To inform voters and to help the baiduhai Editorial Board make endorsements, the board posed a series of questions to the candidates running for alderman. See their answers below. See how other candidates answered here.
Name: Anthony A. Beale
Ward: 9th
Current job: Alderman
Previous political experience: 20 years of elected office
Education: Corliss High School Blackburn College
Spouse’s occupation: Auditor at Chicago Housing Authority
Sources of outside income: None
The rise in violent crime remains a top priority for City Hall. Homicides, shootings and carjackings are all unacceptably high. Tell us how city government can be innovative in combating crime, and explain what measures you would propose if elected.
Fully fund the police restore the 1200 positions now unfilled reinstitute real community policing which is more that police just responding to incidents, but knowing and interacting with community as we have proposed and provided funding for a “Cop House” as modeled in Racine Wisconsin and elsewhere; revive real community policing and block clubs; fund youth activities like Pullman Community Center or mentoring and youth activities, and most important grow the economy with real jobs. and take care of the mental health of the police with real scheduling, days off and support.
The CTA, one of the nation’s largest transit systems, remains a troubled agency grappling with issues ranging from violent crime and ghost buses and trains, to flagging ridership. Give us your thoughts on what specific measures CTA should take to make train and bus service safer, more reliable and more equitable for Chicagoans.
First of all be accountable to the alderpersons and the communities we represent which are, of course, the client base or the CTA. Modernize the CTA, use cameras to catch muggers and attackers (rather than use them to simply ensnare motorists to fill city coffers) ;and of course we must have personnel monitoring the cameras in a preventative strategy. restore full CTA police presence on most known troubled spot. DO better job cleaning cars so more respect of passengers and property. And, of course, we need to ensure that the long-promised extension of the red line actually happens.
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Ten years ago, enrollment at Chicago Public Schools was 403,000 students. In September, enrollment stood at 322,000 students. Enrollment at CPS has dropped for 11 consecutive years. What specific measures should CPS undertake to reverse the trend of ever-dwindling enrollment?
People leave because of crime, safety and a failing education system. We need to redensify neighborhoods, create more jobs, ensure in school and street safety, improve education and create more parent/community engagement by creating strong neighborhood schools.
Collaborate with CTU and principals to hear and understand their perspective. Do multi-language communications with parents (more than 60 languages spoken in schools but CP only speaks in one)…Normalize relations with unions and schools so all feel confident in continuity – ensure that schools are safe – not simply with metal detectors (if needed) but with nurses and social workers. Need to change environment from mini-prisions to welcoming places of exploration.
Disinvestment on the South and West sides is a decades-long problem with myriad causes. Give us at least one innovative idea that you believe could play a role in reversing South and West side disinvestment, and explain why the idea is realistic and feasible.
We have added 6 industrial places, three restaurants, one Walmart anchored shopping mall and 2000 jobs in pullman (as well as a national park, etc). WHat it takes is a plan that builds on the assets of the community as we are now doing with the Medical Center Plan. Redevelopment is not a “building”. Redevelopment requires – an understanding of a community’s asserts, (the things that you can build on). an organization willing to think and act on plans (in pullman we have a few) a partner in City Hall or the State willing to invest – and a coherent plan to present to would-be, should be investors. It’s not one shot and done. In our case we started Pullman Park in 2010 and did not reach 2000 jobs and all the new Whole Foods and SC Johnson Distribution or Amazon or Gotham Greens for another 7 or nine years. Patient leadership; patient investment
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
What we need to do is to grow the economy so that the burden of taxes is shared by more. That also means getting the 80,000 (or so it is said) ‘dead properties back into the mix – reclaimed for use as housing . The land bank and the city should be doing this….but you can’t think small. Must think big and accomplish pension reform by working to institute a 401 program if that is possible. In truth, we should be like New York and operate on the basis of income taxes, which vary as peoples circumstances do rather than property taxes that, because they do not allow for changes in income, too often cause hardship and home loss.
Give us your take on the city’s use of tax increment financing districts. Do you feel they have been useful, or do you feel that the problems associated with them outweigh their usefulness? What if any reforms would you want to apply to the city’s usage of TIFs?
TIF districts are essential. All of pullman 500 million investment was kick-started with a small TIF Investment. The city has few other tools and none as flexible as the TIF. and it’s most important use is as an investment tool, not plugging holes in the budget. If we use it properly to grow the economy then we ill generate enough revenue for other things, including education The reform would be to see that all who get TIF money pay living wages. However, it will be best that communities do as we did in Pullman – and make use of TIF funds part of a comprehensive community plan
Lead in drinking water is a major health concern for the city. It is estimated that in Chicago there are roughly 400,000 homes and small apartment buildings with lead service lines. So far, the city has replaced less than 300 lead service lines. Do you feel the pace of lead service line replacement should be expedited, and if yes, what is the best, most feasible way to accomplish that?
It has not been sufficient – and as has been true of much lately – made for a good press announcement but not much more. The city also share costs with those can afford and institute a sliding scale program. Additionally, rather than limit those working on it to City employees, private contractors should also be employed for efficiency (and job creation)
If you are an incumbent, please explain what is it about your service on the City Council that makes you most qualified for the job. If you have never served on the council, please explain what is it about your background that makes you most qualified.
24 years of proven results. …2000 new jobs, the National Monument (now national park) the movement of Whole Foods distribution to Pullman, the renovation of the award-winning Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep, the winning of the first Amazon hub (with all electric cars) three black owned thriving restaurants; including Culvers and Lexington Betty; the new SC Johnson distribution Center, the attraction of Method and Gotham Green to Chicago and their growth here……. The execution of the community plan created in 2008 In cencert with local organizations – In other words a history of commitment and accomplishment
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
There are actually two issues: jobs, and safety – We are always working for more jobs, our latest effort being the new recently state funded Medical Center Plan On safety, we continue to work working with Police to create a “community/police house” based on the one in Racine Wisconsin (delayed only be the current administration to allow it despite the fact that the funding has already been provide. In addition we have a robust relationship with our local police team which tries as we do to quell and tamp down on the gang violence that has intensified over the recent past.
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Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
I have a proven track record of creating a vision and implementing it ( a vision of renewal and community involvement that propelled me to run for office) – my opponent has none.