2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I love my community. I live in Greater Grand Crossing and I want to serve my community. I am present, I listen and advocate for the voiceless. I have worked with my neighbors and demonstrated that united we can overcome the challenges of disinvestment, crime and scarce resources. When my neighbors call to ask for my help: marching to end violence, do I have any flowers that I can donate for the senior garden, can you help with the community clean up, can you talk to the neighbor who keeps parking in front of my house? I have taken positions absent of support and I have been very successful.

I have lived in the ward for 25 years. During that time I have seen changes and welcome the challenges. I am committed to public service and I get things done in the community. I worked with my neighbors to form a block club, cleaned up empty lots that contributed to blight, created a safe garden space for the community to gather and improved the quality of life in Greater Grand Crossing. I bring that work ethic to the entire 5th ward. I will fight for funding for violence prevention and funding for youth. Change happens when we are united. I will work with other organizations, coalitions and members of the city council to advance the needs of the community.

Being an alderperson combines my skills as a technology professional and a community activist. I will use my education and professional skill set to simply "do more for my community". Problem solving, strategic thinking and project planning are skills that I have perfected in 25 years as a professional problem solver leading and working with diverse stakeholders; in public and private sectors.

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

The office does a good job of keeping up maintenance in the ward. What needs fixing is the ward website, dissemination of information and overall image of the alderperson. While canvassing, many residents shared they cannot find information regarding what is going on in the ward from the alderwoman. As alderwoman, I will focus on constituent services and train staff on handling requests . A revamped ward website with links where you can get assistance and we will provide training. Hands-on workshops to assist in applying for assistance programs. I also want to work with the community to improve the ward beyond one liners. I will answer the phone.

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

Public Safety is the most pressing issue. I want to improve the relationship with police and the community by working with the elected District Council. We will keep working with CAPS. Also in communities where crime is an issue, we can work on a model to supplement private security with officers in the business districts. We need a security presence so that the community feels safe. I would also like expand block club participation.

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

As alderwoman, I will focus on constituent services and train staff on handling requests . A revamped ward website with links where you can get assistance and we will provide training. Hands-on workshops to assist in applying for assistance programs. I also want to work with the community to improve the ward beyond one liners. I will answer the phone. Training to the community regarding 311 reporting, post schedule for projects in the ward, better written and mailed communication, more ward events that get us outside, quarterly meetings in each ward. Document issues and the follow through on the website for more transparency.

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 believe in aldermanic prerogative with support from the community.

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

The budget should stay the same and focus on what the budget is being spent on and the problems with the workforce allocation. There is an opportunity to study why there are slow police response times in black neighborhoods and why there are too many police in other neighborhoods. We need to take seriously the report from the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. There are many opportunities to do better and use data to make better decisions.

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 am not in favor of the transfer tax to fund the unhoused. The mayor included $200 million in the budget to support unhoused Chicagoans.

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

Yes and as a city council work to figure out the best model to pay the doctors and clinicians for the services. I am in Favor of Treatment not Trauma.

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

I live in a community where affordable housing was built. I would partner with the housing voucher program and organizations who provide housing education. The South Shore Housing fair is a perfect example of organizations and community working together. Recipients as a requirement of assistance complete financial literacy programs, home buyer programs and required to save a bit a month. Also support the social bond program as a part of the Chicago Recovery Plan.

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

More funding for violence prevention and victim support. More after school programs more opportunities for parental involvement in the programming. Partner with the community to come up with solutions. It is the residents that can help with solutions and as a community we can work to resolve issues.

Should Promontory Point be designated as a city landmark?

Yes.

Should city officials put protections in place to prevent gentrification spurred by the Obama Presidential Center in South Shore?

Yes, the current CBA being offered needs a few tweaks.

Should city officials do more to protect trees in Jackson Park from being uprooted?

Yes, as a community we can come up with alternatives to tree removal that can align with needed business resources for the community.

What steps should the city take to prevent Chicago’s shoreline from eroding further?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on a new study to address the situation. Based on the data from the study we can take action.