What types of transportation do you and your family use during an average week, and how has this shaped your view of transportation policy for schools?

I drive to work and walk or take the Blue line for most other transportation needs. Growing up (in the Northwest Suburbs), I took the bus to school every morning and took the regular bus back home or the activity bus that drove me back after extracurriculars. That was essential for me as a student and that has shaped how I view school busing -- essential.

What are some of the transportation challenges that families and students face in your district?

First, many students have to travel long distances to attend quality schools, particularly in areas where neighborhood schools have been historically disinvested from. This can mean long bus rides or relying on public transportation, which may not always be reliable or safe, especially during early mornings or late afternoons.

Additionally, inconsistent bus service for students with special needs has been a major issue, with delays and cancellations leaving students stranded or arriving late to school, impacting their learning time. For families without access to reliable transportation, this can create daily stress and logistical issues, particularly for parents who work multiple jobs or don’t have flexible schedules.

School pick up/drop off can be chaotic and at times unsafe. What are ways you think this could be improved?

I know policies can be different from school to school. Some things I have seen work well that I would want to consider expanding are having clear designated drop-off and pick-up locations and having clearly marked crossing paths.

Studies show that childhood independence is critical for individual development. How can Chicago Public Schools better empower families to allow their children to be able to navigate independently – and most importantly, safely – to and from school?

I think CPS needs to partner with public transit leaders to improve the consistency and safety of our public transit for our kids.

Most CPS students are offered driver's education when the time comes, but few are given the opportunity to learn about alternatives. What kind of educational opportunities around transportation do you think students should have?

Students should have the chance to learn how to get around the city using public transportation, including CTA buses and trains. This could involve practical lessons on reading transit schedules, using apps to plan trips, and understanding how fare systems work, so they feel confident getting where they need to go.

For high schoolers interested in STEM or civic engagement, CPS could offer classes or workshops on urban planning and transportation. These would give students a behind-the-scenes look at how a city like Chicago is designed and how transportation decisions impact their daily lives and the future of their communities.

Increasingly, a lack of busing has become a serious burden for many families’ day-to-day lives as services continue to be cut. What are some short-term and long-term solutions that you think would address this?

We need to invest more in neighborhood schools. I support busing for all students, but ideally, students should have access to a high-quality public education in their own neighborhood, which is not the case right now.

For many years now, Chicago Public Schools has failed to meet federally mandated requirements for accessible transportation for students with disabilities. How do you envision ensuring that students with disabilities’ transportation needs are met?

We need more funding and incentives for people to become bus drivers with CPS. That's why I plan to use my experience as a policy advocate to advocate for a progressive revenue system and additional state funding for CPS.