At the Illinois State Capitol, Nabeela Syed stood confidently as senators questioned her about a bill she was working to pass. One by one, the senators asked difficult questions about the proposal. Syed responded calmly and thoughtfully, showing her knowledge of the issue and explaining why the bill mattered. By the end of the discussion, she had convinced enough senators to support the bill and move it forward.
“I really try to focus on the people I represent and the issues that matter most to them,” Syed said.
Syed is the representative for Illinois’ 51st District. She was elected on November 8, 2022, defeating incumbent Republican Chris Bos. At just 23 years old at the time, she became one of the youngest members ever elected to the Illinois General Assembly. Since taking office, she has focused on listening to the communities in the northwest suburbs and advocating for working families.
Early Life
Syed was born and raised in Illinois. Her parents immigrated to Palatine from Hyderabad, India in the 1980s. She attended high school in Palatine, where she participated in her school’s Congressional Debate team and won several awards. Syed is Muslim and has spoken about how her background shaped her interest in public service.
She later attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Career Before the Legislature
Before becoming a state representative, Syed gained experience working in politics and public service. In 2021, she served as campaign manager for Township High School District 211 school board member Tim McGowan. She also worked as a marketing and development intern for EMILY’s List, a political organization that supports women running for office.
Syed also worked with the nonprofit Civic Nation as an assistant director of digital strategy. Today, she works full-time as a legislator.
Focus in Office
During her time in office, Syed has focused on issues such as lowering costs for families and improving access to healthcare.
She has helped pass legislation to cap prescription drug costs, expand breast cancer screenings, secure paid leave for organ donors, and make voting more accessible for young people.
“My goal has always been to deliver real results for Illinois families,” Syed said.
Looking Ahead
Syed is currently running for the Illinois State Senate in the 26th District. If elected, she would become one of the youngest state senators in the country.
In a letter to voters, Syed explained why she wants to continue serving in a larger role.
“My name is Nabeela Syed, and I’m running to represent you in the 26th Senate District,” she wrote. “I’ve been deeply honored to serve you in the Illinois House where I’ve worked hard to deliver real results for Illinois families.”
She also emphasized her continued focus on lowering healthcare costs.
“As your next state senator, I’ll continue my work to make prescription drugs more affordable,” Syed wrote. “I passed a law to stop price gouging on generic drugs, and I plan to keep working to lower out-of-pocket costs and expand access to affordable medicine.”
Syed also highlighted her commitment to protecting healthcare access and helping families deal with rising costs.
“I believe in being an authentic and hardworking voice for our community,” she wrote. “Representing you has been an honor of a lifetime, and I’m ready to get to work in the Senate.”
