– AURORA, Ill.
Laddi Singh (aka Nimrata Kainth Singh), a young energetic first generation Indian immigrant, is campaigning door to door to be elected Nov. 4 from District 54 to the Illinois State House of Representatives. The district includes Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Inverness, parts of Barrington, South Barrington, Hoffman Estates and Arlington Heights. Pitted in a very close race against incumbent right-wing Republican Tom Morrison, Singh has, with support from the top Democratic leadership, rallied many Asian-American communities, according to a campaign press release.
“My opponent is not representative of our community. He has focused on ideologically extreme ‘social issues’ while accomplishing nothing that benefits the people of our district. We need a representative who will listen to all of her constituents, not just to fellow extremists,” Singh is quoted saying in the release.
“I will meet with representatives of all communities that are part of the 54th District and listen to their concerns and ideas. This includes all ethnic groups and economic classes. The Illinois General Assembly does not hear from large parts of our community. I will make that happen. The additional advantage that I have is being a self-made business woman,” said Singh.
As a healthcare professional she says she has seen huge benefits in Obamacare. She also credits Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn with saving the state $5.7 billion by avoiding waste, fraud and abuse.
The higher income tax would have to be swallowed for the short term she said but in the long term proposes a constitutional amendment that allows graduated income tax, coupled with property tax relief for overburdened homeowners, improving the economy and creating jobs, streamlining the administration.
Born in a village in Punjab, Singh graduated in Computer Science, was an officer in the National Cadet Corps, and played soccer at university, state and national level, according to her biography.
After immigrating to the U.S., she worked many odd jobs while attending school to become a certified medical assistant.
She is now C.E.O. of her own health care business. Her father is a chief (sarpanch) of their Punjab village. Singh is married to an information technology professional and has two children.