2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I am a champion of the 13th Ward, and under my leadership, the 13th Ward is thriving. Every decision I make is based on what my constituents need. Together we have accomplished a lot — from millions of dollars in investment along the Cicero Ave. corridor and $300 million investment in local schools to new parks and the best constituent services in the city. I’ve rolled up my sleeves, spent time listening and then delivering. This election is a down payment on residents’ future satisfaction, and there’s more work to be done.

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

This office does many things well that impact residents’ lives in a positive way. I am focused on providing high-quality constituent services and making the 13th Ward a place where people want to move, raise their families and set down roots. This includes creating and supporting policies that ensure our streets are safe, first responders are supported, and strong educational and job opportunities exist. I am the only alderman in the city to operate two full-time constituent services offices. I am currently working with residents to create a new local police district in order to better serve the community. I oversaw nearly $300 million investment in 13th Ward schools, including the first selective enrollment high school on the Southwest Side of Chicago. I don’t think there is any specific item that needs fixing. I think we have done great work together and there is more work to be done.

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

Crime and safety is our top issue. I support our police and am currently working with residents to create a new local police district to better serve the community.

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

I am the only alderman in the city to operate two full-time constituent services offices. I know 13th Ward residents and their families on a personal basis. I spend time at the doors listening and collaborating with them. I believe in participatory representation. Every decision I make is based on the needs of my constituents. I provide high-quality, unwavering constituent services. People regularly see me doing the work. I personally shovel snow. During our last snow storm, my staff and I removed snow from 700 seniors’ homes. My staff removes graffiti and cleans up shuttered buildings so quickly they rarely can be found in the ward. I have brought millions of dollars in investment to the community by recruiting numerous businesses to Cicero Avenue and throughout the ward. I am working to close the gap between opportunities for students on the North and South Sides of the city, and brought the first selective enrollment school to 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. If an alderman is doing his or her job correctly, no one knows the ward better than the alderman.

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

The CPD budget should increase. We need to add more crime-fighting officers to the streets. According to the Public Safety Commissioner, the 35 new police positions in the current city budget are actually civilian jobs. There were no new, crime-fighting positions built into this budget. We also need to do a better job recruiting and retaining our officers. Too many have retired or left for police jobs in the suburbs or out of state. In the 8th District, which includes the 13th Ward, I am working with our residents to add a new police district in order to better serve the community. There is currently a shortage of police officers in the area. The officer to resident ratio in the 8th District is 13 officers to every 10,000 residents, the second-lowest in the city. To date, I’ve collected over 5,000 signatures in support of this proposal.

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 believe we need to help our homeless residents, but I do not believe we should use the Real Estate Transfer Tax to do it.

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

Yes, I am open to the idea.

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

I believe our budgets have some room to free up funding for low- and moderate-income housing. I am supportive of zero-based budgeting and identifying bloat that can provide funding for projects like this one. I believe we can do more to right-size our budgets and make them more efficient.

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

The police cannot be the only ones tasked with addressing and fighting crime. We must be innovative and take a holistic approach to fighting crime, including shootings. This is how I have approached fighting crime in the 13th Ward, including drag racing that is plaguing the entire city. I held a public safety summit last fall with all the relevant stakeholders — the local police commander, local business leaders, various community groups and residents — to come up with a plan to eliminate drag racing from our ward. As a result, we shut down a known drag racing hotspot — a parking lot at 71st Street and Pulaski. We constructed gates and barriers that keeps drag racers out, and it has worked. I know shootings are an entirely different crime, but I believe we all have a role to play.

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

Yes. To truly be invested in the city, you need to be part of it every day.