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: Steve Demitro
Ward: 11th
Current job: Attorney – private practice
Previous political experience: Chairman of the Education Funding Advisory Board for the State of Illinois (2005-2009)
Education: GED – Bachelors of Arts – Juris Doctor
Spouse’s occupation: Not married
Sources of outside income: Attorney-Cook County Arbitrator – Rental
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.
Chicago Police Department Beat 914 in the 11th Ward had the most robberies in the entire City of Chicago for 2022 with a total of 176 robberies reported. This amounts to a robbery taking place in this single police beat every other day. Here are a few possible solutions to the rise in violent crime; Have police officers walk the neighborhood beats at least one hour of their shifts, two times a week. (Weather and time permitting.) In addition to having patrol cars patrolling the streets, all sworn police officers including the ones working behind a desk and other non – street positions and departments out walking our neighborhoods. This plan may also be a temporary solution to the shortage of Police the city now has.
The benefits of police officers walking neighborhood beats; (1) increased visibility – A police officer walking the beat is more visible to the community than a patrol car driving through the neighborhood. This increased visibility can help deter crime. (2) Improved relationships – A police officer walking in a neighborhood would interact with the community residents in a more personal way which would help build trust and improve relationships between the police and community. (3) When a police officer is walking a beat, they have the opportunity to observe and identify potential problems.
Revamp CAPS Program – Low attendance at CAPS meetings is a concern, and steps must be taken to understand the reason for this and take action to improve it. One possible solution is to redesign the CAPS program, giving it a new focus and approach, with the goal of increasing attendance and community engagement. By closely monitoring the results and making adjustments as needed, the program can become more effective in reducing crime in the community.
Invest In Mentoring Programs – Mentoring programs play a crucial role in the development on inner city youth. As a high school dropout – turned lawyer, I can attest to the significance and impact of mentorship in one’s personal and professional growth.
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.
As a regular user of the CTA, I have noticed that many passengers do not feel safe while using the public transportation system. To address this, I suggest implementing several measures including:
Improving the emergency communication system in order to make it easier for passengers to contact emergency services and receive a quick response.
Increasing the visibility of security personnel at stations and on trains or buses, including having more police officers assigned to the CTA
Taking steps to improve maintenance and implementing safety upgrades in order to ensure that the system is in good working condition. By taking these steps, the trust of riders can be restored and increase the ridership of the CTA.
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?
As a former Chairman of the Education Funding Advisory Board for the State of Illinois and a high school dropout, I understand the importance of education and aim to stress its value. To increase enrollment at CPS, some strategies include enhancing the school’s reputation, building strong connections with the community, effectively marketing the school to potential students and parents, fostering a welcoming environment for all students, and identifying the reasons for student attrition.
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.
One way to address disinvestment in a community is to prevent companies that engage in environmentally harmful practices from operating in the area. This can help to protect the health and well-being of residents, and prevent the neighborhood from becoming a “dumping ground” for pollution. In addition to protecting the environment, it is also important to invest in the community through various strategies such as promoting and supporting small businesses, providing services such as vocational schools, and encouraging community members to participate in local decision-making and planning. Vocational schools, also known as trade schools, can be a valuable resource for residents. They offer students the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to enter a specific trade or industry, and can help them to secure good-paying jobs. Furthermore, the skills, knowledge, and the feeling of accomplishment that students gain from these schools may help to develop a sense of pride.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes. The high tax burden on homeowners in Chicago is causing financial strain for many, leading to the possibility of forced home sales and relocation. To prevent this outcome, homeowners tax reform measures should be implemented, such as reducing property taxes, providing increased tax deductions for homeowners, and exploring exemptions for specific groups of individuals. These steps would not only benefit homeowners but also the City of Chicago as a whole.
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?
TIFs, can be both beneficial and detrimental. While TIFs can be a useful tool for economic development in underdeveloped or blighted areas, allowing for the financing of public projects that might not otherwise be possible. But TIFs also have shortcomings: lack of transparency, poor oversight, and for being used to subsidize private development at the expense of other public services and programs. It’s important to have greater oversight and transparency in the implementation of TIFs to ensure they are effectively serving the community’s needs and not just benefiting a select few.
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 lead services lines need to be replaced at quickly as possible. Experts must be consulted with to determine the best and quickest way. Many factors have to be taken into consideration including but not limited to: the least invasive way and to minimize disruption of existing infrastructure. Also the correct materials need to be used that are resistant to corrosion and can withstand Chicago winters and summers along with changes in water pressure.
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?
Although there are many concerns of the people of the 11th Ward Crime is number one. The Chicago Police Department Beat 914 in the 11th Ward had the most robberies in the entire city of Chicago for 2022 with a total of 176 robberies reported. This amounts to a robbery taking place in this single police beat every other day.
Here are a few possible solutions to the rise in violent crime in the 11th Ward; Have police officers walk the neighborhood beats at least one hour of their shifts, two times a week. (Weather and time permitting.) In addition to having patrol cars patrolling the streets, all sworn police officers including the ones working behind a desk and other non – street positions and departments out walking our neighborhoods. This plan may also be a temporary solution to the shortage of Police the city now has.
The benefits of police officers walking neighborhood beats; (1) increased visibility – A police officer walking the beat is more visible to the community than a patrol car driving through the neighborhood. This increased visibility can help deter crime. (2) Improved relationships – A police officer walking in a neighborhood would interact with the community residents in a more personal way which would help build trust and improve relationships between the police and community. (3) When a police officer is walking a beat, they have the opportunity to observe and identify potential problems.
Revamp CAPS Program – Low attendance at CAPS meetings are a concern, and steps must be taken to understand the reason for this and take action to improve it. One possible solution is to redesign the CAPS program, giving it a new focus and approach, with the goal of increasing attendance and community engagement. By closely monitoring the results and making adjustments as needed, the program can become more effective in reducing crime in the community.
Invest In Mentoring Programs – Mentoring programs play a crucial role in the development on inner city youth. As a high school dropout – turned lawyer, I can attest to the significance and impact of mentorship in one’s personal and professional growth.
Offer fun programs that bring families and community together. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, I organized a successful kids fishing derby at McKinley Park Lagoon. I stocked the lagoon with fish, provided prizes and food, and secure participation from the Chicago Police Department as well as various neighborhood volunteer organizations and celebrities. The event gained recognition as the best kids fishing derby in Chicago. I would revive the event and collaborate with community organizations to support their programs. Such programs can play a role in reducing crime in the community.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
As a son of immigrant parents living in one of the most diverse Wards in Chicago, I believe the 11th Ward has the potential of becoming one of the best Wards in Chicago. With the experience I obtained during several diverse positions in my life, my knowledge, integrity, honesty and commitment to my community, I believe I would be an asset to the people of the 11th Ward and City of Chicago. My diverse background has taught me a great deal about people and their need for good government. I will fight and never up to make the people of the 11th Ward Safer. Have stronger communities and serve the people of the 11th Ward not lobbyists or special interest.
I will fight for:
Safer Neighborhoods
Better City Services
Vocational Schools
Lower Property Taxes for Homeowners
Cleaner Environment
Better Public Schools
Stop Junk Fees
Term Limits
A Dog Park in the 11th Ward.