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

One of the greatest challenges right now is the operation, expansion, and reliability of Chicago Transit Authority, CTA. I intend to work with the Council and the CTA to ensure expansion costs in particular are adequately shared, and that compensation and training of CTA employees slows the tide on troubled CTA retention. This is important because many 5th Ward residents rely on buses that sometimes do not show up, or do not show up on time.

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?

Yes, me and my family use a combination of methods to get around. I think barriers can be maintaining roads, and ensuring timely CTA schedules. My preference is a combination of transportation methods.

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

I paid more attention to CTA's leadership, budget, safety, and fares when it was my primary mode of transportation. I know firsthand on a snowy, winter night the CTA app can say a bus in on the way and scheduled to arrive and it never shows up. On a dark evening, in the cold winter air the importance of fixing the so called "ghost buses" becomes very real.

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 think finding a sustainable way to offer this to citizens is an important goal.

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 propose working with the local, state, and federal government to develop urban planning short and long term plans that account for the historic segregation promoted through urban planning.

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

It plays a big role. Working closely with agencies and engaged citizens already focused on the issue who have formulated solutions is a key focus of my campaign.

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 like the proposals to implement plans that favor bus only lanes and added green space on the lakefront. Done properly, I think Chicagoans will enjoy increased access to the lakefront with less congestion.

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 there is a need to identify funding for the necessary construction or improvements. I intend to work with City Council, the Governor, and state legislators to identify revenue streams and subsidies that allow the long-awaited street designs and investments to come to fruition.

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?

We have to creatively work within the terms of the deal to enact as much of the safe street designs as possible.

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 do think well placed speed bumps and tickets priced to deter speeding and not be overly punitive to the driver are ways to reduce driver speed and increase safer driving behavior.

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?

It depends on purpose of the ordinances. By and large, if such ordinances are to protect the environment, I would work with Ward representatives to support the ordinances that made sense from an environmental standpoint.

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

I would be amenable to exploring this.

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

I would be amenable to exploring this.

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

I remain a proponent of equitable oriented transit development plans. I believe there is a correlation between certain CTA routes and reliability. I also believe requiring the publishing of more accurate schedules would go a long way.

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?

Short of raising fares, I will work closely with the agencies and the Council to determine how the modernization of the fleet and changing to electric fleets might help curb costs in the long run.

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

I am amenable to exploring this.

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

Yes