Mahnoor Ahmad (DuPage County Board District 2, Illinois, candidate 2026)
Mahnoor Ahmad (Democratic Party) is running for election to the DuPage County Board District 2 in Illinois. Ahmad is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.[source]
Ahmad completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
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Click here to view Ballotpedia's local election coverage in Illinois by county in 2026.
Biography
Mahnoor Ahmad provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on February 11, 2026:
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for DuPage County Board District 2
Mahnoor Ahmad (D) and Mary Rada Walters (D) are running in the Democratic primary for DuPage County Board District 2 on March 17, 2026.
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| Mary Rada Walters | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for DuPage County Board District 2
Theresa McClear (R) is running in the Republican primary for DuPage County Board District 2 on March 17, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Theresa McClear | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ahmad received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- Frmr. U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (D)
- Frmr. Sec. of State Jesse White (D)
- 314 Action Fund
- American Middle East Voters Alliance (AMVOTE PAC)
- Arab American Vote
- CAIR Action Illinois
- Illinois Muslim PAC (IMPAC)
- Illinois Progressives
- Muslim Civic Coalition Activate
- Run for Something
- The Justice Coalition Action
- West Suburban Illinois Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mahnoor Ahmad completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ahmad's responses.
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- Every dollar the county spends comes from a family that worked hard to earn it. Property taxes, infrastructure investments, long-term obligations these decisions shape whether people feel secure in their homes. I have managed complex budgets and public systems where sustainability was not optional, it was essential. I believe government must think beyond the next headline and plan for the next decade. Fiscal stewardship requires discipline, data, and accountability, and that is how I will approach every decision on the County Board.
- Public Health and Mental Health Infrastructure Public health is not theoretical. It determines whether families can access care, whether crises are prevented, and whether communities feel secure. County government plays a central role in preparedness and behavioral health services, and those systems must be strong before emergencies arrive. I have led public health operations where coordination, prevention, and accountability were essential. I believe we must invest in early intervention, strengthen mental health access, and deploy resources wisely so we protect residents and reduce long term costs.
- Responsible, Forward Looking Development Growth is not just about building more. It is about building wisely. The choices we make on infrastructure, environmental impact, and economic development shape quality of life for decades. Development should strengthen neighborhoods, not strain them. It should protect homeowners, respect our resources, and plan for the long term. I support transparent decision making, responsible energy use, and disciplined investment so that growth expands opportunity while preserving the stability families depend on.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Ahmad's campaign website stated the following:
Priorities
1. Property Taxes & Cost-of-Living Pressure
The Problem
Property taxes continue to strain DuPage homeowners, even as household incomes struggle to keep pace with rising costs. In recent years, higher property assessments have led to increased tax bills for many residents. Illinois consistently ranks among the states with the highest property tax burden in the nation, and in District 2 where many long time homeowners and seniors live on fixed incomes even modest increases can create real financial pressure. When home values rise, assessments increase, and residents who have built their lives here are often the ones squeezed the hardest.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Hold the line on the County levy. While the County Board controls only a small portion of the overall property tax bill about 2 percent responsible budgeting still matters. Mahnoor will maintain a flat County levy and prioritize fiscal discipline to prevent unnecessary increases.
- Expand access to senior exemptions and freezes. DuPage already offers property tax relief programs for seniors. Mahnoor will invest in outreach and assistance so eligible residents can actually access the exemptions and freezes they qualify for.
- Improve efficiency without cutting services. With a County budget exceeding $650 million, even modest efficiency improvements can free up resources to protect taxpayers while maintaining essential services.
- Ensure fair contributions from new development. Mahnoor supports responsible growth that requires new development to contribute appropriately to infrastructure and stormwater costs, rather than shifting those burdens onto existing homeowners.
2. Flooding & Infrastructure That Protects Homes
The Problem
Flooding is a recurring and costly problem in parts of District 2, particularly in neighborhoods near Salt Creek and other flood prone waterways. Aging stormwater systems many built decades ago were not designed to handle the heavier rainfall our region now experiences. Flooding doesn't just damage basements. It drives up insurance costs, threatens property values, and adds long term financial strain for homeowners, even as property taxes remain high.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Prioritize flood prone areas in County capital planning. The County Board plays a central role in setting stormwater and infrastructure funding priorities. Mahnoor will advocate for targeted investments in District 2 neighborhoods that experience repeated flooding.
- Maximize existing federal stormwater funding. DuPage County already administers federal funding for flood mitigation projects. Mahnoor will work to ensure District 2's highest need projects are competitive for these resources.
- Require responsible stormwater management with new development. Growth should not increase flood risk for existing neighborhoods.
- Pursue additional state and federal resilience grants. Mahnoor will push to bring outside funding into DuPage to modernize aging 40 to 50 year old drainage systems and reduce repeat flood damage over the long term.
3. Seniors Should Be Able to Age in Place with Dignity
The Problem
District 2 has a large and growing senior population. Many older residents want to remain in their homes and communities, but face rising taxes, transportation barriers, and difficulty navigating health and support services. When seniors cannot access help early, small problems become emergencies, driving up costs for families and the County.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Protect senior tax relief and access to exemptions.
- Strengthen senior transportation and mobility programs, including Ride DuPage.
- Improve service navigation so seniors can access health, housing, and support services easily.
- Support high quality long term care and strong oversight of County senior facilities.
4. Mental Health Care Is Too Hard to Get
The Problem
DuPage County is expanding its behavioral health crisis system and community based capacity. The County's ARPA Recovery Plan includes major investments in the Crisis Recovery Center and renovations at the Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center. The Crisis Recovery Center provides 24/7 crisis support as an alternative to emergency rooms when appropriate. These investments reflect real need, but access, staffing, and continuity of care remain challenges.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Protect and strengthen behavioral health funding in the County budget.
- Expand care where people are, including mobile crisis response.
- Support community providers through Small Agency Grants for behavioral health and substance use services.
5. Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
The Problem
Across Illinois, suicide is a leading cause of death for young people, including youth ages 10 to 14. Illinois has seen significant increases in youth and young adult suicide over the past decade. In DuPage, school districts have received state support to strengthen suicide prevention and student mental health access.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Strengthen coordination between County behavioral health systems and local schools.
- Expand prevention through County funded community programs, including anti bullying and trauma informed supports.
- Ensure County mental health infrastructure investments include clear youth facing pathways and referrals.
6. Housing Is Becoming Unaffordable
The Problem
DuPage's Community Needs Assessment shows demand far exceeds supply for affordable housing, rental assistance, and shelter services. Housing cost burden is rising countywide, with more families paying over 30 percent of income on housing.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Use federal housing funds the County already receives to expand affordable units.
- Encourage reuse of vacant buildings for senior and affordable housing.
- Require affordability in County backed development projects.
7. Small Businesses Are Still Recovering
The Problem
Small businesses are the backbone of District 2 and DuPage's local economy. While County relief helped many survive recent disruptions, many remain fragile amid rising rents, workforce shortages, and complex permitting and grant systems.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Create a County Small Business Help Desk to help businesses navigate permits, inspections, and available resources.
- Expand access to reinvestment and grant programs for very small and neighborhood based businesses.
- Ensure economic development incentives strengthen local business corridors, not just large developers.
8. County Services Should Be Easy to Use
The Problem
DuPage County provides many services, but residents often struggle to navigate them, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and working families. Transportation barriers and confusing systems delay care and increase long term costs.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Improve coordination and usability of County systems.
- Strengthen transportation supports, including Ride DuPage.
- Fund trusted nonprofit partners that help residents navigate services through Small Agency Grants.
9. Transparent, Accountable County Government
The Problem
Residents expect County government to be fiscally responsible, transparent, and accountable.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Strong budget oversight and contract accountability.
- Clear performance expectations for County programs.
- Open communication with residents about how tax dollars are spent.
10. Immigration & New Americans
The Problem
DuPage County is home to families from all over the world. As an immigrant myself, I believe everyone who lives here deserves dignity, safety, and fair access to county services regardless of where they were born or what language they speak. Immigration policy is federal, but how people are treated in their own communities is local. DuPage County should be a place where every resident can access services, understand their rights, and live with dignity.
How Mahnoor Will Fix It
- Ensure access to county services for all residents by strengthening language access, translation, and interpretation across departments.
- Support public health and human services so immigrant and refugee families can access care, mental health support, and preventive services without fear or barriers.
- Partner with trusted nonprofit organizations that provide legal navigation, workforce support, and family stabilization services.
- Uphold Illinois law by keeping county government focused on public safety not civil immigration enforcement and use the County budget responsibly to support programs that help families stabilize, work, and contribute to our local economy.
— Mahnoor Ahmad's campaign website (March 11, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
