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: Corey Dooley
Ward: 29th
Current job: Student
Previous political experience: N/A
Education: answer
Spouse’s occupation: Northwestern Mutual – Campus Recruiter
Sources of outside income: N/A
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.
Create more opportunity for youth to be in leadership positions. I will employ and develop youth to be more civically engaged once in office.
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.
The city of Chicago should have pilot programs that allow youth to operate these systems and familiarize themselves with the services to develop a greater appreciation.
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?
Create cultural curriculum that partners with social and emotional learning.
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.
Continue the development of the Invest South/West initiative. Continuing to develop the commercial corridors in historically disinvested areas is a great way to boost the local economy and revitalize our neighborhoods.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes. Working with city council to explore other forms of creating capital for the city. Looking at other streams of revenue to tax such as the emerging cannabis industry.
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?
Re-evaluating the number of eligible TIF districts is a priority. Porting should flow only from higher tax receiving districts to lower tax receiving districts. Corporations receiving TIF funds must be limited to a percentage or capped at a dollar amount. A percentage of TIF funds should be shown as available in the City Budget as opposed to none
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. Teach our youth trades to educate them and offer them city contracts to complete the work.
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 am a survivor of gun violence. In 2013 my stepfather ambushed my family and I with a gun as we pulled into our garage. He shot me 4 times. Doctors gave me less than a 1% chance to survive. Since overcoming this obstacle, I have been awarded multiple degrees, helped develop a commercial corridor, written a book, got married and now I am running to become the youngest alderman in the Chicago City Council! I’m Corey Dooley, a 24 year old community leader who has worked to create jobs in our community, create programs that invest in your youth, and work to make our communities safer. Over the past 5 years, I’ve been serving this community and with this critical moment of change happening in our city, I’m running to be that trusted voice that the residents of the 29th ward and beyond can count on to serve them and work on their behalf.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Economic Development, Public Safety, Education
I have met with current and aspiring business owners while working on the mayor’s invest Southwest project (Soul City Corridor project) and partnered with them to help develop their business and as a result adding jobs and economic growth to our community. I have a decade of experience working with youth. As an alderman I would be able to provide impactful programs, resources, and opportunities to my peers. and even those younger than me to combat this narrative that Chicago youth eventually end up in a life of crime and violence. We both know increasing public safety is a top issue for many Chicagoans. I serve on various Chicago policing boards including Committee Chairman for the 15th Police District Domestic Violence Council, Vice President of the Youth District Advisory Council, and a member of the Chicago Youth Council for Police Accountability. Because I have a working relationship with law enforcement officials in this area, as alderman I would be able to serve as a bridge between law enforcement and our community.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
I will create more opportunities for youth to be involved in civic engagement. I support small lot development and awarding city contracts to neighborhood shareholders as opposed to corporations. Supporting the development of commercial corridors and more resources for small business owner’s/entrepreneurs