2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I believe I am the best choice for the 38th Ward as I am anchored in this community. Its vibrancy and safety are critical to me as a resident and leader. I do not have a personal agenda but rather invite community input as essential to improving my performance. I have a keen sense of problem-solving based on learned skills and experience, understanding how to prepare a balanced budget and monitoring its progress throughout the year. Knowledge of how government works at every level from direct experience.  Communication skills built from years of working with the community.

At the age of 55, I completed my master's degree in Political Science, focus on Public Policy. I know the importance of education and strived to improve my leadership skills with this graduate education. 

I have an agenda in place, ready to implement on day one built on priorities from the input of residents and formulated by their concerns and needs.

I am Pro-Choice. I will fight for the rights of all individuals regardless of who they love, how they pray, ethnicity, gender, age or financial status. I do not tolerate discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

I've had some really tough challenges of late, dealing with the loss of loved ones and serious health issues of someone very dear to me. Yet I have never neglected my professional responsibilities. I consider this a test of my strength, faith and integrity and I am stronger and more compassionate because of it. Skills that make a great leader.

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

The city of Chicago has a system for residents to report city service needs through a phone call or internet source known as 311. While it is a resource for the constituency it is not equitable or effective in the 38th Ward, and frankly this should be used infrequently. The office of the alderperson is where the majority of service requests should be directed, addressed and delivered.

The role of the alderperson is to be the first line of communication between the resident and the city of Chicago. The alderperson needs to have her or his finger on the needs of the community. In the 38th Ward, this needs fixing.

Communication between the constituency and the alderperson's office is seriously lacking. The response time is poor. I plan on fixing this by committing to a 48-hour response time to all calls, emails or texts. This is not rhetoric; I did this as chief of staff in the 30th Ward and know I will do it as alderperson.

The geographic disparity in city services is evident, dependent on where you live. The residents east of Harlem Avenue have had little to no contact with the current administration, a fact that has been relayed to me as I canvass door to door, over and over again. This will be fixed!

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

Crime. During the first 15 days of January of this year, more than a dozen automobiles were stolen in the 38th Ward. Attending a CAPS meeting this week, auto theft has doubled from last year and all crime is on the rise. The 16th Police District is almost 100 officers down from years past, leaving some beats without regular patrol and most cars have only one officer. The majority of the residents have Ring doorbells and cameras for their property which allows access to ongoing crime, within the community, through an app download on their smartphone. This information is not substantiated by law enforcement and can cause undo concern. This should not be residents' first line of communication.

The alderman's office receives regular crime reports and alerts which should then be forwarded to the community in real time — easily accomplished with electronic networking. I am committed to make this happen. In addition, I would form a comprehensive crime watch program throughout the ward, training residents how to be their own best ally in crime prevention and the process of networking with neighbors and other local stakeholders. I will hire a retired police officer as part of my administration to implement these measures, using their knowledge and experience to guide the process.

Creating partnerships with schools, churches, parks, police stations and libraries to implement after-school care — a parental choice that can be affordable and reliable.  Creation of a community network that watches out for older residents. Their safety and well-being must always be the concern of leadership as they are the most vulnerable.  Instead of the focus being on speed cameras, lets increase license plate scanners throughout the ward. This information is a necessary tool for apprehension — and not a money-making trap for the residents.

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

I will formulate a Community Advisory Council, from each neighborhood in the ward, which will be at least monthly to discuss priorities in their communities and develop a plan to address them. I will develop a neighborhood crime watch program that will be facilitated through the service office, with the help of a retired police officer on staff that will open the lines of communication through a partnership that includes the 16th Police District. I will walk the ward, block by block once a week to listen to the needs of the community. I will host regular events throughout the ward that brings the community together and promotes the exchange of information, socialization and building community strength. My office with be open 6 days a week with extended hours on specific evenings to make myself accessible to the residency. 

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

Yes. Aldermanic prerogative must promote the issues and concerns of its constituency from direct engagement with residents. Alderpersons should have a keen sense of what is needed in the ward, prioritized by input from residents and personally surveying the ward as a whole to ensure that equitable resources are distributed throughout. 

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

Increasing the budget lends toward increasing the manpower of the Chicago Police Department. That said, the usage of additional dollars must be prioritized according to the needs of each community and police district combined with supporting police officers and their families.

The increase in suicide within the Chicago Police Department must become a priority of our city. PTSD is an epidemic problem for the men and women police officers. Alderman Napolitano is urging the City Council to consider injection treatments commonly used in the military as an effective tool to remove thoughts of suicide that derive from the extreme stress and trauma of the job. Currently, the city of Chicago's health insurance plans do not cover these alternate treatment options. Any increase in the CPD budget should include coverage for these mental health and medical treatments for officers at no cost to the individual. Counselling for officers and their families must also be increased, available throughout the career of the officer as they deem warranted.  

Increased funding must also include advanced training for officers. A department dealing with high crime and deficient budgeting lends toward miss opportunities for ongoing training. 

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

This question warrants more research. I do agree that increased programming is warranted to help minimize the unhoused Chicagoans. There are not enough resources to accommodate the growing number which includes the recent influx of unhoused immigrants. I am not convinced that a Real Estate Transfer Tax is the answer. Increase in federal and state funds would be a better option.

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

Most definitely. The mental illness crisis in our city has been developing over years and years. It has been put on the back burner by all levels of government. On the Northwest side of Chicago, home of the 38th Ward, there is not a social service agency that is present and can serve the needs of this community.  This is not acceptable. If we want to save lives and futures of families in our city, we need to reimagine our behavioral health system and talk the necessary steps to provide the care and access that our residents need.

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

These homes should be planned and developed with a comprehensive all-inclusive approach with public and private partnerships. The city owns many vacant lots across the city that could be part of this plan. Additionally, there are a number of privately owned vacant lots which could be purchased or partnered for housing projects.

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

The vast number of unregistered firearms on the streets of Chicago is beyond alarming. Coupled with assault weapons on our streets lends toward the continued loss of life from shootings across the city, especially in the South and West sides. Recent legislation which prohibits assault-style weaponry, high-capacity magazines and switches was a step in the right direction but is now held up in court. We need to get these guns of the streets. We also need to fix the social issues which escalate the violence in our city. Gun violence has become normal, it hasn't always been that way. Lack of resources in the high crime areas such as mental health services, neighborhood parks with coordinated activities, schools with safe, recreational outlets, and fresh, healthy food are some of the reasons people turn toward crime and violence. We need to do better!

Should city employees continue to be required to live in Chicago?

This is a very complex question with an even more complex answer. The large number of individuals and their families employed by the city, living within the city, provides tax dollars that fund the services provided. If those barriers were lifted, I am afraid the exodus that would occur to neighboring suburban communities would cause a detrimental effect on our economy. The recent increase in real estate taxes for Chicago homeowners is enough in itself to prompt people to move. As I campaign through the Northwest side, that is the second most relayed concern after crime. That said, the city's need for qualified teachers has also reached a crisis point. I do believe relinquishing the boundaries to allow individuals qualified in this profession should be explored.