2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

Over the past 16 years, I have raised my children, operated my business, and served the 4th Ward Community. I have been active with youth development, violence prevention, community development, local school council, park planning, and preservation of affordable housing. I know and love the people in this community and want to ensure that we are investing in our schools and communities so that residents are not just surviving, they are thriving. My experience and relationships will allow me to bring the resources to develop commercial corridors, preserve affordable housing, and invest in the success of our youth. Becoming Alderman allows me to bring the knowledge that I gained as an attorney, business owner, community organizer, and mom to continue to elevate the 4th Ward and help Chicago remain a world class city.

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

The current office implemented community advisory boards to allow more community participation on issues affecting the Ward. I plan to extend community involvement through participatory budgeting and town hall meetings to improve communication about development, events, streets, sanitation, and other 4th Ward and City of Chicago issues. I also plan to be a present Alderman, attending community, local school council, park advisory council, chamber of commerce, and other meetings so that I am aware of the issues facing residents and can be responsive and resourceful where necessary.

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

Ongoing increases in property taxes and inequitable distribution of those funds impact affordable housing, education, jobs, and economic development. The increases cause a financial burden on tenants, seniors, and working families while neighborhood schools struggle with necessary resources to provide quality education. Exorbitant property tax increases in commercial districts has caused a revolving door of struggling small businesses that open and shutter, and impact jobs, stability, and vibrancy throughout the ward.

The non- transparent TIF program redirects funds from parks and schools, causes property tax increases, and does not result in the volume of affordable housing necessary to avoid displacement of residents, further complicating issues of affordability and quality education. The resulting lack of jobs, vibrancy, and youth development resources causes poverty, hopelessness, and crime. As Alderman, I will ensure that small businesses have access to the resources available to develop commercial corridors; create strategic partnerships and prioritize funding to support violence prevention, extracurricular activities, job training, and mental health services; and, fight to stabilize property taxes by maximizing alternative sources of income and advocating for zero based budget to reduce budget inefficiencies.

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

The current 4th Ward community advisory boards provide a mechanism for community participation in ward related issues. I plan to make these meetings open and accessible to Ward residents. I will also implement participatory budgeting and town hall meetings to effectively communicate with residents and manage streets, sanitation, and public safety issues throughout the Ward. Finally, I will offer weekly office hours with walk in times and ensure that I have a staff who prioritize timely follow through.

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 not. Aldermanic prerogative results in lack of transparency, lack of community input, and corruption.

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

A large portion of the police budget should be allocated to technology, civilian jobs, and community investment. I support the use of real time crime centers and other technology based programs that incorporate involvement of civilians and businesses to solve crime. A portion of the police budget should also be allocated to youth development programs such as sports, theater, music, art, chess and other extracurricular programs.

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

A large percentage of the unhoused population suffer from mental health or substance abuse issues. It is not clear from this question whether the "programs to help" would include funding mental health services and facilities, which the City of Chicago woefully lacks. In addition, options such as accessory dwelling units, tiny homes, and use of the closed schools that tax dollars pay to heat and maintain all need to be expanded in order to address the unhoused population. Taxes should not be arbitrarily increased without information about exactly what the funds will be used for so that we can ensure that we are funding programs that solve the issues that we are facing.

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

Yes. In addition, we need to have a mental health crisis line such as 988 to avoid dangerous police interactions and provide access to mental health services.

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

Sell the existing 10,000 + lots owned by the city with a priority to those who plan to build affordable housing, support expansion on zoning to include tiny homes, modular housing, and the accessory dwelling unit ordinance, reduce the excessively extended time to obtain permits to rehab existing blighted homes, expand funding programs to repair existing housing, and encourage conversion of the existing vacant high rise office space, which is unlikely to ever see full occupancy, to affordable housing.

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

Crime is not a disease, it is a symptom. We have to address crime by addressing all of the underlying issue, disinvestment, and lack of collaboration. As a community member, I have created partnerships with neighbors and local businesses for violence prevention, and it works. We have to reignite hope in our communities by investing in commercial corridors, creating neighborhood vibrancy, invest in youth development and extra- curricular activities, and ensuring that residents have access to mental health and other support services. In addition, I support the use of real time crime centers which create a collaboration between technology, police, civilians, and businesses to monitor, respond to, and solve crimes.

Should Promontory Point be designated as a city landmark?

Yes, the community effort to save the point has been ongoing for years. Designation as a landmark will require restoration of the existing revetment and preserve the point as a gathering place for the community.

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?

Yes, it creates access to job and encourages economic development.