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: Brian Haag
Ward: 48th
Current job: Founder & CEO Green Element Resale
Previous political experience: None
Education: answer
Spouse’s occupation: General Manager at Green Element Resale
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.
get our number of cops back up, we are a thousand or more short. Also Tom Dart has made good reforms at county jails, follow his lead. The increase in crime is most likely partly due to the decrease in profits for cartels and gangs, as marijuana legalization ramps up. The black and brown communities got screwed over by the drug war and mass incarceration, those guys were entrepreneurs before their time – black and brown families were devastated by our then backward laws – Society has not fallen apart since legalization and marijuana, (with some actual medicinal purposes too) is far safer than alcohol as a recreational drug of choice for many. We must grant dozens more licenses to only Black and Latino people and their communities. Rich white guys many of whom were already very wealthy got all the licenses and some were already multi state operators, the very same class of guys that made $ off of it being illegal. This must be changed by more market capitalism – the low number of licenses is the same mentality of of those responsible for the drug war and mass incarceration – much like the worst parts of more socialistic anti-choice govt. control. We actually need it more legal and being regulated makes it safer for all concerned.
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.
it needs far more security for train riders / the violent crimes are what is driving down ridership. All buses need to be sold off and replaced with electric extra large vans that would run more often – that would drive ridership up and pay for itself with vastly improved rider numbers.
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?
I don’t know how much the enrollment in private school has gone up during this same time? Or if it’s only a result of lower income people having fewer kids? And people leaving Chicago, like the mass exodus of last year (2021 90K moved out) but the big moneyed class that controls most of our govt policies needs to decide how much more they want to keep squeezing down the lower income class, so much so that they keep choosing to have fewer and fewer kids – Medicare For All and a Living wage would probably help a lot of people feel more secure in having more kids.
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.
Community gardens – better physical and mental health outcomes for all involved – we DESPERATELY need to start composting all our food waste in Chicago as the methane from rotting food in landfills is more than all animal agriculture combined in USA. Methane is a far worse greenhouse gas than Co2. Composting locks all that carbon back up in the soil. Gardens and composting would create JOB JOBS JOBS! Also my prior answer about marijuana licenses given this time only to black and brown communities.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
YES – take money out of TIFS in already booming areas like Kinzie street area
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?
Lincoln yards and project 78 were awful use of tax dollars – the high end doesn’t need more help – the middle class and lower income classes are where any TIFs should be directed.
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?
FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS – endless amounts on our credit card for wars of choice, while we have so many needs here at home, This issue is a perfect example. Also this should be taken on as a jobs creation program for guys from disadvantage, like those guys from the south and west sides here in Chicago.
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.
Good listener – problem solver – coalition builder – innovative thinker
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
safety – hire more cops
If you don’t have safety – everything else falls apart
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
My approach will be VERY INCLUSIVE of all the stakeholders of the 48th ward
we will have weekly “ask the alderman” evening meetings, take a number deli style and monthly town halls to update and discuss any ongoing or new issues. These meetings are esp. for those who can’t do weekday scheduled times because of their jobs. I like people a lot and i like problem solving – my ideas are often innovative and outside the box. I will also be an activist legislator and am excited about moving things FORWARD!