2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

What’s cruel and unusual to be found in Black or African American wards across the City of Chicago is a poor quality of life riddled with inequities across the spectrum. Particularly, my zip code, 60628, has substantial data that indicates our lives will be cut short due to the intentionality to not invest in the 9th ward. I am running for Alderperson because I believe with every fiber of my being, when we fight, we win! My ward and the far south region are deserving of the right to thrive. For decades, we have survived oppressive leadership and we’re long overdue for a fight that will motivate our people to fight back.

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

Ideally, the Aldermanic office should be available to provide direct service to residents city service needs while improving their quality of life. Additionally, the office should serve as a communication portal to express the community collective thoughts and needs in the council.

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

The 9th Ward is a food desert. We do not have access to fresh food or groceries. I have yet to have a sit down meal with my family in my Ward. That is cruel.We want more than anything, to overcome food insecurity, equitable economic development, affordable housing, and healthcare services. In other words, we want a community that consists of a 15-minute walk to improve our quality of life. My plan is to welcome, support, and work across inter-government to help fund the stability of small owned and operated businesses that will increase fresh food and produce access. The incubation of “ma & pop” grocers is our safest investment.

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

- Relocate the office that is accessible to more residents - Set regular and consistent office hours - Host weekly ward nights - Host monthly town hall meetings - Mobile office hours to accommodate the large ward - Digital broadcasts - Answer the call of residents and their concerns, follow-up, annual pre & post assessment, customer service survey.

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

Historically, aldermanic prerogative has had a negative cloud due to some Alders abuse. Ultimately, the rooted problem is bad Alders that need to be voted out of office. If elected, I welcome the idea of participatory budgeting which is a step in the right direction to intentionally include our residents. When it comes to final say on issues, I do believe that Alders should be the gatekeeper as residents have duly elected them to represent their best interests. Alders understand the dynamics and needs of the community more than someone who is unfamiliar with the area and has no ties.

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

Research has shown that there is no significant relationship between increased police budgets and a reduction in crime. I believe the budget for Chicago Police should decrease and those funds be reallocated to social services to address the underlying issues of crime. Investments should be made in community mental health and social service agencies to tailor intervention services for those experiencing mental health crises. These funds could be used for programming to help to divert non-violent and young offenders from future crimes. We should fund programs and initiatives that provide employment and training opportunities, after-school youth programs, and educational opportunities for people in disenfranchised communities.

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

I support an increase of the real estate transfer tax on properties sold over $1 million. The increase would impact only 5% of the properties This increase could potentially generate as much as $163 million annually to provide permanent affordable housing and related services for the unhoused. The City of Chicago’s FY 2022 budget of $26 million to combat homelessness is grossly underfunded compared to funds appropriated by Los Angeles ($637 million) and New York City ($1.4 billion).

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

I do believe the City should open and operate free mental health clinics. The City has made strides increasing funding for mental health from $12 million in 2019 to $89 million in 2022. It is estimated 60,000 Chicagoans will receive behavioral health services through the City network in 2022. While this is a positive first step, the needs of the public are much greater. The resources on the far south side are severely limited, virtually non-existent. We must do better to equitably distribute access to mental health care across the City.

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

The City must be innovative to house the 120,000 people in need of affordable housing. One sustainable option is retrofitting existing obsolete buildings to create homes. We can also build modular homes, like what was built in East Garfield Park. The construction time was cut down to 90 days. Another option is to construct tiny home communities.

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

To make an impact on crime, we need to address the systemic and underlying the issues of crime which all stem from instability. We need to offer free mental health care, offer universal child care, to bring stability to the housing crisis, food insecurity, and unemployment. If we can meet the needs of those who are desperate and potentially vulnerable to a life of crime we may decrease gun violence. We also need to offer a higher bounty for the gun buy-back programs to further incentivize individuals to turn them in.

Should the city extend the Red Line south from 95th Street to 130th Street and use tax-increment financing from downtown wards to match an expected federal grant?

I absolutely support the extension of the Red Line South to 130th Street using TIF from downtown wards. The city of Chicago should extend the Red Line to provide transit equity that's been long overdue for the far south side. The conversation about the extension shamefully predates my life. 40% of hardworking families from the 9th ward are dependent on public transit and their lives will be enhanced once access to travel is tangible. According to CMAP, the proposed extension would greatly ease bus transit congestion in Greater Roseland.

The majority of the residents from the 9th ward have much higher average commute times on transit, currently over an hour, compared to others living in the region. With the Red Line extension, accessible jobs within an hour commute of the proposed 111th Street Station would increase by 56 percent, an additional 23 higher education facilities would be reachable within an hour from the same station, and over 4,500 retail locations would be newly accessible within an hour of the proposed 111th Street Station. I appreciate and support the unique approach to reallocate TIF to our most destitute and overlooked areas of need to assist in the strengthening of all of Chicago.