Max Solomon, a Republican attorney, is running for Illinois Treasurer in the Nov. 3 general election. He said he is seeking the office "to reduce the heavy tax burden by bringing fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to elective office."
Solomon, who immigrated to the United States from Lagos, Nigeria, in 1992, said he arrived with $40 and went on to earn a law degree and become an adjunct professor. He called his background evidence he possesses the skills for public service. The state treasurer manages billions in public funds, oversees college savings programs and directs deposits to banks across Illinois, functions that affect taxpayers statewide, including in Park Ridge.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Office sought: Illinois Treasurer
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Occupation: Attorney
- 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 in Political Science, South Suburban College
- Endorsement: Madison County GOP
Experience and public service
Solomon listed his occupation as attorney. According to his campaign website, he has served as an adjunct professor at South Suburban College.
He previously held two local party and government roles: committeeman for the Bremen Township Republican Party and trustee of the Grande Prairie Public Library. Both positions are listed as former.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Solomon's questionnaire responses and campaign platform.
State spending and fiscal oversight
Solomon said Illinois "does not have a revenue problem" but "has a spending problem." He said he would focus on fraud investigations and work to eliminate wasteful spending, describing himself as a would-be whistleblower in chief on fiscal irresponsibility.
He said the changes he would bring to the office would pay off for taxpayers "when our income becomes higher than our expenditure without raising taxes."
Taxes and budget
Solomon's campaign platform lists support for property tax freeze and reform, tax cuts, a flat-rate income and business tax, and a balanced budget. He also said he would direct state deposits to community banks and credit unions across all 102 Illinois counties to ensure rural and underserved communities have access to capital.
Transparency
Solomon said he would create a real-time public dashboard so taxpayers can track every dollar invested and how it is growing.
Education
Solomon said he would strengthen the Bright Start and Bright Directions college savings programs to make higher education more attainable for Illinois families. His campaign platform also lists support for school choice.
Candidate contrast
Asked how he differs from his opponent, Solomon described himself as "a Christian Conservative Republican who believes in lower taxes, cutting fraudulent and wasteful spending, smaller government." He characterized his opponent as supporting more taxes, more spending and bigger government. Solomon's characterization is his own. The opposing candidate was not included in this profile.
