Max Solomon, a Republican attorney from the south suburbs, is running for Illinois Treasurer in the Nov. 3 general election.
Solomon said he is seeking the office "to prioritize and serve the citizens and taxpayers of Illinois" and "to reduce the heavy tax burden by bringing fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to elective office," according to his questionnaire responses to Downers Grove Wire.
Candidate information
Party: Republican
Office sought: Illinois Treasurer (Illinois General Election, Nov. 3, 2026)
Hometown: Born in Lagos, Nigeria. Solomon said he immigrated legally to the United States in 1992 at age 21.
Education: JD, Valparaiso University School of Law; Master's in Theology, Valparaiso University; Bachelor's in Political Science with a minor in Religious Studies, DePaul University; Associate's degree, South Suburban College
Occupation: Attorney
Endorsement: Madison County GOP
Experience and public service
Solomon listed his occupation as attorney. He also served as an adjunct professor at South Suburban College. His prior public service includes committeeman for the Bremen Township Republican Party and trustee of the Grande Prairie Public Library. Both are former roles, according to his questionnaire.
Solomon said he immigrated to the United States "with only $40" and, through "hard work and education," became a U.S. citizen, an attorney and an adjunct professor. He cited those accomplishments as evidence he can handle the job.
On the issues
Fiscal accountability and spending: Solomon said he would focus on fraud investigations and work to eliminate wasteful spending. He said he would be the state's "whistleblower" in chief on fiscal irresponsibility. He said Illinois "does not have a revenue problem" but "has a spending problem," and that changes he would bring to the office would pay off "when our income becomes higher than our expenditure without raising taxes."
Transparency: Solomon's platform calls for a real-time public dashboard so taxpayers can track every dollar and see how state investments are performing, according to his campaign website.
State investments: Solomon said he would modernize the state's investment strategy to maximize returns while maintaining fiduciary responsibility. He also proposed directing state deposits to community banks and credit unions across all 102 Illinois counties to ensure rural and underserved communities have access to capital.
Education savings: Solomon said he would strengthen the Bright Start and Bright Directions college savings programs. The goal is to make higher education more attainable for Illinois families.
Taxes: Solomon's platform includes support for property tax freezes and reform, tax cuts and a flat-rate income and business tax structure, according to his campaign website.
