2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

Help fix the 11th Ward and Chicago. I am one of nine children born to immigrant parents who did not speak English, yet worked hard to raise their large family. I started my adult life as a high school dropout. After much work and a few breaks, I completed my GED, finished college, graduated from law school and passed the Illinois Bar. With the experience I obtained during several diverse positions in my life, my knowledge, integrity, honesty and commitment to my community, I believe I would be an asset to the people of the 11th Ward and City of Chicago as Alderman. My diverse background has taught me a great deal about people and their need for good honest government. I will fight and never up to make the people of the 11th Ward Safer. Have stronger communities and serve the people of the 11th Ward not lobbyists or special interest.

I will fight for:

• Safer Neighborhoods- Revamp CAPS Program- Police Officers walk neighborhood beats
• Better City Services – including extra cleanup in alleys & streets
• Vocational Schools – Provides skills for good paying jobs in the trades without college debt
• Lower Property Taxes
• Cleaner Environment
• Better Public Schools
• Stopping Junk Fees
• Term Limits for All Alderman and the Mayor
• A Dog Park in the 11th Ward.

Active in the community Vice President of the Ukrainian National Museum I started and ran a fishing derby for kids out of McKinley Park that has earned the reputation as Chicago’s Best. Recipient of the McKinley Park Civic Association for Community Service Award. 2020 Former Chairman of the Education Funding Advisory Board for the State of Illinois.

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

Good office hours. Requires improved city services, increased transparency, fostering unity among all its communities, and a powerful representative for the community who will not simply approve the mayor's decisions without question.

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

Although there are many concerns of the people of the 11th Ward Crime is number one. The Chicago Police Department Beat 914 in the 11th Ward had the most robberies in the entire city of Chicago for 2022 with a total of 176 robberies reported. This amounts to a robbery taking place in this single police beat every other day.

Here are a few possible solutions to the rise in violent crime in the 11th Ward; Have police officers walk the neighborhood beats at least one hour of their shifts, two times a week. (Weather and time permitting.) In addition to having patrol cars patrolling the streets, all sworn police officers including the ones working behind a desk and other non - street positions and departments out walking our neighborhoods. Chicago has a shortage of police officers. The strategy is to maintain this level of staffing until additional officers are deployed to the 9th District. Once additional officers are deployed to the 9th District then there can be consistent beat patrols of police walking in the neighborhood.

The benefits of police officers walking neighborhood beats; (1) increased visibility – A police officer walking the beat is more visible to the community than a patrol car driving through the neighborhood. This increased visibility can help deter crime. (2) Improved relationships – A police officer walking in a neighborhood would interact with the community residents in a more personal way which would help build trust and improve relationships between the police and community. (3) When a police officer is walking a beat, they have the opportunity to observe and identify potential problems.

Revamp CAPS Program - Low attendance at CAPS meetings are a concern, and steps must be taken to understand the reason for this and take action to improve it. One possible solution is to redesign the CAPS program, giving it a new focus and approach, with the goal of increasing attendance and community engagement. By closely monitoring the results and making adjustments as needed, the program can become more effective in reducing crime in the community.

Invest In Mentoring Programs - Mentoring programs play a crucial role in the development on inner city youth. As a high school dropout – turned lawyer, I can attest to the significance and impact of mentorship in one’s personal and professional growth.

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

To make the 11th Ward office more accessible and responsible to constituents, regular office hours can be established for face-to-face interaction. Also, a user-friendly website can be developed that provides news and information about the ward, including an interactive section for city services. Gather feedback from the community through both online and in-person forms. Actively seek input and stay responsive to the needs of the community.

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

Yes. Although on big development projects in the Ward I believe the people in the community also need to have a voice in the decision making.

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

Increase. We should hire additional police officers, improve the CAPS program, implement neighborhood walk patrols, and expand detective units to decrease the backlog of unresolved violent crimes.

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

When I ride the CTA trains, it is not uncommon for me to see people sleeping in the stations and on the trains. It is also not uncommon to see people living in tents in Chicago. is one of the highest taxed cities in the United States. A better solution should be found other than raising already high taxes.

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

Yes.

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

Building 120,000 homes in Chicago for low and moderate income people is a complex task that requires addressing various questions and reaching agreements on key issues, including but not limited to; the size and cost of the homes, funding sources and contributions from state and federal government, and potential partnerships with non-profit organizations.

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

Enforce gun laws, increase police visibility by having police walk neighborhood beats. Revamp the CAPS program. Address underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education and access to opportunity.

Also, have vocation schools that provide skills for good paying jobs in the trades. This can help to keep individuals engaged, motivated and may provide them with a sense of purpose. With proper mentoring, good paying jobs, money in their pockets, responsibility and respect individuals would be less likely to join gangs, and commit crimes.

Have good Mentoring programs that provide hope and guidance for at-risk individuals, helping to steer them away from joining gangs. As someone who dropped out of high school and later became a lawyer, I personally understand the powerful impact mentorship can have on personal and professional development.

Should a new high school be built at 24th and State streets, on land owned by the Chicago Housing Authority?

As a former high school dropout turned lawyer and former Chairman of the Education Funding Advisory Board for Illinois, I am deeply troubled by the state of public education. The city and CPS have made a decision about a new school in the South Loop without allowing for much engagement from the community. I question whether adequate consideration has been given to the school's logistics, such as the lack of a plan for parking. Additionally, this school is not a sustainable solution for the long-term. I believe a high school is necessary in the 11th Ward.

What steps should the city take to help Chinatown continue to grow?

Reduce Crime. The Chicago Police Department recently disclosed their annual crime statistics for 2022, and the numbers are alarming for the community. Beat 914 which includes Chinatown had the highest number of robberies in the entire City of Chicago for the year 2022, with a total of 176 robberies reported. This amounts to a robbery talking place in this single police beat of the 11th Ward every other day. Also the city can better marked Chinatown.