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: Vetress Boyce
Ward: 24th
Current job: Business Owner, Boyce Enterprise Beauty Supply Store
Previous political experience: N/A
Education: Some College
Spouse’s occupation: N/A
Sources of outside income: Property Owner-Rental Income/Entrepreneur
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 rise in violent crime in Chicago, is a direct effect of the unfair disinvestments in poverty-stricken communities compared to more thriving areas of the City. The people most likely to become involved in violent incidents are those living in the poorest communities, and dealing with mental illness. Reducing crime innovatively has to begin with reinvesting in blighted areas that has been suffering economically for decades. Mental health and substance abuse is also a key component to mass murders. There are no studies needed to identify where these crimes are extending from and who’s committing them. There needs to be an aggressive economic plan to resolve the imbalance of jobs, wealth, education and quality of life amongst Chicago, Illinois citizens. We must reverse the mental health deficit caused by the prior administration and deal with trauma in every age group on a more consistent basis. Effective mental health treatment goes far beyond medicine. It must be treated with consistent coaching, counseling and intervention.
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 can only become more equitable for Chicagoans if riders are increased. To increase riders, safety and cleanliness has to become key factors. Increase the presence of uniformed and armed police or private security companies at all stations, especially during low peak hours of the day. Adding more live monitored security cameras that are monitored by professional companies, 24 hours a day will play an important role in helping riders feel secure, but there is no substituting an armed and trained person that’s visible. Clean up stations consistently, add smell good fragrances, making sure they are well lit at all times. Adding the casino and more attractions to downtown throughout the week, would peak riders’ attention which can add to the revenue to help pay for some of the proposed improvements
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?
Declining population from the rise in crime in Chicago, is affecting CPS enrollment, along with the existing Charter/Contract schools. Even though enrollment has decrease, which gives more money per student, math and reading scores are still low. There is a pressing issue to build newer, more technology driven educational buildings.
Our children are faced with trauma every day. They’re afraid for their lives, watching their friends/family and children their age die in these cold-blooded streets. There is no simple solution to increase enrollment and it is not just a CPS issue. Yes, we need state of the art facilities. Yes, we need excellent teachers, and smaller classroom sizes can make a difference. We also need more counseling and mental health support. But until we resolve these growing crime issues, we will not get the results we are seeking. We have to make sure children are safe at home and at school, then they can focus on their education and regain the support and trust of the parents/community.
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 a background in development which is realistic, and plan to use it to help turn around the devastation in the 24th Ward. I have relationships with developers that have the capacity to assist with development with or without the use of government funding. Assuring that CBA’s are in place for community involvement. Looking locally for contractors, workers and creating jobs through projects. Building relationships and utilizing existing relationships with lenders and working with state and federal officials to help with necessary funding. TRANSPARENCY IS EVERY, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS MANDATORY.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
I absolutely support property tax relief.
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 feel that the original intended purpose of TIF funds was an excellent idea. However, I don’t feel the program is doing what it’s designed to do.
Many of the busineses that apply, can’t complete the process due to the lack of adequate credit scores, owners equity in the project or the ability to qualify for bank loans. Some businesses struggle with paying for upfront soft costs. The time frame to even get through the paperwork and approval process often create financial hardships which causes grants to expire and projects to flop.
This entire process is broken and is in dyer need of being redesigned to yield better results. Also, we have to stop the porting of TIF dollars.
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?
The pace to replace lead pipes is far too slow and causes health risks, which makes this a public health crisis. I would push an ordinance to request funding assistance from the state/federal level and have the issue addressed immediately and more rapidly. This is dangerous! I would also push the educational component on a consistent basis so that the public is aware of the danger in drinking water with lead in it.
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.
In the 24th Ward race, I am the only candidate that successfully worked with almost all the sitting Alderman to get their support on a city ordinance (Reparations), which lead to State Legislation that brough forth a national movement. Many of the Aldermen know me by the work I’ve put in politically and within my community. Being on the front-line challenging issues related to education, police brutality, community development, closing businesses practicing unethically and more. I’m an individual that residents call when needing city service from garbage removal, to cutting down trees, assistance with SBIF, Invest South West, Redevelopment applications, shelters, food pantry’s, employment, jobs and more. I have tackeled tough issues in the ward without a title and have assisted seniors with various issues from housing needs, food and dealing with slum landlords.
I have a 25-year professional career and worked years in Real Estate Development, I’m know by all the local officials in my district and received letters of support from two of them when applying for the open Aldermanic seat. I was honored in 2022 by the Cook County Board of Commissioners for “Transforming Lives Through Professional and Community Engagement” and I received an “Excellent in Business Leadership award from New Covenant Community Development Corporation, a local community organization. My credentials is proof that I have the most experience and show more consistency in being an experienced, willing servant to my community and City.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Crime (safety), jobs, trash, lack of grocery stores, quality shopping stores, development, vacant lots and nepotism.
Building the first “STRONG” 24th Ward Political organization that has representation from each precinct to manage all the issues we face collectively. I plan to build a professional team of people engaged to run this ward with me, side by side. Making sure every precinct receives attention and every ethnicity is taken care of.
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 by far the most consistent and experienced candidate in this election and have proven my loyalty to the community. Not simply talking about what I will do, but doing the work for years. Challenging the issues by being a candidate and sacrificing, making this my 3rd time seeking election. The only candidate that has worked to bring forth an ordinance, assisting residents with aldermanic tasks without a title. I am a household name, a name known for standing up for my community as a servant. The 24th Ward has been a poster child for ineffective, selfish and inexperienced leadership, and I am here to change the trajectory of our future. In each election, I promised to keep standing for change, win or lose and I honored that. I’m here again, still standing and seeking a chance to serve.