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

I believe that safety on the CTA is our greatest current transportation challenge. If people don't feel safe getting to work, we must address their needs as an urgent priority. I will place peacekeepers on the trains, ensure our workers feel safe and valued, and deploy more efficient and frequent cleaning crews to CTA buses and trains.

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?

My family and I regularly use all of those methods to get across Chicago. We believe in seeing this wonderful city from every angle.

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

I've seen CTA trains used as public bathrooms, as places to use drugs, and as venues for violence. Seeing that has shaped our transit policy to a focus on clean, safe, and fast transit options for all Chicagoans.

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?

It is absolutely necessary, Chicago needs to be an accessible city for all people at all times of the year. We also need to focus on clearing the intersections, making sure that snow doesn't pile up, making it difficult for people to cross the street safely.

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?

Development of better transit and pedestrian infrastructure, stimulation of cross neighborhood economic growth and cooperation, and investment into urban planning that is centered on bringing us together.

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

Transportation definitely plays a role in Chicago's emissions, that is why efficient public transportation is so important. Providing safe, clean and accessible transportation will allow Chicagoans reliable and affordable transportation while simultaneously reducing the pollutants; creating better air quality for the citizen's of Chicago. As the only candidate promoting a citywide Green New Deal, I will tirelessly advocate for our collective responsibility to this planet.

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?

I support the current proposal.

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?

I believe we must lead with collaboration. Our partners at the state, and even federal level, must be valued members of the conversation. We can use our position as the business center of Illinois to put pressure on the state legislature, and by extension IDOT to to relent on problematic policies that hold us back.

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?

I will pursue a renegotiation of Daleys deal with the devil, using any and all available tactics. We must reverse this disastrous policy if we are ever to regain control of our own streets.

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?

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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 in deferring to our federal partners on these issues, while we focus on ensuring the streets themselves are safe.

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

I think we should ultimately have a discussion on the best manner to fund this necessary infrastructure, but at this time am not prepared to commit to a dedicated funding stream.

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

I have seen in other cities how limited pedestrian-only streets have facilitated the growth of thriving business corridors, and believe we should study and consider their effectiveness as we move forward with a comprehensive plan for streets in the city of Chicago.

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

Under a green administration there will be no more ghost buses. I will address our staffing crisis by ensuring drivers feel valued and are compensated fairly- including free community college.

We will hold CTA leadership accountable at all levels.

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?

We will expand funding for these agencies by working with our federal and state partners to open up avenues to grant money and investment. We will prioritize the CTA Metra and Pace to ensure sufficient funding WITHOUT raising fares.

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

I support it, developing these lines will aid in economic growth and cooperation across neighbors.

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

Yes