and surrounding communities.

I would work with farmers, agricultural scientists, and conservation experts to develop practical, evidence-based policies that reflect local needs. Illinois can maintain its agricultural leadership by investing in research, helping farmers adapt to changing weather patterns, and protecting the soil and water resources future generations will depend on.

Scientific evidence should be a foundation of responsible policymaking. I would consult peer-reviewed research, universities, government agencies, and independent experts while listening to residents and communities affected by proposed policies. I have made a concerted effort in bringing on board several high school and college interns on my campaign to make sure that their voices are also heard in the process.

I would work with the various stakeholders to evaluate the quality and limitations of studies, look for consistent findings across credible sources. I would also consider costs, benefits, unintended consequences, and impacts on diverse communities.

I would encourage transparent discussions with experts and support measurable goals and periodic reviews to determine whether policies are effective as new evidence emerges. Science cannot answer every policy question, but it helps us understand risks, likely outcomes, and make educated and informed decisions. I am going to use my scientific training to make evidence-based decisions rooted in science and empirical data, wherever applicable.

As a member of the Public Health Board of DuPage County Health Department for several years, I have seen first hand that preventing infectious diseases is essential to protecting Illinois families, particularly infants, children, older adults, and immuno-compromised individuals. Rising measles and pertussis cases require effective prevention, accessible vaccination, and coordinated public health responses.

I would support adequate funding for the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments to strengthen disease surveillance, investigate outbreaks, notify exposed individuals, and improve vaccine access. We have strong leaders like Dr Vohra at the Illinois Department of Public Health who are able to make public health decisions keeping in mind the diverse population of Illinois.

For measles, I would prioritize access to the MMR vaccine and partnerships with schools and healthcare providers to address vaccination gaps. For pertussis, I would support access to age-appropriate DTaP and Tdap vaccines, public education, and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

I would collaborate with epidemiologists, physicians, pediatricians, and local health officials to review outbreak data, identify vulnerable communities, and evaluate prevention strategies.

As a state representative, I would advocate for evidence-based legislation, responsible public health funding, and coordination among healthcare providers and government agencies. Our response should follow scientific evidence and prioritize preventing illness while helping residents make informed health decisions.