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

I think the inefficiencies of our CTA system is the greatest challenge and to combat them I think we need to ensure that the CTA prioritizes ridership. While giving the CTA the mandate of prioritizing ridership wouldn’t fix everything overnight, it would start to make significant changes at the margin. A CTA that was constantly trying to make pro-ridership decisions would eventually make some great decisions and the ridership of our CTA would begin a positive cycle of increased ridership. As more ridership brings more funds to increase the attractiveness of ridership even further.

This increased ridership viewpoint may lead us to fewer bus stops or less fancy L stops, but if we are increasing our ridership our goal is being achieved. This will also allow us to build faster and cheaper which will make projects that were once not feasible, actually possible. In Alon Levy’s project discussing why New York’s 2nd Avenue subway project was so costly, in one instance he found “MTA decided to mine two of the project’s three stations, instead of opening up Second Avenue to build cut-and-cover digs. Mined stations cost extra, according to people we’ve spoken to at a number of agencies; in New York, the best benchmark is that these two stations cost the same as cut-and-cover 96th Street, a nearly 50% longer dig.”

If we continue to task CTA with a myriad of different priorities, it will continue to underproduce the transit system that Chicago needs. By prioritizing ridership, we will decrease cost, strengthen the transit network and bring the economic and environmental benefits that Chicagoans deserve.

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 preferred mode of transportation is biking or walking.

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

How often I have seen delivery trucks parking in bike lanes has made me prioritize ways to automatically ticket those abusing the bike lanes and putting the safety of bikers at risk.

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 that communities need to come together to help their neighbors with snow removal of city sidewalks. In the time of tough budgets I cannot commit to a citywide snow removal program but am open to options to help those with disabilities get clean sidewalks and avoid penalties.

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?

Chicago is one of the most segregated cities in America and we need to work to reverse the failed policies of the past. In addition to increasing the effectiveness of our transit system, I think we need to approve more affordable housing across the city so that all Chicagoans have the ability to live close to job centers.

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

A well functioning transit system is key to our battle against climate change. The more people we can convince to choose the CTA over their car the better off we are.

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 will work to ensure that the safety of cyclists and pedestrians is a top priority in any changes to North DuSable Lake Shore Drive. As a frequent Divvy rider (top 1%) I utilize the lakefront often and will ensure that Chicagoans can continue to enjoy one of my favorite things about living in Chicago.

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 will work with the Governor and State legislators to ensure that the CTA receives adequate funding and that we move its mandate to prioritize ridership.

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 would be eager to pursue any avenues in which we can get out of the disastrous 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?

I think automated enforcement of speed limits is key. But we should not try to make these penalties so high as they often fall on those that can least afford them. I would prefer smaller penalties but to increase the amount of cameras. Our goal should not be sparse enforcement and high fees but vast enforcement and low fees, this will incentivize better 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?

I do not think changes need to be made in this regard.

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

I’d be open to looking at proposals for this funding stream.

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

I have seen other cities do great things with pedestrian-only streets and am eager to find opportunities to do the same here in Chicago.

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

Consolidate bus lines along the recommendations of Alon Levy to ensure a better performing bus system that prioritizes ridership.

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 believe we are going to need help from the governor and the state legislature to fix the funding deficits of our public transportation.

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

I think a highly efficient bus system is integral to igniting economic growth in Chicago and Bus Rapid Transit lines would be a part of that.

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

Yes