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: Ebony Lucas
Ward: 4th
Current job: Attorney, The Closing Firm, LLC
Previous political experience: King College Prep, Local School Council; Mandrake Park Advisory Council, President
Education: University of Michigan, BS, Elementary Education; Case Western Reserve University Master’s in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management; University of Michigan Juris Doctorate
Spouse’s occupation: Electrician
Sources of outside income: N/A
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.
Crime is not a disease, it is a symptom. We have to address crime by addressing all of the underlying issues. As a community member, I have I created partnerships with local businesses to bring financial literacy and culinary arts programs to students. I met with the Labor Brothers United and Obama Center representatives about introducing labor opportunities to youth. I also recruited over 100 volunteers to host activities in Hyde Park for Chicago teens.
As Alderperson, I want to host listening sessions with the community to understand the businesses and resources available in the community to further extend strategic partnerships for collaboration between parks, local business, community, and nonprofit organizations for stronger youth development programs to supplement schools.
I worked with Concerned Citizens of Bronzeville to close problem businesses/ liquor stores in the ward that served as drug fronts. Some of those busineses have been closed for over 10 years now, and no new business has replaced them. As Alderperson I plan to work wtih the commercial property owners to identify and incentivized quality businesses, which creates jobs and a more vibrant community.
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In addition, we need to incorporate policing in the neighborhoods, beyond National Night Out, with expanding programming that includes police as an integrative part of the neighborhood- on foot, bicycles, with ears to the ground so that they can identify and be more responsive to, community issues.
Finally, City Council cannot ignore the need for mental health support. We must provide funding directly targeted at providing access to mental health services, regardless of age or health insurance. We also need to take advantage of 988 or a similar mental health services hotline to provide support during mental health crisis.
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.
I have participated in effective meetings between community and CTA to increase bus routes in the 4th Ward. CTA can increase and improve communication between the Alderperson and the community to address transportation and accessibility issues as needed. CTA should host town hall meetings to understand the issues and work with the Aldermanic offices to improve lighting, benches, shelters, improve accessibility and install cameras at bus and train stops.
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?
As a former local school council member and CPS parent, I can attest the need for increased and improved access to programming that will ignite students interests, passions, and talents. I hosted an On the Table with over 150 CPS students and assisted them with drafting a Memo to the Mayor about career exploration, safe youth events, and exposure to employment opportunities. It is important to hear the voices of the youth and incorporate strategic partnerships with community to improve neighborhood schools with equitable services, supplies, and exposure as a focus.
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.
There is a strong need for more business incubators, shared kitchen, and pop up business opportunities to allow local small businesses a starting point and a place to grow before having their own commercial space in order to improve the longevity and success of small businesses.
We need to increase access to alternative housing, such as use of abandoned schools, allowable use of tiny homes and building on smaller lots, and expand use of accessible dwelling units to address affordable housing.
Both of these ideas are realistic and feasible because of the numbers of abandoned and under- used structures in south and west side neighborhoods, including schools, warehouses, and commercial spaces that can be converted and re- used to spur business and housing. The Alderperson has the ability to provide usage of the abandoned schools for re- purposing and to develop relationships with property owners to encourage and support usage of abandoned properties in a manner that benefits the community.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
The 2021 tax bills were not delivered to tax payers until November 15, 2022 (3 months late) and were required to be paid by December 31st during holiday time. A second bill is scheduled to be due in March 2023. With such a short time between the bills, this is certain to cause a major burden on property owners, particularly seniors, who may no longer be paying their taxes through a mortgage company. The continuous increase in property taxes is also passed down to tenants and impacts rents. Despite these issues, there are currently no payment plans for property taxes.
While property taxes are important to fund city services and schools, as Alderperson, I am also cognizant of the balance between provision of city services and maintenance of affordable housing. I plan to review the budget thoroughly and to speak up about inefficiencies, look for other streams of revenue, to avoid continuous increases in property taxes. The city should establish a system by which owner occupants can pay delinquent taxes on a payment plan and work collaboratively with the county to increase the length of time for sales of delinquent property taxes for owner occupied homes.
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?
TIFs have been useful when used as a tool to spur development that could not otherwise happen, such as the Invest South/ West program. It has also been a tool to assist small, local businesses. At the same time, the program has lacked transparency and redirected funds that are needed for the schools. I support more exposure, education, and opportunities to helps local, small businesses. The award of funds needs to be explicitly spelled out so that the public is aware of the decision making process. In addition, any TIF surpluses should automatically be directed to the Chicago Public Schools. There should also be a component of community participation where residents have an opportunity to review funding requests and have a voice in the decision making process.
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?
I have spoken with representatives from the labor unions regarding this issue and am aware of the concerns regarding funding and labor force. There needs to be a partnership with unions and contractors to increase training and hiring programs and ensure that available jobs are filled and that we have the labor force to perform the work. This creates an opportunity for partnerships with schools to expose this opportunity to students and create mentorships for post- graduation jobs.
In addition we need to organize the work based upon priority so that there is a focus on replacement of pipes for day care centers (including home day cares), schools, low income housing, and those areas on the south and west sides of the city that are disproportionately impacted. While the work is being performed the city should continue to distribute water filters to limit the lead exposure.
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.
I started my career as a teacher and after obtaining a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management, and working for a women’s literacy program, I earned a Juris Doctorate at University of Michigan. I have worked in non- profit, corporate, and small business settings.
I have remained an engaged community member, fighting with Concerned Citizens of Bronzeville to close businesses that served as drug fronts and working with the GAP Community Organization to hold business owners accountable for quality, safe operations. I was president of Mandrake Park Advisory Council, and I was elected to the King College Prep Local School Council. I started my block club and have helped several others block club formation. I also received a grant and implemented a community garden. I planned safe activities in Hyde Park for youth on Halloween and recruited over 100 volunteers to reduce violence and police interaction.
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I have taken the time to understand the ward and to work on issues and causes throughout the ward from South Loop to Hyde Park. I understand the diverse needs of the Ward and have the experience with development, managing multi- million dollar budgets, listening and addressing the diverse needs of constituents.
As an attorney, my background gives me a strong basis in collaboration, understanding both sides of an issue, and learning to compromise and reach agreement, which will be an asset to city council. I have proven to be a fierce advocate for my clients, speaking up against injustices and developing solutions.
My broad experiences make me the most qualified to build strategic partnerships and work collectively with City Council to address the disparities in the 4th Ward and in Chicago, create opportunities for youth development, address public safety, and ensure that resources are equitably distributed.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Equity in services- There are 5 high schools in the 4th Ward, 3 are selected enrollment and 2 are under- resourced. The South Loop and Hyde Park have heavy investment, while the Michael Reese project and other development in the Bronzeville area of the Ward has remained stagnant. Education and development create vibrant neighborhoods and are the keys to addressing crime. As our ward grows, we need to ensure that services streets, sanitation, distribution of menu money, includes collaboration with residents, business owners, churches, community organizations, schools, and parks to address the diverse needs of the entire Ward from Hyde Park to the South Loop and improve quality of life.
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 using my knowledge and experiences in education, law, finance, and as a mom to show up for 4th Ward residents. I am collaborative and resourceful, and I understand the job of the Alderperson to provide equitable services to residents and to build alliances in City Council to help Chicago remain a world class city.
This is my third time running for Alderperson. I have shown commitment to the 4th Ward, running for one office, and continuing to work in the Ward providing services, improving housing, businesses, schools, and quality of life in the 4th Ward even before being elected. My unique educational, career, and personal experiences will make me an asset as 4th Ward Alderperson.