IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 1

DATE_____12.18.14________________________ WARD________20th____________________________
NAME__________Willie B. Cochran___________________________________________________
VOTING ADDRESS___6118 S. Woodlawn, Chicago, IL 60637____________________________________
HOME PHONE______________________________BUSINESS PHONE_____________________________
CAMPAIGN ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________
CAMPAIGN PHONE_______773.415.6118_____________FAX____________________________________
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE_____www.williebcochran.com___EMAIL_________williebcochran@gmail.com___
CAMPAIGN MANAGER____________________________________________________________________
NUMBER OF PETITION SIGNATURES FILED____2500_____NUMBER REQUIRED_____473_______
Please provide the following background information:
A. Elective or appointive public and/or party offices previously held including dates. 20th Ward Alderman and
Democratic Committeeman, first elected in 2007
B. Other elective offices for which you have been a candidate. DNA
C. What is your primary occupation? 20th Ward Alderman.
D. Briefly list your civic activities of the past ten years. Local School Council, Board member of 3 not for
profit organizations focused on community planning and development, Church Volunteer and Advisory
Member for Neighborhood Safety Committee.
E. What subjects have you studied and what experience have you had which will be most helpful to you in the
office you seek? M.A. degree in Business/Public Administration
In 1977, I became a Chicago Police Officer and retired from law enforcement in 2003 after 26 years of
dedicated service as a patrolman, investigator, sergeant and federal marshal. I was an Administrative Assistant
to two (2) Deputy Superintendents on the police department. The responsibities there included budgeting and
planning. After retiring from the police department, I went on to work as organizer for the Woodlawn's New
Communities Program. During my tenure as a community organizer, I participated in extensive community
planning activities designed to improve the quality of life and create solutions to problems that have plagued
neighborhoods, such as crime, ineffective schools, and lack of affordable housing, jobs, health, and economic
development. I directed and organized the same type of quality of life initiative in the Washington Park
community where I led the development of its New Communities Program, the Washington Park Consortium.
In addition to being an active resident of the community, I operated a family owned business in Woodlawn for
14 years.
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 1

F. What candidates have you supported in past elections? Please be specific in describing your role in each
campaign. My role as Democratic Committeeman has me involved with many candidates and all elections.
G. Please list all endorsements you have received so far. None yet
H. As concisely as possible, state why you feel you should be endorsed over the other candidate(s). What goals
for the office you seek are most important to you personally?
The most rewarding aspect of being Alderman has been working with people in the community. My
community organizing and planning background. Eight years of positive change throughout all the
communities I serve. The improvement in education, Safety, mental health services, economic growth,
employment and housing restoration and development.
After years of neglect and in partnership with residents, businesses and institutions in our ward, we have
accomplished much. From the $300 million in improvements provided in streets and parkways and lights
to the hundreds of new and rehabbed homes going up throughout the ward.
From the increasing the number of officers for public safety and decreasing crime and violence to
improving educational options and restoring a closed mental health facility.
My experience includes the development of new programs for youth and new market rate and affordable
housing. It includes standing up for legislation to reduce foreclosures and hold lenders responsible for the
property that is on their books. We continue to advocate for expanding pediatric and adult trauma centers.
My experience with the public budget process, and 8 years growing knowledge and experience as the
Alderman.
I. What is your campaign budget? $160,000 How much have you raised to date? $70
J. How many people are on your campaign staff? Three (3) How many volunteers are on your list? 200

IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

Most questions on this questionnaire can be answered by checking either YES or NO. Others are essay questions and all
have the option of answering in greater detail. Just hit enter at the end of the question and begin typing your answer in the
additional space.
CITY COUNCIL REFORM AND ETHICS
YES
NO
X
Do you favor maintaining the current number of City Council committees?
Which committees, if any, would you combine or eliminate?
1.
ESSAY
I am not in favor of combining any committees. But hypothetically speaking, Health and Safety
could be combined.

2.

ESSAY

3.

4.

5.
6.

x
X

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.
12.

X
X
X

13.
14.

X
X

15.

16.

X
X

17.
18.
19.

ESSAY
ESSAY

What reforms are necessary in the City Council's committee rules and structure?
I believe the process by which items are held in committee indiscriminately should be
reformed. I believe any Chairman who has an interest in items on the agenda should not
be allowed to preside over the hearing.
Would you give the Inspector Generals office independent subpoena power or other compulsory
process that can be directed against city officials, agencies and employees without necessitation
the approval of the Mayor or Corporation Counsel?
Should the Inspector General be able to initiate his or her own investigations of Aldermen without
a complaint from outside the office?
Should the Inspector General be able to pursue anonymous complaints?
Do you support patronage in hiring and promoting public employees?
Will you employ or have you employed staff, in your office who hold other public sector jobs
concurrently?
Will you employ or have you employed staff, in your office who have either outside employment or
contracts with entities which do business with the City?
Will you vote for an ordinance mandating that the City contest unemployment claims by former
employees who were fired for cause?
Will you vote for an ordinance forbidding the City to hire or contract the services of anyone
previously fired for cause from the City or any other unit of government?
Will you support an ordinance to reduce the number of wards?
Have you joined or will you join:
The Paul Douglas Caucus
The Independent Progressive Caucus
Both
Do you support changing the state statute to return to filling aldermanic vacancies by special
election, rather than Mayoral appointment?
Will you vote for an ordinance requiring redistricting of the wards to be based on non-partisan
criteria and not to benefit any specific individual or political party?
Will you or have you accepted campaign donations from current or potential suppliers or
employees?
Will you or have you accepted campaign donations from people or businesses seeking zoning
changes in your ward?
Do you support public financing of municipal campaigns?
Please explain your position.
There must be clear delineation in elected offices and public financing in order to ensure
effectiveness and efficiency in City government.
Who are your top 5 contributors and how much has each contributed to your campaign?
What changes would you support to the redistricting process?
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

Redistricting has already been completed and we will follow the protocols that are in
place.
REVENUE AND BUDGET
20.
X
Will you vote to hire independent analysts to conduct a forensic audit of past City spending?
Will you vote for a budget ordinance which would require:
public questioning of city department heads concerning their departments' specific budget
21.
X
requests?
22.
X
making budget copies available to the public 30 days in advance of hearings?
restoring city-wide community group budget hearings several months prior to the publication of
23.
X
the budget, as were held under the Washington and Sawyer administrations?
What additional revenue sources, if any, would you propose?

24.

25.
26.
27.
28.

ESSAY

X
X
X
X
X

29.

ESSAY

The citizens of Chicago are facing hard economic times, and as a public servant, it is my job to
help alleviate that burden whenever possible, not add to it. In recent years, the citys budget
has been balanced on the backs of workers with an unprecedented number of furlough days,
staff cutbacks and an unwillingness to replace the large number of city workers that are retiring
while workloads are increasing. I strongly believe that there are other ways to generate new
revenue, and that we must be more exhaustive in our efforts to develop those new revenue
streams, including in burgeoning industries as alternative energies and advanced
manufacturing. However, I do recognize that the demand for city services continues to grow.
As Alderman, I will continue to ensure that city services are being provided in the most fiscally
efficient manner possible.

Do you support casino gambling for Chicago?

Will you vote to require a citywide referendum before any gambling is instituted in the City?
Will you vote to roll back Mayoral and Aldermanic salaries to pre-2007 levels?
Will you vote for an ordinance limiting future Mayoral and Aldermanic salary increases to the
same percentage as the lowest raise for any class of city employees?
Do you agree with the criticism that City government is top heavy with management?
Please explain your position.
All citizens should have a voice in city policy. You need people in place to ensure that those
voices are heard and the things that will benefit all residents of the city are being implemented.

What measures will you vote for to reform the city pension plan and ensure its solvency?
Growth is the key to the funding of the police and fire pension fund. At present, all the
proposed solutions are aimed at reducing the pensions of those who put their faith and
their money into a pension plan. The shortfall is not the fault of the public servants of
the city whose pensions run from a modest $34,000 a year to a still pretty modest
$78,000 a year for a retired teacher.
30.

ESSAY

Grow the economy, restore full positions to the police force so that there are more
contributions into the pension fund, make certain that the investments of the pension
funds are sound (the stock market has never been higher, those heights should help
pension funding).
If taxes are needed, dont use the regressive fees that are currently in place which the
Tribune reported added up to $481 per household per year over the past four years.
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

They place the burden on the working people of the city. Better to use property taxes or
income taxes.
How would you modify (if at all) the benefit and contribution levels and eligibility requirements for
public employee pensions?
31

ESSAY

32.

Choose One
X
YES

33.

I believe in creating a level playing field for all Chicago residents. I dont believe any benefits
should be cut once a person retires unless they are collecting several government pension that
place them in the top 1 percent

Should discretionary funds for ward services and infrastructure improvements be allocated
in equal amounts to each ward
based on the size of each ward
based on the needs of each ward

NO

Will you institute participatory budgeting to allow ward residents to vote on discretionary spending
in your ward?

PRIVATIZATION
Which city services or assets, if any, do you believe should be privatized and what is your
criteria?
34.

ESSAY

35.

36.

37.

38.

ESSAY

ESSAY

While there are some instances where privatization makes sense, but where there is a
reduction in city revenues in the long term and lower wage jobs for city residents, we need to
examine other avenues to enhance revenues to build the economy.

Will you vote for an ordinance requiring an independent analysis of any lease or outsourcing
arrangement?
Will you vote for an ordinance requiring detailed analysis and evaluation of any lease or
outsourcing arrangement at least 30 days prior to the City Council vote?
Before voting on privatization contracts, what will you do to ensure that they deliver the maximum
return and best service for city residents in the long term?
My priority is to protect the working and middle class people of my ward from deceptive
practices. However I believe that creating a level playing field for all citizens goes beyond any
boundaries. All proposals should be thoroughly vetted with all area legislators, residents,
community members and civic organizations.

What procedures will you implement to ensure that privatization arrangements are not being used
to move patronage workers outside of the scope of the Rutan decision requirements or any other
anti-patronage rules or protocols?
The Citys inspector general is tasked with investigating the performance of government
officers, employees, functions and programs. I encourage and will continue to support
their efforts to detect and prevent misconduct, inefficiency and waste within the
programs and operations of city government.

PLANNING, ZONING, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

How will you involve ward residents in planning?
The 20th ward has a number of very active community, civic and grassroots
39.
ESSAY
organizations that has assisted in creating a broader strategy that has expanded the
renewal efforts in the area. I consistently work with, meet and advise these groups of
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

40.

ESSAY

potential activity in the area and request their feedback on a variety of issues. Our
quarterly newsletter capsulate the information and shared with the entire ward.
What is your long-range plan for development of the ward?
In August 2011, the 20th Ward was awarded HUDs first $30.5 million Choice
Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) grant in response to a powerful proposal put forth by a
partnership that included neighborhood leaders and organizations. The CNI award has
expanded and accelerated my Woodlawn plans to go beyond housing and attracted other
private, philanthropic and public funders. The plan includes upgrading and integrating
every aspect of the community from housing to parks, education to public safety, from
job creation to improved streetscapes and landscapes. In addition, we were able to
secure $7.5 million in grants to homeowners, $1.7 million directly to existing small
businesses and tax incentives to manufacturing businesses.
Searching for and securing a variety of revenue enhancing options, along with TIF,
supplies communities with the needed jobs and income. If used correctly, these funding
bases can benefit all Chicago workers and communities.

41.

ESSAY

42.

ESSAY

43.

44.

45.

ESSAY

What criteria do you or will you use in determining whether or not to grant a zoning change or
variance?
The voices of the residents in the ward as well as my insight into Regional Planning
goals bear on how we move forward with development in the 20th Ward. Engaging our
residents along with civic and grassroots organizations to have a voice in the direction
of the ward.
How will you involve residents in planning, approval, and oversight of TIF districts?
Advisory and review.
Will you vote to terminate a TIF if the objectives of the TIF plan have been accomplished before
the 23 year period is ended? No community I serve would be attaining that possibility in the time
period and expected resources associated with the TIF projections.
Will you vote to return unspent and uncommitted TIF funds on an annual basis to the various
taxing bodies?
How do you propose to replace property tax revenue for CPS and other taxing bodies that is lost
to TIF development?
TIF is an important economic development tool to encourage development and
investment where it would not otherwise occur. However, I believe that the TIF program
is in need of serious reform. Part of the process for the improvement of the TIFs is to
require more citizen engagement in the early stages of concept development and overall
planning.
I believe that the City can make adjustments to the TIF system that could provide both
immediate and long-term relief for cash-starved taxing bodies in Chicago, including
such measures as allowing older TIF districts to be dissolved, if necessary, before the
end of their 23 year life span, or indexing the frozen tax baseline to inflation, so the
taxing bodies dependent on this revenue can keep pace throughout the life of the TIF as
their costs increase. As to the reduction of TIF districts, I believe that such a decision
should made after careful evaluation as to whether the funds are truly being appropriated
to blighted or conservation areas, staying true to the original purpose of TIF. Finally
and most importantly, any spending of City dollars, TIF or otherwise, must be a part of a
transparent budget process. TIF budgeting and, in particular, the subsidies given to
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

46.

47.

48.

various entities within TIF districts, has occurred behind closed doors for too long. As
our elected representatives, the City Council must be given a larger role in the process
with strong public participation.
Will you support a moratorium on creation of any new TIF districts until new funding sources are
identified to replace the revenue diverted to the TIF?
Will you vote for an ordinance requiring that large corporate entities receiving $250,000 or more in
public subsidies, and their tenants, must pay their workers a living wage (currently $11/hour)?
Will you vote to invest substantially more in job-training and the creation of transitional job
programs in disadvantaged communities, including the formerly incarcerated, homeless, youth,
and non-English speakers?

HOUSING
49.

50.

51.

52.

ESSAY

53.

ESSAY

54.

ESSAY

55.

ESSAY

56.

YES
X

57.

58.

59

60

NO

Will you vote to amend the Vacant Properties Ordinance to require mortgage servicers to register
their properties?
Do you support enacting an ordinance to preserve Single-Room Occupancy housing?
Will you vote for an inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring developers to set aside 30% of
residential new construction or renovation for the creation of affordable housing?
What measures will you support to guarantee that some of the foreclosed properties saved
through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program are made affordable to families at 40% and 60%
of AMI? I have already required developers to devote units at 40 and 60 percent as well as
market rate.
What procedures and safeguards would you put in place on conversion/demolition of SROs and
other low income housing to ensure that affordable housing will continue to be available for low
income tenants who would otherwise be displaced?
For too many Chicagoans, renting a unit in a SRO building is the difference between a
safe place to rest and sleeping on the street. I recently co-sponsored legislation that
establishes a legal framework for preserving SRO while generating revenue to support
building owners that seek to continue offering affordable housing. The ordinance also
established a goal to preserve at least 700 SRO units over the next five years, using a
mix of financial incentives for which SRO owners can apply.
What measures will you support to ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable family
sized units available to families in the Section 8 program?
We have stabilized many housing corridors in the 20th ward, turning abandon buildings
or vacant lots into sustainable housing options for all residents. We continue to
encourage income diversity but ensure that all new and rehab housing developments
have an affordable component to its strategy. Using tax credits, federal funding and
forcing CHA to utilize the vouchers and resources that agency holds would be an
immediate boost.
What measures will you support to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals and
families who are not served by any existing programs? See response to number 54
Do you support any of the following to be built in your ward?
low income rental housing that is affordable to those at 15% to 30% of AMI?
supportive housing for people overcoming addiction and other problems which contribute to
homelessness?
shelters for the homeless?
Do you favor a moratorium on the conversion or demolition of SROs pending the development of
protections and remedies to protect the displaced tenants from becoming homeless?
Do you support allowing the demolition of existing public housing units without new or
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

61.

Choose One
X

EDUCATION
62.
Choose One

X
63.

YES
X

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

rehabilitated replacement housing on a one-for-one basis?

Which standard should the City use to define affordable housing?
AMI of the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area
AMI of Cook County
AMI of Chicago
AMI of the Community Area
Which of the following options for choosing the School Board do you support?
Popular Election
Mayoral appointment from nominations made by community representatives
Maintaining the current system of Mayoral appointment
A mix of elected and appointed members

NO

ESSAY

Will you support a city-wide lottery for enrollment in magnet schools?

Will you support LSCs in maintaining full powers, and support them through adequate funding
levels that provide training and support for LSCs to do their jobs?
Will you support a moratorium on school closings until a detailed analysis of the impacts of
shuffling children is completed, and a real plan to address the quality of education and safety for
every child is in place?
Will you support development and implementation of a more comprehensive and accurate
approach to evaluate student and teacher performance than reliance on the SAT and ACT tests?
Would you favor repealing (or modifying) the 70% requirement for voting to authorize teacher
strikes?
What is your assessment of Renaissance 2010 and its implementation in your ward as well as the
City as a whole? Please include in your assessment the role of charter schools as well as the
power to reconstitute schools.
I am a champion for education and have been closely watching a variety of education
reform matters. I am certainly opposed to fraud or deals that defraud the taxpayers and
the children of the City.
I believe that charter schools can be an important mechanism for testing alternative
learning strategies. However, it is imperative that there be a balance with the opening of
new schools and the preservation of existing schools. Although the mission of
Renaissance 2010 was to create more high quality educational options across Chicago,
the opening of charter schools does not relieve the city of its ongoing responsibility to
support and enhance already existing schools.
I believe that there ought to be a more comprehensive method by which we carefully evaluate
the performance of the teachers and administrators in a troubled school district before making
such a drastic decision close or turn around a school, which I think works strongly to the
detriment of neighborhood schools. Whether through performance incentives or mandates, we
must be more deliberate in identifying those teachers who are not performing rather than
summarily firing everyone.

69.

ESSAY

What should the City do to improve the quality of all local schools?
The alderman of the city council do not have a vote on the board of educations
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

decisions. However, schools are the backbone of healthy communities. We should be
working to make these schools better. The school closure plan disproportionally affected
at-risk children in underserved communities. In the 20th Ward alone, the closings
displaced 3,330 students. In order to better use the citys already available resources
and keep local public schools open, I cosponsored a resolution calling for a moratorium
on opening new charter schools.
As community leaders, we should be encouraging better school attendance, not
instituting educational barriers. That starts with a realistic approach to evaluating the
citys educational assets, not simply trying to save money on the backs of working
families.

70.

ESSAY

What are your plans to improve the local schools in your ward?
Improving local schools and education of our children has been a priority for my
administration. I have established an Education Task Force in the 20th Ward, brought in
reading programs to advance the comprehension of kindergarten and first grade
students. I have worked on the expansion of Early Childhood Development, which
includes complete family services and support, and has also expanded GED programs in
the communities.
I fought against the proposed closings of 13 schools in the 20th Ward. Before and when
CTU went on strike, I wrote letters of support, held community meetings to come up
with strategies to keep our schools open, walked the picket lines with the educators in
my district and encourage residents to have their voice heard by contacting Chicago
Public Schools directly.

71.

ESSAY

ENVIRONMENT
72.
X
73.
X
74.
X
75.

76.

77.

ESSAY

78.

ESSAY

How would you modify (if at all) the benefit and contribution levels and eligibility requirements for
public school teacher pension?
As mentioned in a previous answer, growth is the key to the funding of the public school
teachers pension fund. At present, all the proposed solutions are aimed at reducing the
pensions of those who put their faith and their money into a pension plan. Grow the
economy, restore full positions to the teachers so that there are more contributions into
the pension fund, make certain that the investments of the pension funds are sound.
Will you vote for the Clean Power Ordinance?
Will you vote to privatize Chicago's water delivery system?
Will you vote to ban Styrofoam food containers in Chicago public schools?
Will you vote to ban Styrofoam food containers in Chicago restaurants and food delivery
services?
Will you vote to adopt the water quality standards recommended by the Pollution Control Board?
What should the City do to encourage and implement alternative forms of energy?
Chicago has an impressive record of environmental leadership. To continue to build on
that legacy, we have to keep pushing for alternative fuels and other sustainable forms of
energy.
What other environmental initiatives, if any, do you propose?
I encourage all new or rehabilitated buildings in the 20th ward to have green
components. In addition, Im a co-sponsor of the proposal that would put an automotive
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

fuel with 15% ethanol, E15, into Chicagos gas stations.
PARKS
79.
X
X
80.

81.

ESSAY

Rank 1-5 or
say no to any

1
2
4
3
84.
85.
86.

YES
X

X
X

ESSAY

X
88.

89.
90.
91.

ESSAY
x
ESSAY
X

Will you vote to increase the City subsidy to the CTA?

Please indicate which CTA expansion plans, if any, you support and rank them in order of priority
(1 highest)
Red Line south to 130th Street
Orange Line to Ford City Mall
Downtown Circulator
Downtown-O'Hare Express
Other please specify

NO

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
X
87.

While there are some instances where privatization makes sense, but where there is a
reduction in city revenues in the long term and lower wage jobs for city residents, we need to
examine other avenues to enhance revenues to build the economy.

Do you support prioritization of land acquisition and capital improvements first to those
neighborhoods which are underserved by existing facilities?

TRANSPORTATION
82.
X
83.

Do you support election of the Chicago Park District Board?

Do you support increased privatization of park facilities and services?
Why or why not?

Do you support renegotiation of Chicago's parking meter privatization deal?

Do you support privatization of Midway Airport?
Do you support the O'Hare expansion plan?
Is 911 response time adequate?
If not, how can it be improved? Increased use of technology and hiring civilian and sworn
members.
As a former police officer, Ive seen first-hand the trauma crime and violence can bring
to a community. However, I also believe that we must balance this by introducing and
expanding programs that help our most vulnerable youth and prevent them from moving
toward crime
Are there inequities in 911 service in your ward?
If so, what can be done to redress them? Implementing Crime Prevention Strategies
I think the safety of our citizens is of the utmost importance and having a fully staffed
police and firefighter force should be at the top of the list. In the case of the Chicago
Police Department, I do support realigning beats to increase safety in higher crime
neighborhoods.
Do you support re-allocating police services from low-crime to high-crime neighborhoods?
What changes, if any, would you suggest for the CAPS program? Actually increase the
number of personal who are assigned to the program. Develop strategies that have
strategic outcomes at the end of the program.
Will you vote for more funding for alternative crime prevention programs such as Cease Fire?
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

What measures will you support to stop the schools to prison pipeline?
As previously mentioned, we must balance this by introducing and expanding programs
that help our most vulnerable youth and prevent them from moving toward crime.
During my tenure I have successfully implemented; Early Childhood Development is an
area I have been working to expand. Workforce development programs have been a
priority.

92.

ESSAY

93.
94.

X
ESSAY

95.

96.

ESSAY

E.A.V.I: (Expanded Anti-Violence Initiative) launched in Englewood as

a pilot program that resulted in a 28% drop in public violence
Added 26 law enforcement cameras across the ward and invested in a
pilot program to visually patrol and dispatch
Organized West Woodlawn Task Force for strategic action on safety
issues
Supported new legislation that makes three-year penalties mandatory for
gang members caught carrying guns
Worked with D.A.R.E. and Ceasefire to promote safety programs in and
out of school, along with safety committees in Woodlawn, Englewood
and Back of the Yards

Do you support gun control?

What measures, if any, should the City Council adopt in response to recent court decisions
striking down Chicago's handgun ban? The Council has already Set sensible guidelines that
conform to the rulings of the court.
Will you vote to order the City to stop paying legal fees and attempt to recover past legal costs of
city employees implicated in the Police Board findings of misconduct related to the Burge case?
My vote on this matter will be based on the findings of the review process and other factors
bearing on this matter.
Please share your views regarding the functioning of the Independent Police Review Authority
and whether it should operate more independently of the Police Department. I do not understand
this question because the Independent Police Review Authority currently operates independently
of the Police Department.

CIVIL RIGHTS
97.

98.

99.

ESSAY

100.

ESSAY

Do you support affirmative action based on race, gender and sexual orientation in establishing
criteria for hiring and promoting public employees?
Do you support affirmative action as a criteria in letting city contracts?
Please comment on current participation of individuals with disabilities in city hiring and contracts.
Our society is going to be seeing greater numbers of the disabled. We have an aging
population and wars are raging around the world. In addition to those who are born with
disabilities. Addressing the matter of hiring and contracts is proper planning.
Please comment on current women and minority participation in city hiring and contracts. Be sure
your comments include firefighter and police officer recruitment and promotion.
I think the city gets a failing grade on participation levels. The fire and police
departments continue to fail to deliver the appropriate representation of minorities.
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IVI-IPO 2015 CHICAGO ALDERMANIC QUESTIONNAIRE - SECTION 2

101.

102.

103.

X
ESSAY

History tells us the only way we have been any kind of balance is through federal
court supervision and order.
Do you favor restructuring the wage scale of city employees to institute gender-equal pay for jobs
of comparable worth?
Will you vote to require all City vendors and contractors to provide spousal benefits for same-sex
partners of their employees?
Will you vote for the Municipal ID ordinance?
Why or why not? I think the current systems of identification are satisfactory

ALDERMANIC PRIORITIES
What employment, if any, other than alderman, do you intend to hold?
104.
ESSAY
None
How will you divide your time between your aldermanic duties and your other occupation?
105.
ESSAY
N/A
Please specify the minimum hours per week you will spend performing your aldermanic duties.
106.
ESSAY
30 hours I make myself available to 20th ward residents no matter the time or day.
Please describe your service office staffing plan, including the number of staff, full and part time,
107.
ESSAY
how you will pay for them, and the number of hours per week that your service office will be open.
My service office is open 5 days a week, 40 hours
What services need improvement in your ward? How will you achieve this?
Park District services and investments need improving. Streets and Sanitation services.
Working with the various agencies and government bodies to target those areas of need.
108.
ESSAY
I will continue to ensure that city services are being provided in the most fiscally
efficient manner possible to continue to provide the optimal delivery of services.
What are your top priorities for the Ward?
My priorities have always been increasing employment, education, safety and
housing opportunities in my ward and the area.
109.

ESSAY

110.

ESSAY

As Alderman, I will continue to ensure that city services are being provided in the most
fiscally efficient manner possible. Advocate for budget adjustments and advance the use
of technology whenever possible to improve and innovate
How will you work with community groups and residents on City matters?
All citizens should have a voice in city policy. I will continue to ensure that the residents of the
20th Ward voices are heard.

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