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

We are too car centric. We do not have enough of a focus on biking, walking and public transportation. Ridership is declining on CTA due to safety concerns, unsanitary conditions and increased unpredictability for arrival times of buses. In addition our streets are not safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. As Alderwoman I would work to create safer streets and strengthen our public transit systems so we do not have to solely rely on cars in Chicago.

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?

We use a combination of all, however, I do not feel safe cycling on city streets at this time. When I bike I use the lakefront path.

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

I have completed four triathlons yet I do not feel safe riding on our city streets due to lack of protections for cyclists.

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 understand the importance of this issue and I am interested in exploring this idea further but have concerns about the city being able to accomplish this.

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?

Another clear division in our city is economic - the historic disinvestment in neighbors in Chicago takes away educational and job opportunities. We need to deal with the inequities in investment to reconnect our neighborhoods.

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

Public transportation is an essential piece of protecting our climate. In our region alone, public transit saves more than 6.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses from entering our atmosphere. We can make an even greater impact by moving toward electric buses.

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 am opposed to current drafts for Redefine the Drive. Making DuSable Lake Shore Drive more convenient and expeditious for drivers will lead to induced demand and even more cars on the road. We need to focus on improving options to speed up public transit, such as bus only lanes, to reduce the number of cars on the road instead of focusing on reducing travel times for cars.

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 think that IDOT, like many government agencies and entities, are too siloed and do not engage enough with those using their roads and services. I would work with the state to demand closer communications and input from residents to ensure that any new designs or investments truly match the needs of the community.

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 am not (and was not) in favor of privatizing large portions of our streets. However I cannot speak to my plan to address this until I understand the legalities of our contract on the parking meter deal.

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?

Drivers need to get off their phones and start paying attention to the road. This would require a large scale PR effort to allow motorists to truly understand the danger of their actions while driving.

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 would like to work with coalition partners to better understand which regulations need to take place in this area.

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

We should use revenues from moving violations to fund this.

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

I am in support where appropriate.

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

We need to hold the CTA accountable for the declines in their service. We also need to expand recruitment efforts for CTA employees and provide hiring incentives when necessary in hard to fill roles.

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 will use my relationships at the federal and state level to help secure funding to fill the deficit.

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

I am in support

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

Yes