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

The safety of passengers and transit workers is of major importance right now. There must be the will to protect the riders and staff of transit and right now, that will is missing from the City. The solution will be to reinforce security both on the bus and rail lines and the platforms, once again fully utilizing CTA Transit police. There must also be immediate and strong penalties for those who assault or harm passengers and staff. Finally, we have to secure permanent housing for those who are experiencing homelessness so the rail is not used as overnight housing. The City must also restore mental health clinics across Chicago to reduce the chance of additional incidents of violence due mental breaks.

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?

Violence in and around my neighborhood hinders our family's desire to take regular walks and cycle like we used to enjoy. I do take transit (bus and L) to work, but my family is very concerned when I do.

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

I was never a big fan of cameras until I began to see how they could be utilized to solve crime. I get it now and see them as a tool. The cameras on the train in particular seem to be extremely high-powered and detailed (if that's the correct word).

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 would be welcome. I know that other cities have not only programs to assist their residents in snow removal, they also have a program that clears the snow from the streets, one side at a time with what seems to be little to no fuss. Our city is driven by making money off residents by being as penalty driven as possible instead of being helpful.

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?

Highways in the Chicagoland area have contributed to the "breakdown of the urban fabric of Chicago" by displacing large swaths of inner-city families from their own property. I don't think the highways have done to us what they have done to other cities where you literally cannot access parts of a city without paying a toll or getting on the highway to cross into another neighborhood. When the Dan Ryan was reconfigured some years ago, reducing the number of exits, I thought that was the beginning of bad policy, but it didn't advance beyond those closures. Changing the affordability of neighborhoods, increasing the appalling level of bank lending for Black people to own homes... these are ways to end segregation. Rebuilding poorer communities to have investment and resources will help put everyone on more equal footing.

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

I think there has been an effort to reduce gas emissions by introducing new technology on buses; public transportation has always lessened the amount of cars on the road; many people have made a commitment to bike when they can, so the more options people can realistically take advantage of, the healthier we will be as a City. Violence in Black neighborhoods, however is reducing some of those options.

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 think the public should continue to be included in on the proposals, as we know there is tremendous traffic on this drive at times. A lot more information is needed just as when the south LSD was changed decades ago.

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?

The south and west sides must be prioritized. We're still discussing whether to extend the red line for true Chicagoans to access the rest of the city with ease, while northern suburbs have had access to the City all along. That concept should be outrageous, but here we are. I want to see the convenience of residents living in south and west side communities become as important to elected officials as the convenience of those in the central business district and tourists. I will fight for my residents, making sure their voices are heard.

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?

It's a legally binding agreement but I dung know if any effort has been made to get out of the contract. If it's impossible, we have to find ways to minimize its financial impact on residents, especially increases in fees.

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?

Flat speed bumps will modify behavior where stop signs do not.

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 need to know the intent behind the ordinance in question.

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

I don't have an issue with it but first I want it to be safe enough in my community for Black people to take advantage of this infrastructure.

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

If planned correctly, this could be good. I do know some people upset with the closures on Clark near Maggiano's.

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

Ensure the routes are truly synced with GPS so the schedule makes sense to the rider Hire more drivers to have the routes necessary to handle the passengers and take the stress off the operators.

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?

I'm sure much of this deficit is due to Covid-19. We have to find out why -beyond Covid-19- the industry is bleeding money to this degree. Once we identify the causes, we can find the appropriate solutions. That deficit, however is not going away in one year.

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

It's very expensive to get going. It will make more people not want to drive due to the reduction in lanes.

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

Yes