Ward Issues
Homelessness Crisis
I believe housing is a human right in a compassionate society and as Alderman I will organize a city coalition of Chicago Homeless and Housing nonprofit organizations that advocate to prevent and end homelessness. They have the manpower and outreach and with city resources which can be directed to house the homeless. We need to do better in providing a home, overnight shelter, clothing, medical and mental health care. We are at crisis point and deployment of resources must be done with care, efficiency, and accountability.
Public Safety
I have heard from the constituents of the 34th ward about the insufficient community policing provided by the Chicago Police Department. District 12 who is the major provider for policing in the West Loop is short staffed and unable to proactively deal with area crimes and is left with merely responding to 911 calls. The only proactive work entails having beat meetings with the members of the community.
The West Loop and the Loop requires officers walking the areas that data indicates crime is prevalent. It is difficult to assess accountability in the delivery of services when there is no transparency for where and how the budget is allocated. The proposed CPD budget next year is $1.94 billion and is believed that the true cost is $3 Billion.
As the Alderman I will work for transparent budgeting practices and show how major costs — such as pensions, deployment of officers, overruns in overtime, legal settlements, benefits, fleet and facility management — are adding up for Chicago’s taxpayers. And we can begin to make better decision how these budget dollars are deployed to secure our neighborhoods with community policing.
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Infrastructure
The city is set to receive $18 billion in federal funds, in addition to $45 billion in state money. The city council should set the agenda for infrastructure development and improvements with oversight and established completion dates for each project. Projects should include replacing waterlines that contain lead, repairing Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Extend broadband access and convert the city’s CTA system to electric buses. Priorities should also include repairing roads and highways and updating CTA train stops, adding bus lines and stops in poorer minority neighborhoods. We can be a city that works on behalf of all its citizens. I will be an advocate in city council for projects that are quality of life improvements for our 34th ward neighborhoods.
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Ward Office/Constituent Services
As alderman, my office will be committed to transparency, access and accountability for all city services attending to our ward’s needs. Our ward office will provide fast and reliable services for all constituents, residents, and business owners. As alderman, I will be your advocate and encourage communication and community involvement in local governance. I will devote the resources of my office to making sure that the necessities of the ward—such as street cleaning, rodent control, tree trimming, street lighting, park maintenance, and graffiti removal—are quickly and expertly attended to. From my first day as your Alderman, I will address the immediate concerns that our constituents have identified; safety, crime, homelessness, and delivery of services.