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: Jason Ervin
Ward: 28th Ward
Current job: 28th Ward Alderman, City of Chicago
Previous political experience: 28th Ward Alderman, City of Chicago since 2011
Education: Southern Illinois University (BA); Governor’s State University (MPA)
Spouse’s occupation: City Treasurer of Chicago
Sources of outside income: CPA & Real Estate
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.
The cause of this increase in crime is a once in a generation pandemic coupled with one of the most brazen examples of police misconduct in American history. The aftermath of both violently clashing together will take a great deal of time to remedy. We must restore trust between the community and the police while also investing in new ways to keep our communities safe. We need to combat a very tight labor market and get more police officers hired to replace the rash of retirements. We also need to make sure those new officers are trained well in constitutional policing compliant with the consent decree. We need more technology, such as license plate readers, to assist officers and prosecutors in apprehending and successfully prosecuting criminals. We also must have strong investments in violence interruption programs, after school programs, job training, and job creation. Finally, we desperately need help from federal partners and our neighboring states to stem the flow of illegal guns. There is no one solution to an enormously complex problem that has afflicted every major city across the United States.
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.
We have to have buy-in from our federal and state partners to confront the reality that about half of the ridership is missing right now due to the pandemic, work from home, and general change in the job market. With this new reality, we have to invest in more technology and improved service to attract new riders and entice old ones to return. Extending the Red Line is one positive step in the right direction through the new federal monies we can access with the Red Line TIF. One of my other top priorities will be rebuilding the Blue Line.
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?
Springfield has failed to provide Chicago its fair share of funding for decades and they must recognize that Chicago is the economic engine of Illinois and invest accordingly. The new school board will be seated soon and the responsibility for revenue will fall on their shoulders. I will support candidates for office that are serious about properly funding our schools so that we can expand our offerings and attract a new student population with the promise of a good education that leads to a good job. We must connect our vital trades industries to CPS and our City Colleges.
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.
I have been a strong supporter of Mayor Lightfoot’s Invest SouthWest program which has brought investment to the communities that need it most. This has been a successful use of public and private funds with community input to create lasting economic change. We need more partnerships leveraging investment of public dollars with private dollars that are specifically targeted in Black communities. Upcoming infrastructure and clean energy investments by the federal and state government are a great opportunity for Chicago to add on top of those investments and spur private investment to follow.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Families and small businesses are still hurting from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and are continuing to struggle from increased inflation. As we received additional funding from other sources, I chose to cancel the most recent property tax increase in the 2023 budget proposal. Protecting the families of Chicago is my number one priority and I believe providing property tax relief is a way of doing just that.
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 focus on the TIF program is overblown. It is a useful tool to channel investment and it has made returns to the City of Chicago in surplus tax revenue repeatedly. It needs more transparency and to be held to the same standards that the rest of Chicago government adopts, but it should continue. Furthermore, it has provided much needed resources for infrastructure, schools, public buildings, and affordable housing for the 28th Ward.
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, the pace of lead service line replacement should be expedited. Thousands of Chicagoans are living with unsafe water conditions that can severely impact their health. Investing in this process, especially within lower-income areas, is a top priority of mine and I will continue working towards our goal of ensuring that all families in the City of Chicago have access to safe drinking water.
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 have a record of providing top notch constituent services to my community and that is proof that I am able to continue providing excellent service going forward. I have also served on the Executive Board of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus for the last eight years and am the current Chairman where I have advocated for equity based solutions to many challenges facing the African-American community.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Economic development and public safety are the top concerns in our community. As I stated above, investing in our community and taking concrete steps to enhance public safety are my top agenda items.
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 serious candidate in this race with solid plans to make the lives of my constituents safer and more prosperous.