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: Tavares Briggs
Ward: 6th
Current job: Dean of Students/Admin- LEARN Charter Network
Previous political experience: U.S. 7th Congressional District Legislative Education Committee Member (2016-2021) U.S. 7th Congressional District Multi-Ethical Advisory Committee Member (2016-2021) Chicago Urban League Metropolitan Board Member (Fundraising Chairman) (2020-2021) Chicago Scholars Associate Board Member/Civic Engagement committee (2020-2021) Chicago Public Schools Local School Council (Community Representative Elected) Illinois House 10th District Campaign Chairman Illinos Young Democrats Member United Working Families Legislative/Policy committee member
Education: DePaul University
Spouse’s occupation: Elementary School Principal
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.
Crime- Solving crime is a nationwide/city wide problem that many levels of government have a task of addressing. I will fight for the implementation of an ordinance that adds an additional penalty for crimes committed elderly and children. I would also fight to expand the safe passage program because having a community presence is important. Many elected officials talk about gun control and limiting the amount of guns on the streets. But we continue to see a proliferation of illegal guns, due to the gun laws of neighboring states. I would love to commission a study of cities and states where there were efforts to increase legal gun owners and if there was a correlation in a reduction of some crimes. What has been done at the city and state level is not working and it leaves many of our communities vulnerable while law breakers run rampant. So I’m open to working with all community entities and city wide stakeholders to address this rising tide once elected. Working with the state legislation and Govenor is imperative as well to tackle this issue.
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.
Accountability for the agency is the area most I think needs to change. I think a change in leadership is the first step in a number of many that will help improve the quality of service for CTA. By accountability I meant the President. Leadership and working with the public is key to improving the product but also giving the community the confidence and assurances it deserves from a taxpayer provided public entity.
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?
CPS has or works with community entities and community stakeholders to stabilize many of the communities that CPS serves. Destabilization and disinvestment have been the driving forces of residents leaving and removing their scholars. Also, CPS has to improve upon the current scores and data. I don’t place blame on the district alone, because it is a multilevel partnership with the entire city and its neighborhood entities. Some communities do an excellent job, but overall the communities with the most need are struggling to attract new businesses and support growth in our underutilized workforce, breaking the unnecessary barriers to sustainable employment and thriving job market. Schools will see an increase particularly in disinvested communities when that community sees investment in infrastructure improvement; transportation; technology; and small business.
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.
Not answered.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
For decades, property taxes have increased, while the average citizen wages has not grown or been consistent with cost of living. Our city must assess the overall cost-of-living increases in order for property tax responsibility to keep up with inflation. Over promising and not delivering, has passed the cost off on taxpayers. I will fight for equitable solutions for taxpayers and harm the most vulnerable communities. I do support giving Chicagoans property tax relief in the instance that the funding can be generated from a space that doesn’t diminish current services from the citizens. One idea that has been floated and I feel may need to be explored more is the city’s use of COVID relief money. Some communities saw increases of more than 20% of previous bills. I would like to help find solutions.
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?
The city of Chicago has a documented history of problematic use of TIF funds over the time that the ordinance was created. I wouldn’t support eliminating the use of TIF funding but I would definitely recommend greater transparency as a reform. Educating communities throughout the city about TIF finding is imperative. Since the TIF program is meant to spur development in “blighted” areas by declaring them TIF districts, and the city clearly defines the criteria, I would respectfully object to some of the areas the money has been used for development. As an educator, my fight is for education funding equality. I would support an ordinance that guarantees a percentage of all TIF projects is for school improvement since TIF districts capture property taxes that would otherwise be split between schools, the city and special taxing districts such as the Chicago Park District. Around half of the property tax revenue collected by TIFs would otherwise go to Chicago Public Schools.
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 do not feel that the rate the city is addressing this issue is acceptable. I think more studies need to be done and more information regarding the impact and effect of these lines need to be done to have a better understanding. My family currently drinks purchased water for this reason and I understand that not every family can afford or even understands the risk involved in drinking from the lead pipes. The most feasible way to accomplish the replacement in my opinion is to bring greater attention to this matter. I understand there is a great fiscal responsibility associated with the replacement of these pipes but at the current rate it would take thousands of years and that is not acceptable.
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.
Not answered.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
The number one issue that residents express to me when I’m out canvassing has been crime and public safety. I am personally very passionate about mental illness, education and community economic development. But crime is having a paralyzing effect on many parts of the 6th ward along with other parts of the city. It affects the quality of life, many of which are our elderly. The way I would address public safety is to fight for increased funding of our neighborhood school. There is one place in particular I know where there will be future victims and future offenders, that is our classroom. If we provide the resources they need at an earlier age than that to me is a great deterrent. Right now the average age of a shooter and carjacker in this city is fifteen years old. Also, I would introduce an ordinance such as one that adds an increased penalty for individuals that commit crimes within 100 feet of a school. I think there should be increased penalties for individuals who commit crimes against our elderly and children, which are the most vulnerable and deserve to be protected.
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 running as husband, a father, an educator and community stakeholder that is interested in improving the quality of life for those that I serve. Service is the number job, making sure constituents feel that their needs are being met and that they are receiving the services they expect as taxpayers. I am running a grassroots campaign unconnected to the current leadership or any other entity which is difficult to do but what the ward what and deserves. My experience as an Chicago Public Schools Local School Council Community Representative has helped me develop in key areas of need for the 6th Ward. My policy and philosophy is to remain rooted to the community and be a person of quality character because the people in the past that ran off of credentials have placed the ward in a state where the community desires more transparency and participation. That is exactly what I intend to do and improve upon once elected. I intended to utilize my fourteen years of experience working in education as a Dean and adminstrator and problem solving to continue bridging the gap with community entities and stakeholders. My plan is to set a base of all the schools in the ward, LSC’s, parent PAC’s and small businesses and expand upon that to provide the services that my community desperately needs.