2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

Having grown up in the 10th Ward and raising my four children here with my husband, I am dedicated to making positive changes in the community. I feel that my experience as a Chicago Police Officer gives me a strong perspective on addressing the crime in the area. As an attorney, I understand how to navigate the system and negotiate to obtain resources for our community.

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

The office has done well in recognizing the need to protect employees rights and pay as well as working with unions to try and finalize Collective Bargaining Agreements. The office has also invested in school improvements, partnerships for schools, school programs and playgrounds for the children. What needs to be done is ensuring funding is spent properly and accounted. It is important to have minimal waste to ensure that future projects may be funded. There needs to be an improvement on the turn around time for school repairs and the opening of additional mental health facilities to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our children and improve mental health stressors for our residents.

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

Public safety is the most pressing issue facing the 10th Ward. In order to deter crime, I will advocate for stronger crime response. In order to address the root cause of crimes, I will work to develop programs to help youth find meaningful activities and a positive path in life.

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

I will have clear office hours and ensure that the office is staffed during those hours. I will have a day where I will have later hours for those who need access in the evenings. I will ensure there is a current email address that is regularly monitored. I will have a website that will have up to date information, including office contact hours. As, social media is a major source of information now, I will also ensure there is information and contact options available on major social media outlets. Remote offices throughout the 10th Ward is another option I will be exploring for better accessibility.

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?

Aldermanic prerogative allows an Alderman to address issues in their ward with more efficiency. I believe the process and use of the prerogative could be evaluated to eliminate any possible corruption.

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

The Police Department is short police officers. We need to address the issues that are causing Police Officers to take lateral transfers and retire early, as well as the lack of interest in working as Police officers. I believe the budget should remain the same so that we can work on filling the vacant Police positions.

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

An increase in the Transfer tax for $1million homes may be helpful, but the amount to be raised should not be so high as to penalize a person for their ability to purchase such a home.

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

Mental health clinics should be opened and operated in Chicago. Any fees for care given should be determined by income. Additionally, income and ability to earn income should be assessed regularly.

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

In the 10th ward there is a large number of abandoned houses. They stay vacant for years and become so deteriorated that they must be torn down. All that is left is a vacant lot. The City should have programs that give resources for first time home buyers to buy an abandoned house and fix it to reside in. The Program will have requirements that the buyer will live in home for a 10-to-15-year term. It would be similar to the vacant lot program.

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

We need more methods of catching the shooters I know the city is offered a rebate for installing a camera in a home or businesses. It was a good idea but for many it was an added cost to their bills. The area that needed the cameras there are more low-income families that could not afford the added monthly cost. The security cameras programs start at 59.00 a month. The city could have a contract with a Security company where it would be affordable the residents.

Should the parent company of General Iron be allowed to operate a metal shredding and recycling operation in the 10th Ward?

The use of industrial areas in the 10th ward has been a lifeline for the creation of jobs, community development and livelihood for many in the 10th ward. However, some of the industries careless practices have served as a cause of many of the health issues plaguing our residents. RPG, the parent company of General Iron, was refused a license to operate here in the 10th ward, but I feel the issue can be readdressed to see if General Iron can meet and exceed the wards expectations for its impact on the environment and community. In which case, they should be allowed to operate. The 10th ward will benefit from the use of the land, provide additional jobs at the facility, and develop tertiary work for residents who collect scrap and who would develop property around the area.

What steps should the city take to reduce air pollution in the 10th Ward?

The southeast side is home to many industries, from shipping to railroad to manufacturing. This has placed a heavy burden on the residents’ health here in the 10th ward. With high levels of asthma throughout the community and other ailments related to poor air quality we must take immediate measures to reduce air pollution.

A few years ago, the EPA along with the City of Chicago Department of Public Health conducted an investigation into several Southeast side companies. They have taken many extraordinary measures to make the companies operating here accountable for their operations such as requiring the improvement of their air quality controls to reduce particulate materials and dust pollution from their facilities. They also imposed consent agreements to improve their practices, issued violations for compliance issues and installed air monitoring equipment to provide an overview on their operations.

With so many companies in or near the 10th ward I believe the response has definitely moved in the right direction toward improving the air quality, but I believe that the city should raise the bar considerably for their minimally accepted levels of emissions from these companies. I also believe there should be more oversight to prevent the companies from falling behind on their environmental responsibility through the use of on site monitors and Air Quality control equipment as well as impose hefty fines for those who violate the restrictions.