About the Candidate
Name: Susan Sadlowski Garza
DOB: Dec. 16, 1959
Family: Married to Raul Garza, four children and two grandchildren
Occupation:
- Formerly, CPS Counselor at Jane Addams Elementary School
- Currently, full-time Alderman
- Alderman 10th Ward, 2015 to present
- Democratic Committeeman, 2016 to present
Candidate Statement
Franklin Roosevelt said, “the test of our progress is not whether we add more to those who have much, but whether we provide enough to those who have too little...”
Today in the 10th Ward – as in many Chicago neighborhoods - far too many families have too little to make ends meet. Too few neighborhoods are safe from drugs and violence and too many people are stuck searching for good job opportunities without success; there are too many tax breaks and loopholes for the very wealthy and politically-connected, and too few taxpayer dollars coming back to our schools and infrastructure.
I fight every day so that City Hall works for the working and middle class neighborhoods of the 10th Ward. I’m proud of my victories thus far.
I know that city government has the capacity to do good but it needs to do much better.
Families, and what they need, must be our priority.
The big shots on the 5th floor say not everyone belongs in the conversation. But we need a discussion that addresses the problems we have with a sense of urgency and, we need a plan that demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of life for every resident.
We need opportunities that don’t require trading good health for good jobs; more resources so our police aren’t stretched thin in our neighborhoods; we need to make schools - and our youth - are the priority they should be, and we deserve our share of city services for the taxes we pay.
I’ve talked with hundreds of people throughout the 10th Ward and they tell me they want a city government that works – not one plagued by waste and corruption.
People in the 10th Ward work hard. They aren’t looking for special deals or a short cut.
They just want a fair shake to help their families succeed; a quality education for their kids; safe neighborhoods; good job opportunities; clean air and water and they want real value for the taxes they pay.
My message to City Hall has been that 10th Ward residents expect and deserve no less.
My message to you is that I’ll continue to begin each day with a commitment to make sure you get it.
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
Seventy seven years ago, Franklin Roosevelt in his second inaugural address said, ‘...the test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether we provide enough for those who have too little.’ I ran for office four years ago because I believe that government at every level has the capacity to do good. And, that elected officials have a special responsibility to insure that no one is left out of the debate or left behind.
We need a plan and a vision that solves the problems of our city with a sense of urgency, but we need to do it in a way that offers the best possible solution for the long-haul —that offers a real, purposeful agenda for progress that brings people in.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
The people of Chicago and the 10th Ward work hard. They aren’t looking for a short cut or special deal. They just want a fair shot at helping their families succeed - a quality education for their kids; good job opportunities; safe neighborhoods; clean air and water.
Every person running for the city council or for any elected office has to be focused on the special responsibility they have to help improve the quality of life for every family.
People have a right to expect that and they deserve no less.
