The Issues
Access to your Alderman - I will respond to the needs & concerns of residents.
The staff in my aldermanic office will be trained and prepared to answer questions you have in a professional manner. Whether you contact my office in person, by phone or by email, we will respond to your concerns in a timely fashion. We will keep you informed of new developments, projects and programs taking place in your neighborhood.
Skyrocketing Property Taxes - I will fight for the 7% cap on property tax assessments.
But we have to do more than this temporary fix. Government corruption and waste is a direct cause of higher property taxes. I will put an end to sweetheart deals and giveaways to big businesses. I will demand accountability for taxes captured by the 140+ TIFS (Tax Increment Financing Districts) that freeze taxes to schools and park districts and that has shifted the city's funding burden onto homeowners. We must stem the rise of taxes that has pushed families and senior citizens from the ward.
Balanced & Responsible Development - Residents will be my top priority.
I will hold developers and builders accountable for the work they do in our ward. I will work with residents and neighborhood groups to ensure that new developments are of the highest quality and fit the community. I will ask developers to work closely with neighboring homeowners throughout the process.
Corruption & Waste - I will fight to end political corruption.
I will do this by voting to enforce the Shakman Decree and implementing a ban on ward employees gathering signatures or politicking on city time. City employees will be banned from having to contribute to my campaign. I will introduce legislation that holds city department heads accountable for the budgets they prepare and the money they spend. I will also advocate for legislation to have cameras placed in the Chicago City Council so that the people of this city can see what aldermen do on their behalf.
Education - Education is the foundation of our community.
I am committed to supporting the Chicago Public Schools. I will work with educators and the community to find ways to support our schools and our children with funding and programs. I will lobby state and local leaders to close the funding gap in order to provide our children with the highest quality education. I will meet with school administrators, parents, and students to discuss their needs. I will also support efforts by local leaders who want more accountability for TIF spending where it concerns education funding.
Recycling - I want a recycling program that works.
I will demand that the 32nd Ward be a part of the new "source-separated" recycling program that will replace the ineffective Blue Bag program. Virtually every major city in the United States has a proven program for source-separated recycling and it is time our city implemented this in a city-wide program.
CTA and Transportation - I will demand accountability from CTA management and transportation agencies.
I will work with our federal and state legislators to bring funding to our ward to fix our aging transportation infrastructure. I will support programs such as Moving Beyond Congestion, and organizations that support bicycling and carpooling. We cannot wait for a hopeful Olympic bid to fix our dilapidated transportation infrastructure and the CTA. We cannot wait another nine years for our Alderman, whose only CTA concern is the new Circle Line, to step up to the plate. We must act now to stop the constant delays and wrecks that are, as Crain's says, "crippling this crucial cog in the city's infrastructure." (1/29/07)