About the Candidate
Name: David Moore
DOB: Feb. 21, 1966
Family: I am the single parent of a daughter in college
Occupation: Alderman of the 17th Ward
Political Experience: My first elected office was as 17th Ward alderman in the 2015 election, followed by election as Democratic committeeman in 2016.
Website: citizensformoore.com
Candidate Statement
I’m David Moore and I’m running for re-election as 17th Ward alderman.
2019 will be an exciting time to be a Chicago alderman. Not only will residents vote for a new mayor, but in all likelihood the Progressive Caucus will have an opportunity to increase its members in the City Council.
That’s important, because decisions made in city council impact all of us—the privatization of parking meters, the installation of red-light and speed cameras, the closing of 50 neighborhood schools, how TIF money is spent and where...are just some examples of votes that negatively impact communities that are struggling already.
Imagine if instead of paying $700 million for police misconduct, between 2004 and 2018, we were investing that money into the city’s 17 predominantly black wards. That would come to $41 million per ward.
I first ran for alderman, because no one was fighting for 17th Ward residents. As alderman, it’s my job to bring resources back to the ward. It’s my job to be accessible, involved and to represent residents in City Hall. That means sometimes disagreeing with the mayor and siding with 17th Ward residents, which I’ve done more than any other alderman in city council.
After years of neglect, the 17th Ward is improving. More residents are taking part in ward activities and as a result, there is an increase in the number of block clubs working together to improve the quality of life for residents.
Crime is down, which is a direct result of community involvement. Working closely with district commanders, block club presidents, community organizations and residents is an important key to everyone making a difference.
Our motto for the 17th Ward is: A clean community is a safe community is a working community.
I’m running for re-election on February 26, 2019, and I need your vote to continue to be your voice and represent 17th Ward residents.
Thank you.
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
Continuing the hallmarks of my first term as alderman -- transparency, two-way communication and strategic planning with the community to determine priorities and goals for improving the ward’s health at every level. In my second term, I want to focus more on small business development, increasing engagement of young people in the community, and employment opportunities for youth and displaced workers.
More broadly, I see taking a bigger picture approach to issues that affect adjoining wards and other areas of the city. I will continue my advocacy for the South Suburban Airport, which is 90 percent ready to go, despite being blocked at every turn by Chicago’s last two mayors and thanks to the two Democratic and two Republican governors who preceded the outgoing governor. With the support of a new governor and mayor, we may finally see the real work begin on the single biggest economic engine able to transform the city’s South Side, the south suburbs and many downstate communities.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
Community development is the underlying factor for nearly every issue facing my constituents – from violence and health, to access to quality employment, schools, housing and city services. As the 2018 CMAP Economic Disparity Report emphasizes, black Chicagoans have not benefitted from the upturn in prosperity experienced by other parts of the city of state since the recession. In fact, they are worse off than before. It is way too late to continue relying unsuccessfully on piece-meal, regressive (e.g., regressive fines/fees) “solutions” or social programs for what CMAP describes as “the multi-faceted and persistent nature” of “disinvestment that often outstrips the ability of any one community to respond effectively.”
This is why I believe it imperative to champion the South Suburban Airport. Completing, maintaining and expanding it will mean hundreds of construction jobs well into the future, as well as countless service, administrative, professional and small-business opportunities. The inaugural phase alone will create 15,000 direct and indirect jobs at every skill level. Imagine starting now to involve residents in these benefits. Partnerships between the airport, labor organizations, education institutions and community organizations could create a long-term path for the necessary training of young, disadvantaged and displaced workers in particular to step into a variety of jobs as they become available. Many of these jobs will have a direct economic impact on South Side communities. When people work, they spend money, which generates more revenue for the city.
