What do you believe are the greatest transportation challenges facing the City of Chicago right now?

Currently the greatest transportation challenge facing the City of Chicago is the delays and disruptions to CTA as well as the crime that now runs rampant on the CTA. We need to get to the route of what is causing so many disruptions and delays, and find a solution immediately. I am happy to work with CTA personnel to figure out the issue.

As for crime, we could start by having more officers work the stations, and bring back two conductors on each train. I think we need to be policing the little things, like smoking in cars, playing music on the stereo, etc. in order to show we will not tolerate the larger crimes. It seems that because there is so little oversight on the CTA right now, people feel they can do whatever they want which leads to smaller crimes just as much as violent crimes.

Do you or members of your family regularly use sidewalks, bike, take transit, drive, or a combination of any/all to get around? Does this correspond with your preferred/ideal modes of getting around? If not, what barriers do you and your family face in using your preferred mode of transportation?

For the most part we drive, though we would prefer to take the CTA to lower our carbon footprint. Currently, I feel unsafe to ride the CTA past a certain time, and it is an unreliable form of transportation.

Can you share a personal experience that changed your opinion about a transportation related policy matter?

I used to ride the CTA everywhere I could, but in the last couple of years I had to buy a car as the CTA became less and less of a viable option.

Chicago is a snowy city, and even one stretch of uncleared sidewalk can make it impassable – particularly for folks with disabilities, the elderly, and parents with young children. What is your position on implementing a universal city-wide sidewalk snow/ice removal service?

I would be very open to a pilot program for city-wide sidewalk snow/ice removal, and to assess from there as long as it is cost effective and covers all parts of the city equally.

It is now widely recognized and understood that interstate highways were used to physically divide urban communities from one another – often along racial and class lines. How do you propose we overcome these divisions to restore the urban fabric of Chicago and reconnect our segregated neighborhoods?

There is nothing we can do right now to move the existing infrastructure, so we need to get creative in connecting our communities. Some ideas that I think could work well are developing green space close to highways and building underpasses/overpasses to physically connect these communities.

What role do you believe transportation plays in Chicago’s collective greenhouse gas emissions, climate responsibility, and overall environmental health?

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment for future generations. In my role as chief of staff to the current alderman, Tom Tunney, I have worked closely with city leaders on transportation policy and understand the importance of investing in sustainable transportation options. This includes expanding public transit, encouraging the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, and implementing bike-sharing and bike lane programs. Additionally, promoting the use of public transportation options like buses and trains, can help reduce the number of cars on the road, which will in turn help reduce emissions.

I also believe that we must work to improve the overall environmental health of our community by encouraging the use of sustainable transportation options, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, bike-sharing and bike lane programs and investing in public transportation infrastructure.

What is your position on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s current proposals for rebuilding North DuSable Lake Shore Drive? Do you believe the proposed designs will reduce congestion, improve transit access and make pedestrians and cyclists safer? How do you think the current proposals will impact access to the lakefront?

[no response]

What barriers do you believe the Illinois Department of Transportation presents to Chicago pursuing better safe streets design standards and transit investments? How do you plan to work with City Council, the Governor, and State legislators to overcome these barriers?

IDOT controls the state highways and expressways, and they have sadly not been able to work with Lake Shore Drive to reduce driver speeds and noise-related issues. They also fund road repairs, which is a typically slow process. One way we can create safer streets is to reduce the state minimum speed limit, and that can be done through the Department of Transportation. I have strong relationships with our legislators and will use these relationships to advocate for safer streets.

The 99-year parking meter deal enacted by former Mayor Richard M. Daley has been a barrier to enacting safe street designs by privatizing large portions of Chicago’s streets. What is your plan to address this?

We have already worked to make modifications to this deal depending on the needs in our neighborhood. I will continue to work to find the best solutions for our ward.

Studies show us that speed and distracted driving kill. What do you think are the most effective ways to reduce driver speed and increase safe driving behavior?

I believe speed cameras, red light cameras, and other tools made to keep streets safer will prove to be effective ways to increase safe driving behavior.

What is your position on the City passing ordinances that attempt to regulate the size, weight, and/or safety features of personal and private vehicles?

I believe that we should be incentivizing smaller, safer, and more environmentally friendly private vehicles through offering rebates on EVs through the state, and enforcing existing ordinances like the no trucks on Lake Shore Drive ordinance.

What is your position on establishing a dedicated funding stream for safe and universal pedestrian and bike infrastructure in Chicago?

I am not in favor of a dedicated funding stream for safe and universal pedestrian and bike infrastructure, but instead believe we need to have a plan for the bike grid, walkable streets, raised crosswalks, and better support from the city on identifying and taking action on these issues.

What is your position on creating select pedestrian-only streets?

I am open to the idea, though the pilot in our neighborhood proved to be unsuccessful. In the 44th Ward we have seen a lot of success with expanded outdoor dining and closing certain streets to accommodate for that.

What policy solutions would you implement to ensure CTA buses operate on schedule, frequently, and quickly?

I would increase hiring and ensure that the tools we use to track our buses actually work. The city of Chicago does not regulate the CTA, so I would like to see more oversight from city council and civilians.

Considering the role the CTA, Metra, and Pace play in providing public transportation within the city, what are your plans to address the impending fiscal cliff – a deficit of over $700 million – that the agencies will be facing in 2025?

With half of our CTA budget coming from fares, we need to improve ridership by creating a cleaner, safer, and more reliable CTA.

What is your position on establishing a network of Bus Rapid Transit lines in Chicago?

I support it.

Will you commit to securing the funding necessary to implement CTA's plan to become 100% accessible according to ADA standards? (yes/no)

Yes