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: Daliah Goree
Ward: 21st
Current job: Chicago Police Officer /Recruiter
Previous political experience: Local School Council Board Member, Flourish PAC Board Member, FOP Union Rep for 007th District
Education: Bachelors -Calumet College of St. Joseph
Spouse’s occupation: Railroad /Foreman
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.
As Alderman I would make sure there is a gang intervention programs in the neighborhood, called a safe place. We face many challenges when it comes to reducing crime. Many Chicagoans don’t trust the police, which makes it more difficult to solve crimes and punish those who commit them. We need to restore the bond between the people of this City and our sworn police officers. As a Community Policing Officer and a School Liaison Officer, I work to build a bridge between our residents and the police. I started the Chicago Police Father Daughter Dance and the District Anti-Violence Radio Program, which was for youth and helped bridge the gap between them and police officers. We must also focus on returning citizens to help integrate them into our community. I have worked to help returning citizens find work by partnering with the organization such as Safer Foundation, Phalanx and other organizations. As Alderperson I would support any law that reduced the number of weapons on our street. Furthermore, I would send out newsletters in our community weekly on how to protect themselves, encourage them to get cameras and-updates criminal/suspicious activities, know your neighbors and bringing our community back to knowing the Neighbors. I would introduce Safety programs monthly on how to report crime to the appropriate department and have CPD units participate in community beat meetings and block club meetings and explain services in the community. I would also reduce the house vacancies as these attract unwanted illegal activities. The major problem is getting our youth back in programs as there are several organizations that parents aren’t aware of that will mentor our youth. Mental health treatment centers are important to the community as it has become more frequent, so as the Alderman I must make sure we have outreach services. I will work the Mayor and the Chicago Police Department and other agencies to help reduce our violent crime issues we face monthly or as needed.
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.
Much of the 21st Ward lacks adequate public transportation. I strongly support the extension of the CTA Red Line to Chicago’s far south side and as Alderman will work to speed up the delivery of that system. CTA needs to increase the police patrols on the trains and must secure more tools to hire people faster to ensure that its trains and buses are fully staffed. Honestly, I’ve worked CTA as a police officer who rode the bus and trains and to be quite frank, the drivers and commuters loved to see officers on. It was many times that the bus driver and the commuters stated their appreciation for riding the bus. As Alderman, I would ensure that I work with CPD and CTA for safety and more equitable for Chicago.
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?
Every school should provide equal educational opportunity, assets and resources regardless of the tier and type. I believe the way to increase Chicago population and strengthen is to have strong neighborhood schools. The difference in resources between south and west side schools in the most concerning inequity in the system. Lack of nurses and social workers at every school is another inequity that must be addressed. The cost of living in Chicago is forcing many people to move. Property taxes are a significant cost, but so are the many taxes Chicago poses on things like, bottled water, electricity and gas cost is rising as we speak. Reducing the taxes would make people stay in the city, it’s too expensive to live here.
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 needs to work with the banks to reduce discrimination in the loan process so that entrepreneurs (small business) can obtain loans and lines of credit to operate their business. Chicago needs to require banks to include a plan to expand lending in the south and west side as a condition of being approved as a municipal depository. Reality Banks want business.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Chicago Property Tax has gone up significantly. The second installment we just received contained $94 million tax increase. We can’t keep going like this. Homeowners are facing foreclosures and commercial business in the neighborhoods are being forced to close. I would support eliminating the automatic escalator to start. But we need to work with Cook County to create new entire property tax system.
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 are funded by the growth of property value. As such, they have been more beneficial in areas with high property value growth than in areas with lower property value growth. Such a model perpetuates the disinvestment we see on the south side.
TIF’s should be used to invest in underserved areas regardless of where they are located as was done with the Red Line extension to the far south side.
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 at which the city is replacing lead service lines in unacceptable. The city should create a low interest loan program for residents to hire a private contractor to replace their lead service line. For low-income residents, the city should provide a grant to hire a private contractor to replace their lead service. I feel like priority should be given to families who have young children. Residents can’t wait on the city.
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 served on the Chicago Police Department, for 24 years. My experience as a police officer and as a community advocate have prepared me to serve in the City Council. My work with the seniors and our youth have has helped me understand the challenges they face so I come to the position prepared. Unlike many of my opponents, I didn’t just start doing things for the community. I’ve been doing for the community for more than 20 years.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
City services are the major issues at the forefront of the community. Crime is at an all-time high, we have children being shot with guns in the home and robberies. A lack of businesses in the ward particularly grocery stores, is a serious problem. As Alderman, I work to ensure 21st Ward residents have sufficient grocery options. I will reach out to grocers and press the Department of Planning and Development to end our food desert.
Public Safety in our ward is another issue. It’s also important to have the police come out to the community meetings to meet the constituents. This creates a relationship with the community and the police knowing that they will be working together in the community for the greater good. It’s important for the communities to know who their officers are in the community. I would also work with the police department in assisting with recruitment as we are short police officers and working closely with CPD. As the Alderman I would be working with other agencies to assist with the public safety issues. Bringing more candidates on CPD would tremendously help our city. In the meantime, I would encourage our community to help and look out for one another on their blocks and in the neighborhood. I would have a representative come out to help establish block clubs. This was very effective, in our neighborhoods
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
Things in the City Council have become quite divided. I will bring a collaborative approach to the City Council because that’s how things are done. I am a proven leader in the community. I have 24 years of experience working for the people of Chicago both as a police officer and as an advocate for seniors and youth in the community. Chicago faces serious challenges we need members on the City Council who have a proven track record.