2023 Chicago Runoff Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

My father always told me "if you leave the community, you're apart of the problem and not the solution." So I stayed,  I come from legacy of public servants from the 24th Ward. From My Grandmother, mom, dad and brother,  I’ve been a public servant most of my life and was fortunate enough to have been appointed to this position,  I have a job to do to serve my community. A community that has been underserved for several decades. The 24th Ward is finally getting the city services and the economic development  it deserves.  Our community need a strong, transparent leader to serve with experience and a legacy of service to get the job done.

What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?

My office is efficient at responding to constituents concerns and taking pride in their work. Some areas of improvement can be computer and technical duties.

What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?

I don't have just one pressing issue, the 24th Ward has several.  A lack of housing, health disparities, safety issues, lack of jobs, quality education and a lack of economic development all work hand in hand and you can't decouple one without the other.

What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?

Address the needs of the constituents,  Anticipate your customers’ wants,  Meeting the basic needs by listening to your constituents concerns is what we do to ensure the best customer service giving from the 24th ward. Stereotypes: Understanding the negative impressions constituents might harbor about alderpersons and their roles. Knowing this allows you educate your constituent when you come in contact with them. FOLLOW up is key and I pride my office on immediate response.  Address issues today so that we don't have to problems tomorrow.

Do you believe in the tradition of aldermanic prerogative, which gives each City Council member the final say on issues in their ward?

I do believe that those who support prerogative generally point to the idea that representatives tend to know their communities and wards better than anyone, so it makes sense to defer to our decision-making. Removing it completely,  could remove residents’ voices from conversations about what their neighborhoods could look like.

Should the $1.9 billion budget for the Chicago Police Department increase, stay the same or decrease?

I definitely believe our spending on public safety is not delivering the results our communities need. We need to have continued transparent  conversations on what that look like.

Should the city raise the Real Estate Transfer Tax on properties sold for more than $1 million to fund programs to help unhoused Chicagoans?

NO.

Should the city open and operate mental health clinics to provide free care to Chicagoans?

CDPH, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and other agencies has been able to provide therapy, care coordination, and/or psychiatric services to 139 clients living in Englewood, Roseland, and South Chicago who wouldn't have been able to be served without this funding. We need to continue creative ways to fund these organizations to reduce the issue faced with our metal health population.

How should Chicago build the 120,000 homes it needs for low- and moderate-income Chicagoans?

One solution is to work with public and private partners.  Another idea is modular homes. which is being implemented in the 24Th Ward by LCDC and United Power. Continued Monthly meetings with the department of housing and planning to implement new developers with the chi block builder initiative.

What do you see as potential solutions to address the number of shootings in Chicago?

More Officers on the street.  More Detectives to the solve the shoots/murders on the city streets.  Shootings have dropped in North Lawndale in 2022. This shows that prevention and intervention programs are working such as CRED, UCAN and READI in 24th ward community. Street outreach workers, many of whom were once trapped in a vicious cycle of violence, are living proof of the potential that can be unleashed from these troubled young people with the right guidance and opportunity.

How will you ensure that the industrial complex set to be built at Roosevelt Road and Kostner Avenue does not increase traffic, noise and air pollution?

Because of these concerns, a thoughtfully designed site that minimizes negative effects of the land use and maximizes community wellness is also top priority for AJ Patton. A.J. Patton, Founder and CEO of 548 Development, an MBE-certified, full-service development and construction company focuses on environmental sustainability. This negotiated agreement for this invest south/west initiative with the developer assured that we have environmental friendly facility. Noise  and traffic will increase with the increase of jobs, people and cars. I will work with CDOT and traffic controls to assure the residents are not under any constraints as it relate to the influx of more people.

Should Douglass Park continue to host large music festivals?

I support community festivals, and their importance in the North Lawndale community is growing. Festivals stimulate the local economy, are a source of tourism for external residents and exposure for neighborhood residents, and provide an opportunity for neighborhood residents to participate in events without limitations. As community festivals continue in the 24th Ward, I'd like to explore opportunities to redirect all of the revenue to the hosting park and to strengthen the communication plans for events to give residents (especially seniors) more time to prepare for potential disruption.