2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I've been motivated to run due to what I perceive to be a lack of long term vision for the city from our current alderman. To address the city's revenue issues we need to build a strong tax base that can only come from allowing better land use. Allowing denser development will help increase the city tax base and further increase the housing supply cutting off housing supply issues down the road. I also am opposed to Sposato's record on voting against abortion rights, the Welcoming City Ordinance, the Anjanette Young Ordinance, and using public money (microgrants) for private schools.

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

Sposato's office does a good job of keeping the community informed of local events and available jobs. I am subscribed to the ward newsletter and I think it contains useful and informative information. I also once went to the office to get a garage sale permit and was promptly attended to, so in my personal experience ward services were prompt.

However, in regards to ward services I feel that a more proactive approach can be taken. An example would be allowing residents to receive a garage sale permit online instead of having to go to the alderman's office or just do away with it if it's not needed. I would also work to streamline other permitting processes that currently involve the alderman.

Another area that needs fixing is to stop using public money for private schools. Alderman Sposato had used microgrant funds for after-school programs at private schools when those could have been used for the benefit of all kids in the ward via park programs.

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

Pressing issues that the ward currently faces is public safety. The ward is part of the 16th district which recently has seen a reduced number of officers patrolling the area. I will work with CPD to address this issue by encouraging the hiring of more officers, and find ways to reduce deskwork so that officers can spend more time on patrol.

Another pressing issue is the rising cost of living. The way I plan to tackle this is by allowing denser developments in our ward to make it more walkable. This provides multiple benefits such as decreasing car dependence by having amenities closer to people reducing the need for a car, an increase in tax base due to more efficient use of land putting less of a tax burden on residents, and increasing the housing supply which will help keep housing affordable.

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

I plan to be accessible to community members by having office hours, weekly ward night meetings and by being accessible via phone and social media. I also intend to maintain a ticketing system that tracks constituent requests and follow up with them in a timely manner.

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

No, I believe this tradition has been abused and has contributed to issues such as the shortfall of housing in the city.

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

It should stay the same. The current budget is enough to backfill officers that left and allocate people to work on administrative tasks to free up officers to patrol neighborhoods.

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

Yes, a real estate transfer tax on properties sold over $1 million should be used to help the unhoused.

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

Yes, the city should open and operate mental health clinics to provide care for all.

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

To allow the natural development of affordable homes Chicago should remove the RS (Residential Single-Unit) zoning, this will allow the creation of 2-flats, 3-flats, and apartments in residential areas. Main streets should also be upzoned to allow development of apartments and potentially storefronts. To keep the city's housing supply from being diminished deconversion's should not be allowed. Also new development can not reduce the number of housing units of the building before it. Finally the city should use city owned land to build housing that's affordable around areas with transit access.

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

I would look to address the issue of shootings with actions that would resolve the issue in the short term and long term. Short-term solutions would be to find ways to free up officers from administrative tasks so that they could patrol neighborhoods. Ensure stiffer penalties for those that commit crimes with a gun and ensure that they are kept off our streets. Solutions that take a long term approach would ensure we're investing in our communities. We need to ensure that healthcare, mental health, homelessness, affordable housing, and lack of educational and job opportunities are addressed. In addition to that CPD needs to fully conform with the consent decree that the DOJ placed on them. Reforms will also be needed so that community trust can be rebuilt with CPD by ensuring that cases are closed in a timely manner, and officers are held accountable for their actions.

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

Yes, all city employees should be required to live in the city.