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: Ana Guajardo
Ward: 10th
Current job: Former Executive Director of CTU- Current full time candidate
Previous political experience: Not answered
Education: Masters In Public Policy. Currently pursuing PHD at Loyola
Spouse’s occupation: Not answered
Sources of outside income: Not answered
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.
As Alderwoman, I will work closely with City Government, local community leaders and law enforcement to create innovative ways to combat crime. Crime is a symptom of a larger broken system and I intend on fixing that head on. We need better schools, more resources for our communities and better jobs if we are going to reduce crime.
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’m a proponent of making the CTA more affordable and safe. As a resident of the far South Side, it’s time we invest in more bus routes for our community. Our residents do not have reliable access to rail routes and we need to change that ASAP. We are excited to see the red line expansion and welcome further investments in our public transit infrastructure, such as electric buses in our community.
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 is home to some of the greatest schools in the world. It’s also home to some of the finest teachers. We need to aggressively market these facts and show our families that CPS is a great education. We also need to work with local leaders to ensure that our schools are safe and fully funded.
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.
The City can consider applying for and utilizing federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds to kick start investment in “Green Jobs” and attract leading companies to partner with the city and additional state and county resources to provide fully intentional wraparound services to complement the “Career Training”. We need to expand the idea of job training and develop long-term solutions to our biggest challenges.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes. I would accomplish this by creating progressive revenue streams, shifting the burden from middle-class families. I support the proposal in City Council, introduced by Alderman Michael Rodriguez, to use federal stimulus money for property tax rebates to homeowners.
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?
I believe that TIFs are good in theory. I do believe that, at times, they’ve been mismanaged. I would support putting more community involvement and transparency into the TIF process and invest that money into our communities that need it most.
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?
Yes. We need to prioritize our greatest asset. Our drinking water and its safety should be prioritized in our city budget. City Hall needs to do better and we can start by prioritizing removal/replacement in Disproportionately Impacted Communities.
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?
Public safety. We need to reinvest in our community whether it be better jobs, better schools or safer communities. This will ultimately positively impact our public safety; ensuring that everyone has a safe place to live!
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 the only candidate who has legislative and policy experience in City-Hall and in Springfield. As a Veteran and LSC member, I’m deeply rooted in the 10th Ward and will work to make it a better place. I’ve worked to pass bills that have positively impacted the entire city and state and I’m confident that once elected I can continue to do so.
I am also backed by the Chicago Federation of labor and Jesus Chuy Garcia and 12 other Labor unions. Our campaign is people powered and centered on lifting the entire 10th ward.