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: Eddie Johnson III
Ward: 16th
Current job: Technology Coordinator – Chicago Public Schools -CPS
Previous political experience: N/A
Education: High School – Englewood High School; Northeastern IL University and Northern Seminary
Spouse’s occupation: N/A
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.
City government can be innovative in combating crime by providing adequate resources in underserved communities such as strong social organization, affordable housing opportunities, job opportunities and residential stability to local residents. As 16th Ward Alderperson I will work with Chicago Police Department, residents, elected officials and community based – organizations to restructure the current C.A.P.S. program for the 7th, 8th and 9th districts to service their respective neighborhoods or C.A.P.S. beat based on crime and violence prevention initiatives and problem – oriented policing of hot spots. The top priority of City Hall and Chicago Police Department officers should be enhancing communication and building trust between residents; hiring more officers that reflects the cultural and ethnicity of all neighborhoods in the city of Chicago.
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.
CTA and Chicago Police Department have to improve their current working relationship and adopted a safety plan that includes redeploying the Chicago Police Department officers and expanding CTA Safety & Security staffing. CTA can improve mass transit by providing a more cleaner, friendlier and safer; customer service experience for riders throughout Chicago; by also filling the 600 operators shortage that will improved travel times and make train and bus services more reliable and equitable for all Chicagoans.
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?
In order to reverse the trend of dwindling enrollment at Chicago Public Schools; city of Chicago must address affordable housing opportunities and public safety in underserved communities on Chicago Southside and Westside communities. CPS must remove the neighborhood schools vs. selective enrollment school system and provide equitable educational resources at all CPS schools within the city of Chicago regardless of a student zip code or neighborhood area.
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.
Creating affordable housing opportunities and housing equity for existing residents on South and West side communities is a innovative idea that can play a role in reversing South and West side disinvestment. Revising the “ChiBlockBuilder” land sale program by allowing residents to purchase vacant land for $1 i.e. instead of the current options that allows developers and not for profits to purchase vacant city land. Relaunch programs like the $1 Large Lot program; allowing residents to also purchase vacant homes at $1 will provide an immediate investment to communities and add revenue without bringing any additional financial hardship to struggling blighted neighborhoods.
Additional innovating ideas that city of Chicago must invest in are rebuilding neighborhoods business corridors on South and West side communities by using Small Business Owners as the primary proponent to revitalize vacant existing storefronts. Small Business Owners will pay local taxes, requiring less maintenance, and relying on existing infrastructure.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
I support Chicagoans property tax relief, the current property tax system is inequitable and should be reformed. Property tax relief should come in the form of reevaluation from Cook County Accessor assessing’s property value based on the square footage of the property or city lot size of the property; property values shouldn’t be assessed based on the property zip code or city neighborhood area where it is located.
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?
Tax Increment Financing Districts can be a useful tool to help revitalize communities when used correctly. Unfortunate in the 16th Ward TIF’s districts funds haven’t been useful for 16th Ward residents and haven’t remove much blighted in the 16th Ward in recent years. Reforms are needed in applying city’s usage of TIF’s funds; as 16th Ward Alderperson I would create and implement a 16th Ward TIF Community Advisory Council and move to a participatory system when allocate funds related to 16th Ward TIF district.
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?
Lead in drinking water has been a known problem since the early 1980’s in the city of Chicago. City of Chicago needs to immediately replace the lead service lines throughout the city with now expensive to residents. The lead service lines are causing sufficient harm to children. The city of Chicago can prioritized replaces lead service lines base on age of homes and high lead levels in water per home/apartment building. City of Chicago charges about $20.00 per 1000 gallons; per household and may charge more per apartment building. The $20 charge can pay for remediation needed for lead level testing and other assessments that’s can expedite the replacement of lead service lines throughout the city of 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.
Not answered.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Lack of “Jobs Opportunities” and “Public Safety” issues are the most pressing issuing facing residents in the 16th Ward.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
16th Ward voters should vote for me as 16th Ward Alderperson; Because I’m a longtime resident that know first hand the struggles and hardships families face everyday while living in the 16th Ward. I have more than 20 years experience working people with a level-head and fairness. As 16th Ward Alderperson I will be thoughtful and inclusive when solving problems for all 16th Ward residents.