2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

As a Chicago native, I have seen the effects of ineffective political leaders and understand clearly why change is needed. As a teacher, I have experienced the painful impact of disinvestment on my students and their families. Being a teacher forces me to see the realities of our community. I have put food in backpacks to send home. I have students with parents in jail, and students with one parent working two jobs. Seeing children endure inequities,and experiencing children dying from gun violence is the reason why I am running for 6th Ward alderperson.

I want to build a stronger, safer and more equitable Chicago. My life's work has always been centered in service, as a teacher and as a community activist. I cannot think of any greater platform to continue this service than as the alderperson of the 6th Ward.

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

The alderperson’s office is an important office because it is a hyper-local, direct link to neighbors- the ward’s constituents. When the duties of the alderperson are performed well, then concerns of constituents are appropriately addressed and the ward thrives economically and socially. Essentially, the design of Chicago’s City Council and the alderperson’s office does not need fixing. The issue is electing alders that do not understand their responsibility to consult and inform constituents. The epitome of this breakdown in aldermanic responsibility is the failure to engage in an open forum about the Bring Chicago Home proposal, which could house many homeless individuals and families across the City.

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

Gun Violence is a national health crisis and I recognize the need to address this growing crisis through the lens of a health- based approach. In October 2022, at least 298 teens and children under the age of 18 were shot and 41 of those shootings were fatal. In 2021, we had 800 homicides in Chicago and 4,328 shootings. I have a plan to help curb the violence that is plaguing our streets. First, I will work diligently to increase funding for our public schools. Increased funding will allow enhanced support to our youth and families experiencing behavioral health challenges, housing, financial, and other social determinants of health challenges.

Data shows that employment and stable income are deterrents of crime. A family’s quality of life is directly correlated to the economic vitality of the community. Thus, my plan is to focus on the economic development of Chicago by increasing jobs and supporting livable wages. Partnering with unions and trade schools, I will work to increase apprenticeships that lead to employment. Worker’s rights are also paramount to achieving upward mobility. For instance, paid maternal/paternal leave, paid sick leave, and livable wages are necessary to help working families thrive.

As we transition from 2022 to 2023, it is apparent that workers are increasingly being priced out of homeownership and rents have skyrocketed. As alderman, I will prioritize housing affordability. On day one, without any hesitation, I will work to increase affordable housing. Chicago was the only city in the Midwest to make the top 100 when it comes to highest rent. Rising rents and other housing costs, combined with persistent inflation for necessities like food and gas, have left more of our neighbors homeless or in fear of losing their homes. Specifically, I will fight to provide limitations on rent increases at 150% of the consumer price index or 3%, whichever is higher. This will allow landlords to make a return on investment, while making rents more affordable.

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

The responsibility of the alderperson is to engage, consult, and inform constituents. Additionally, the alderperson is accountable for ensuring that resources needed are appropriately distributed and managed. The COVID-19 pandemic proved that there must be multiple mediums for communication. When alderperson, I will meet face-to-face with constituents during my monthly “alderperson on the block” meetings with block club presidents and quarterly town halls that will be available virtually as well.

Additionally, as alderperson, I will form a multi-generational, cross-movement coalition of constituents to assist in identifying, prioritizing, and designing plans to solve challenges. Frequent updates will be provided to constituents via social media, the alder’s online newsletter, and submission of issues can be submitted in-person or via the alder’s website. Lastly, the 6th Ward is very large in size, and in an effort to increase accessibility, I will operate two offices in the ward.

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

Yes, I believe in the tradition of aldermanic prerogative. The responsibility of the alderperson should be to represent and advocate for the needs and wants of the constituents. Constituents must continue to hold the alderperson responsible for advocating for their needs. The epitome of this are the decisions being made in the planning and implementation of the Invest South/West programs. There are instances that constituents have communicated clearly a need for more grocery stores in food deserts, but the constituents’ needs are being ignored due to political chess. The alderperson should have the prerogative to implement the needs of the constituents.

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

The $1.9 billion budget should stay the same. However, CPD must spend more strategically. Currently, CPD’s workforce allocation should be examined and improved. We need more officers and more detectives! Additionally, investments in technological tools like drones and smart holsters that will help to keep our officers and the community safe, are much needed.

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

Housing is a human right. Today, Chicago has over 65,000 individuals that are homeless. I am an advocate for the Bring Chicago Home proposal, which includes raising the Real Estate Transfer Tax on properties sold for more than $1 million to fund programs to help homeless Chicagoans. We need to address this crisis with innovative solutions. More must be done to get unhoused Chicagoans off the streets and to create a more equitable, inclusive and thriving Chicago. When alderperson, not only will I fight for the Bring Chicago Home proposal, I will also fight to make housing more affordable.

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

Yes! Chicago is still experiencing the negative impact of former Mayor Emanuel’s decision to close six of the twelve public mental health hospitals. Chicago thrives when our vulnerable communities receive the treatment that is needed.

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

First, Chicago must work to make all housing more affordable. According to Forbes.com, Chicago’s average rent increased by 8.6% from November 2021 to November 2022. Due to the rising rent, when alderperson, I will advocate to provide a limitation on rent increase at 150% of the consumer price index or 3%, whichever is higher. I am also a proponent for expanding the Affordable Requirement Ordinance so that residential developments with 10 or more units need to reserve units for affordable housing and increase funding for the Chicago Housing Trust so that working individuals and families can purchase homes of their own at prices they can afford.

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

Gun Violence is a national health crisis and we need to address this growing crisis through the lens of a health- based approach. I have lost many family members due to gun violence. I lost my cousin during a shooting in River Oaks Mall in 2019. At least, 364 teens and children under the age of 18 were shot in 2022, 54 of those shootings were fatal. In 2022, one of my students was injured due to gun violence. This cannot be our new normal! Our communities are blighted with gun violence and we are losing our children far too soon. As Dr. King said we are confronted with the fierce urgency of now!

I have a plan, as Alderman, that requires all of Chicago to work together. We must provide the necessary resources and tools for those impacted by socioeconomic factors that correlate with increasing gun violence. It is through street outreach, coaching & counseling, workforce development, advocacy & prevention, and policy changes that will assist reducing gun violence from our streets.

First, we must solve crime. We can do this by adding more detectives. When we solve crime, we reduce more crime due to retaliation, and we give families closure. According to the Chicago Tribune, New York has 4,500 detectives and Los Angeles dedicates 17% of its department to detectives. CPD has only 1,200 detectives, and only 140 detectives are assigned to homicide investigations.

-Increase City funding for mental health services, social services, and violence intervention programs. I support the Treatment Not Trauma ordinance, which calls for the dispatch of an emergency medical technician and mental health professional to respond to 911 mental health- related crisis calls. Additionally, I also support adding mental health facilities within a 5-mile radius of every police district.

-Assist in bridging the community and police relationship to help end the code of silence and creating a city- run witness protection program that allows individuals to aid police investigations without fear of retaliation. Give officers consistent beat assignments in an effort to build trust.

-Work with the community, Federal, and State officials to repeal the liability shield for gun manufacturers.

-Partner with City, State, and Federal elected officials to improve strategic alignment to combat gun violence.

-Tighten punishment for straw purchases.

Should the CTA reopen the Green Line train station at Racine?

I wholeheartedly support reopening the Green Line train station at Racine. The opening of the Green Line train station can invigorate communities and attract new jobs, opportunities and development. This would be an important investment not only in transportation, but in bringing equity into blighted, disinvested communities.

What should replace the shuttered Whole Foods grocery store?

Englewood needs a store that is affordable, has healthy selections and dedicated to serving the people of Englewood. I do not think that where you live should dictate your healthy food options. Save-A- Lot, Trader Joes or Jewel’s would be appropriate for the location, keeping Englewood families and the community living a healthy lifestyle. The five alders that share the wards that make up Englewood, must reduce abandonment by using city entitlements. Any operator that receives any city entitlement must remain in the location for at least 10 years. If the operator leaves before that time, they must pay back any entitlements.