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: William Hall
Ward: 6th
Current job: Pastor St. James Community Church | UCAN Director of Faith and Community
Previous political experience: None
Education: Masters In Divinity (McCormick Theological Seminary) BS Economics (DePaul University)
Spouse’s occupation: N/A
Sources of outside income: Rental Property
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 an issue, concern, and it is paralyzing so many residents of the 6th Ward. First we can invest more in mental health resources in neighborhoods where violence is occurring, and neighborhood where criminals reside. Secondly, we need a community lead strategy that consist of working with residents, block clubs, community leaders, and violence intervention/prevention programs in a way that their suggestions are seen and implemented. Thirdly, year long jobs for youth, investing more in neighborhood park programs will help with keep young people active and a promising alternative to staying off the streets coupled with an honest financial alternative. Lastly, city lighting in neighborhoods is a problem, and dark streets is an attraction to dark acts of crimes.
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.
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Growing up taking the train at 87th, over the years I have witnessed the reduction of police officers assigned to transit, the Guardian Angels, and the removal of security dogs on the train. Those three elements gave riders some type of confidence that the ride would be safe. Also, every train had an engineer and a conductor. The absence of a conductor eliminated an extra set of eyes, and assistance if there was any criminal activity. Therefore, revamping the police detail and detectives assigned to public transit is a key step along with reinvesting in other security agencies to assist in the safety strategy. A safer public transit system can lead to more ridership.
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?
Dwindling enrollment is due largely in part to the exit of Chicago residents, which is not the sole responsibility of Chicago Public Schools. If we improve city services, reduce violence, provide quality jobs, and invest in local businesses, and upgrade school campuses, one can argue more people will move to Chicago and send their children to local public schools. There is nothing promising about living in a city and a neighborhood plagued with violence, no access to quality food, poor health care options, and no jobs. Unfortunately, those issues mentioned are present in the 6th Ward, which is one of the reasons that so many people are leaving the ward and even the city of Chicago.
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.
One idea that might reverse the disinvestment in South and West sides is a startup grant of $12,000 for 6 to 10 any new businesses in the ward. The purpose of the $12,000 is to pay for the rent or mortgage of any small business owner. In addition to the $12,000 grant, ever owner must complete a small business bootcamp in partnership with one of the major business schools. The $1,000 rent stipend and cohort support will provide owners with a well of resources and colleagues that can help further their business.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes.
A tax relief program that includes:
More time for residents to pay their taxes post deadline and prior to a tax sales.
Tax credits for beautification, and home improvement projects.
Residents with public service jobs include a tax credit.
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 were created to spur development in areas where they would not happen but for the use of TIF. Unfortunately, they have been used as a slush fund at the expense of local taxpayers. The program needs to be reformed so that the tax dollars that are being held are actually used as in investment in the areas that need them. Not for downtown development.
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?
The level of lead in Chicago water is dangerous and we need to increase the pace of lead pipes being replaced in homes, apartments buildings, and in Chicago Public Schools. The most feasible way is to invest more money, work closer with Washington DC for federal support, and limit the loop holds that place so much responsibilities on homeowners taking on the burden of paying for the replacement. If there is lead in the home, the city has to take the lead in removing this from the water supply. We watched what slow response and blame game tactics did in Flint, and to this day they still have yet to completely fix the water problem.
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.
What makes me qualified is my time working with various leaders in Chicago that also helped shaped America’s politics. Working with and for Rev.Jesse Jackson gave me exposure and insight on what it takes to build, work, and serve the people of Chicago. As a faith leader community issues are my issues, therefore, working alongside so many people to better the quality of life for all people, is my life’s work.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
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Safety is the pressing issue, and as previously stated, “we can invest more in mental health resources in neighborhoods where violence is occurring, and neighborhood where criminals reside. Secondly, we need a community lead strategy that consist of working with residents, block clubs, community leaders, and violence intervention/prevention programs in a way that their suggestions are seen and implemented”.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
20 out 38 years of my life have been dedicated to public service in the same ward while resting my head on the same block. I have seen every side of this ward, and have spent time understanding, serving, and building with my neighbors throughout the 6th Ward. We have to reimagine public safety in a way that includes the voices of residents, support for mental health services, and policing that is rooted in serving alongside the people in the ward. We can lower crime if we commit to investing in the people within the ward.
Education is the window to the world. Currently we are the home to world class scholars that need world class resources. Education equality that is rooted in policies that level the classroom playing field is an important building block for the next generation. We lost track of so many students in the pandemic, but with strong support from city council, I believe the scholars of the six ward will catch up and excel to new levels of academic excellence.
In concluding, as we look to the future, I look forward to lowering the home vacancies that we are witnessing in the ward. Walkable neighborhoods, good jobs, safe public transit, quality education options will bring the now and later generations to this ward. We have ways to go, but consistent presence, following through on my word, and keeping our community together through improved communication are a few things that I look forward to displaying on this campaign and hopefully as the next alderman of the 6th Ward.