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: Esteban Burgoa Ontañon
Ward: 31st
Current job: E. Burgoa & Associates Real Estate/ cleaning services
Previous political experience: Local School Council 10 years between High School and Grammar Scjools, Chairman ISAC to the State legislature. Illinois Student Advisory Committee of Higher Education, City Colleges of Chicago, Chairman of Student Government.
Education: Maximum education 2 years of college.
Spouse’s occupation: Not answered
Sources of outside income: Self employed work
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.
Technology can help the police departments prevent more crimes. We need to provide the tools to guard and secure violent areas. Such was the case with The violent disturbances as result of Floyd killing. The community needs to get involved and do their part as well, many times they are afraid to speak up and ignore the gang activity due to criminal reprisals. We need more policeman, I had talked to retired policemen and ask them. ¿What you think is the solution to our city problems? One of the reason many shootings happened in our city is due to ilegal activity of guns in the wrong hands. I intent as a future Alderman use my military expertise to protect and defend our city by working with the police department and community. I will introduce a bill to prohibit guns in bars. Alcohol and guns don’t go together, add chimical sustence and we have a ticking bomb.
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.
Many times riders fall victim to thieves. There are bad people out there who want things the east way. And don’t t care to kill someone. Higher jail sentence and fines against those who touch a CTA rider. More police present will deter criminals. This will be a public policy change if approve by the city council once elected alderman. We have an old infrastructure that needs to be upgraded and modernized. Nowadays all you hear is the city budget does not allowed. We need to find ways to raise the bar in public transportation. I hope my experience in the logistics field and as former truck driver can have an input in city hall to make things better for CTA riders. We need more electric buses and modern equipment to lower cost of fuel and save money to riders and taxpayers.
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?
Chicago has become an expensive city for most poor and some middle class people on fixed income consequently people move out in search of lower rents to other parts of the country. CPS and City Hall need to stop playing politics and put their money where their mouth is. Many empty promises and none deliver. One example in the 80’s The lottery was introduced as a savior for education But we continue to fail and take money away from education. Rahm Emmanuel closed 50 schools to cut the expenses as result and lock of education crime went up in these areas. Many residents are fed up and giving up in our public education system. I hope my ideas and experience that I gain as a Local School Council allowed me to contribute and change the way our school system is failing to a more futuristic future that brings students to school and not drop out.
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 need to work with the local residents and ask them how do you do see yourself in these blind areas or your children future. How can we change the environment where they live. How can we help you? TIF was created to help those in need in blind areas unfortunately billions of dollars go the wrong way depleting of resources the areas they were intended to help. Perhaps we need to bring job training, bring more jobs by inviting companies to branch out or open a new manufacturing company in these blind areas. Many times people overlook the potential of available labor and lower cost to rent or buy in these neighborhoods. Economical development is one of my business plan to help those in need. We just need to bundle a package of ideas and sell it nation wide or around the world to bring in investment to turn around the communities. If we could do this I bet you crime will go down as well.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Property owners had been over asses and over tax by the Former Joe Berrios cook county tax assessor. Causing families on fixed income to fall behind their mortgages or fall into foreclosure. Property owners just need to pay their fair share but not overcharge them. Relief should be given to a person in hardship as the result of Covid 19 due to people not working. This is a hot topic to be address with numbers and facts from city hall and the homeowners. Finding solutions as a future alderman we need to evaluate what work best with out putting the city in more debt that cost millions in interest when the city borrowed money.
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 money should be use in the blinds areas this was the intention to revive them but as we all know nowadays the money goes the wrong way. These fund are generated with our tax dollars and the Mayor has a grip on the purse. More Alderman should have an input as to where the money should go. We need to think in a better way to reinvest these resources in the blind areas where the help is needed. Money is the rule of all evil if invested away from those intended to help. I will have my input and work with those alderman and the Mayor to put resources where is needed the most to turn around a community.
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 best time will be April to November. Lead contamination is a big issues since it affects children under the age of 14. Money is the issue in our city when you need something done. Most of the time you will hear we don’t have the funds to do it today. We need to ask the state and federal government to pitch in and help for the sake of our minors kids. Lead pipes is a hazardous health issue that causes mental retardation in our children.
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 am a war veteran, businessman, Activists. I had been thru the ringer in my life time and Learn how to care, defend and protect others. I am not running for office because I need a job or money. I am running for office to end the political monopoly of Joe Berrios in our community. The man continues to run the 31st war via the incumbent and god child Felix Cardona Jr. Corruption, harrasment, nepotism, bribes, will not be accepted in our ward. I am running to make a better future for the community with a futuristic vision of technology. In the field of housing, transportation, police security, and city services. And job creations. Make the ward more green and less waste. My salary will be donated back to the community. I do not take any outside patronage nor donations. I am self funded. I had volunteer to make a difference in people’s lives in the past, and will continue to be a volunteer to help those in need.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Property taxes, crime, affordable housing and jobs. Property owners need to take advantage of the appeal process to lower their property taxes. Most of the time they don’t know what it is or how to do it. Many of our residents are Hispanics and don’t speak Nor wright English. We need to inform them, explain and educate how to do the tax appeal. Hope to build some affordable housing to enhance the community and bring hope to those working in low wage jobs. The homeless will have an opportunity to change their lives to better themselves and have a roof over their head. Crime, provide the tools via information, technology, police, community involvement and education. We need to prevent crime before it happens. It is our responsibility to be a civil society.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
I am a resident, Veteran and Activists of this community who knows his community, for 3 decades our community has been run by the wrong people like Joe Berrios and Feliz Cardona Jr. I called this political monopoly. These people has been a disgrace to homeowners, residents, seniors and businesses by intimidation and kickbacks under the table and over taxing homeowners. It is time to finish their cloud over our ward and finished their corruption and nepotism. I bring life experience from different walks of life, the community has spoken thru the years and trust me with their needs. Our seniors need safer streets and help to move them around with their groceries or visits to the Doctor. This service will be provided free of charge. Children need safer parks and opportunities to play sports for discipline, physical and mental Development. After school programs to aid them with home work. We will provide the area and the environment for them for free by working with non for profit organizations. Child care facilities are needed for single moms who need to work to support their kids. Will work with the chamber of commerce and faith organizations to make it happen. The homeless will have an opportunity to turn their lives around and make them proficient to afford a roof and feed themselves. Food drive, Toy Drive, health fairs, farmers market, business incubators and workshops to teach, educate and learn will be part of our curriculum as a future alderman. I will make the voters proud with new ideas and innovations for the future to make the ward a world class neighborhood to serve as an example to the rest of the city. Our ward needs someone with brains who knows the pain and suffering of those in need. Teach a man how to fish and will never go hungry. Our city can only change the bad habits by having out citizen get involved morally and not for what they can get out it. Esteban Burgoa Ontañon for alderman 31st ward.