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

A public transit system lacking investment and suffering from service issues, a transportation infrastructure plan that is lagging behind on the changes needed to support a city of our size in meeting our constituents needs and planning for the future.

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?

Sidewalks, transit, drive, sometimes recreational biking. I really like living in a place where we can walk to most places or easily catch transit to get to further places.

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

I live in an area that offers many active tranportation options, but I've worked in neighborhoods with far fewer options and had jobs located in places where I couldn't rely on transit. There are many gaps in our transit network that Chicagoans in many places experience that hold us back from more adoption of active transit practices.

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’m in support of it.

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?

I'm not sure, this is not an area of policy that I have experience in and not one we've addressed at the City level. I do think that the planning for transit infrastructure should have this issue at its center.

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

It's a key component in reducing our emissions and improving health outcomes for our current and future residents.

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'm supportive of the dedicated bus lanes and believe it will improve the transit experience and better regulate traffic on DLSD.

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's unwillingness to allow CDOT to make changes to their streets has historically left residents and alderpersons with few to no options at improving safety and transit experiences on some of busiest streets. Here in the 49th Ward that includes Sheridan and Ridge, two of our most dangerous streets that also have a great need for redesign.

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'm supportive of us trying to get out of the deal. It not only precludes many transit reforms, but there are other things it hinders from community use of the streets for festivals and events to piloting infrastructure innovations like e-charging stations. It's a terrible thing to be saddled with for so long.

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 think we should work with the Secretary of State to have more regular driver testing and screening. Driver education and behavior need to be addressed. It's a big problem that there isn't' ongoing driver education and certification. Traffic rules change, transit modes change, but I'm still driving on the license I earned with a test back in 2003 when I first came to Illinois. I'm a safe driver who takes a lot of care to pay attention, some of that is because the mode of transit I use more than driving is walking. As a pedestrian, I'm more vulnerable and pay a lot of attention to dangerous areas. This makes me a better driver in knowing the pedestrian experience. Chicago can lower speed limits, add more speed cameras and use enforcement to try and govern behavior, but in order for real change, we also need a culture change supported by education and incentives.

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'm not sure what this is referring to but would be happy to learn more.

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

I'd support this.

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

I'd support this. We have two streets closed down as pedestrian plazas as part of the city's Alfresco pilot program. It's only for three years at this point, but the benefit to the community has been very positive as it has created more spaces for community programming.

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

I’ll continue to be a vocal advocate of communicating these expectations to CTA as well as supporting CDOT in their policy and budget requests that facilitate this transformation.

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?

By pushing for accountability from CTA leadership to come up with a plan and advocating for State and Federal funding to invest in our system and help cover the gap.By pushing for accountability from CTA leadership to come up with a plan and advocating for State and Federal funding to invest in our system and help cover the gap.

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

It sounds great, I'd 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