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

Our greatest transportation challenge in Chicago is to reduce our dependence on cars. Recently, a report was published that shows that the average Chicago-area driver spent over 155 hours in traffic in 2022; this puts us in the top spot in North America and second in the world. Not only does this waste time, but it is a detriment to the environment, our health, and our infrastructure. One way to curb our dependence on cars is to work with CTA leadership to ensure we have safe, reliable service. Chicago is a world-class city and residents and visitors deserve a world-class transit system. I have worked on projects to expand service, have shown the economic benefit to expanding service which was used to lobby for more capital funding, and, as Alderman, I will continue to advocate for expanding CTA service. Another solution is to invest in our neighborhoods to make them more pedestrian-, bike-, and transit-friendly. As Alderman, I will support existing 30th Ward small businesses and attract new businesses to fill the vacant storefronts so residents can get the goods and services they need without depending on a car.

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 is a one-car family and we rely heavily on our sidewalks and public transit system. My wife uses the car to drop off/pick up our kids and to travel to work. I, almost exclusively, use CTA and walk to get to work and to run errands. We would prefer to use the car less, which is why I would advocate for continued capital infrastructure funding to expand CTA service.

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

During my time in Diversity Programs at the CTA, I have seen numerous small, minority-and-women-owned businesses benefit from investments in transit. This has shown me that investing in transit not only benefits the residents served by the service, but also helps create generational wealth in historically underserved communities. I will continue to use my voice to advocate for more investment in transit to create contracting and job opportunities for underrepresented communities.

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 fully support implementing a universal city-wide sidewalk snow/ice removal service. Other cities in North America have similar programs that we could model here in Chicago. Ensuring that our sidewalks are accessible to all residents needs to be a top priority for the City.

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?

The City needs to use the State Capital Plan and the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act dollars to invest in historically disinvested communities by ensuring that they have access to the physical infrastructure needed to create economic development and generational wealth.

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

Climate change is affecting residents’ day-to-day lives through the air they breathe and the unprecedented weather events. As Alderman, I will advocate for policies that reduce our dependence on carbon such as increasing the ability to shop local, improved access to transit, increased incentives for solar panels, and advocating for more public electric vehicle charging stations.

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 have reviewed the 5 different plans initially proposed by IDOT and I support The Exchange model because it prioritizes transit, preserves green space, and doesn't create an inequitable transportation option.

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?

As Alderman, I will use my expertise in government and coalition building to work across units of government to create solutions for safe streets and transit investments. One example is the underpass at Irving Park and Pulaski where there is regularly so much pigeon excrement that it becomes a safety hazard to travel through. I will work with the elected officials from my fellow Alders, to County Commissioners, to State Legislators in order to find and implement a solution.

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?

Unfortunately, we are locked into a 99-year agreement that I disagreed with and would not have voted for. I will work with the City’s Law Department to find creative solutions that are within the bounds of the agreement to create safer street designs.

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?

We can reduce driver speed through a combination of rule changes and an educational campaign. Immediate steps we should take is to reduce speed limits on our arterial streets and ensure there are speed bumps around parks and schools. We also need to engage with the community to identify where we need to create safer passages for pedestrians using bump outs, signaling, and other solutions.

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 am supportive of passing measures that push vehicle manufacturers to produce safer, more environmentally-friendly vehicles.

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

I would support establishing a dedicated funding stream for safe and universal pedestrian and bike infrastructure in Chicago by leveraging the capital investment dollars in the State Capital Program and the bi-partisan infrastructure law.

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

I would support funding studies that would engage with the community and identify opportunities to convert pedestrian-only streets to create a more connected community within the neighborhoods.

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

I will work with CTA leadership to ensure that they are aggressively recruiting to fill their vacant positions and provide service that matches their schedules. I will also work with CTA and CDOT to look for opportunities to create bus priority zones within the 30th Ward to encourage more residents to use the system.

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?

As Alderman, I will advocate for the State to update the formula funding for our public transportation system in Northeast Illinois. The pandemic showed us that investing in public transportation is a matter of equity to ensure that working-class families have the ability to go to work, school, grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, the pharmacy, and parks. We need to ensure that this system is fully funded to continue to provide the service levels that our residents deserve.

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

I fully support leveraging infrastructure investments and technology to establish a network of Bus Rapid Transit lines in Chicago.

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

Yes