Election 2026: 14th Senate District Candidate Brian Skala

Brian Skala faces longtime incumbent Emil Jones III in the race for the 14th Senate District seat on Nov. 3.

Longtime incumbent Jones III won his spot on the ballot in the March 2026 primary—the first time he'd had challengers in 20 years. Skala ran unopposed in his primary.

First elected in 2009, Jones currently represents the 14th Senate District, which stretches from Roseland on Chicago's South Side to include all or parts of Alsip, Blue Island, Calumet Park, Chicago, Crestwood, Dixmoor, Dolton, Harvey, Homer Glen, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Posen, Riverdale, Robbins and Tinley Park.

Patch provided candidates with a questionnaire. Skala's answers are shared below.

Name:

Brian Skala

Town of Residence:

Crestwood

Position Sought:

Senate 14th district

Party Affiliation:

Republican

Family:

No answer provided.

Education:

Nazareth Academy in Lagrange Park Illinois Benedictine College

Occupation:

Local 130 union plumber 30 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Presently Trustee for the Village of Crestwood

Campaign website:

skalaforillinois.com/

The single most pressing issue facing our district or state is ___________, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Solving municipal financing and capital improvement projects to stop the long term financial bleed on each town and its residents.

More specifically, the impact that decades neglect has caused to the infrastructure of the towns in your district and how those costs are passed on to the individual resident.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Jones was accused of agreeing to take bribes from a red-light camera company executive. Jones ultimately ended up making a deffered prosecution agreement with the FBI. He later reached an agreement with prosecutors that kept him out of jail. He stayed home from work 33% of his time in session last year. Ill take a construction approach to this job. plumber shows up, fixes what's broken, and stands behind the work.

If you support tax cuts in Illinois, what spending should be eliminated to offset those cuts? Please be specific. Should Illinois enact a progressive income tax in which higher earners pay greater percentages of their income?

I feel an immediate tax freeze should be applied next year until the present leadership can show cuts. No progressive taxes. Like any other business, government needs to operate within their means

What specific steps should be taken to reduce the state's massive unfunded liability in its pension systems?

Fix the funding formula, dedicated windfall and surplus. Pension obligation bonds

SB4166 would refinance part of the liabilities with pension obligation bonds. Rebuild tier 2 obligations.

What would you do to make housing, food, gas and utilities more affordable for Illinois residents?

I will not vote yes to another utility tax hike. And I have a program that I will implement for a Starter home initiative.

How has the state's decision to legalize marijuana in 2019 worked out?

It was designed to help offset lost municipal funding and school budgets. But the State took more of the money made for themselves and left us with little to nothing.

What role, if any, should the state play in keeping the Bears in Illinois, and what public assistance would you support for a new stadium? What would losing the Chicago Bears to a neighboring state mean in terms of loss of revenue?

I would only provide assistance we would normally give any business as incentives. If we give the ridiculous demands a billion dollars franchise is demanding we would never recover any return on investment.

Should the state cooperate with federal immigration authorities in investigations? What should be the limits, if any?

The state has always assisted with immigration authorities. But any misuse of powers or authority should be prosecuted to the extent of the law. No different than bad local police work.

Should the state regulate Flock cameras/automated license plate readers? Why or why not?

There are currently state regulations. And luckily those who are misusing it are being held responsible.

Should the Illinois General Assembly adopt new rules for dealing with sexual harassment complaints against elected House and Senate members by staffers? How can the current system be enforced? What are your ideas for improving the ILGA's sexual harassment policies?

Yes, they can use a vetted, citizen-led search committee, with a fixed term and removal only for cause. Require a deputy or standby investigator so complaints don't stall during a vacancy. Protect complaints and full transparency especially if found guilty.

Should the state of Illinois impose a moratorium on the building of data centers? Why or why not?

I would like to see data centers have to pay for all water and electricity usage. And responsible for any and all hazardous waste.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Look me up on my Facebook page and YouTube at Skala for Illinois. We have been ignored by our representative in our Senate district for long enough. Somewhere along the way they have forgotten its We the People. Im putting people before politics.