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: Bennett Lawson
Ward: 44th
Current job: 44th Ward – Aldermanic Chief of Staff
Previous political experience: N/A
Education: Loyola University – BA in Political Science, Public Administration and Business
Spouse’s occupation: Peter Mendoza. Sr. Customer Success Manager at Total Expert
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.
Improving public safety would be my top priority as Alderman of the 44th Ward. I have experience working with 19th District leadership, business/tourism leaders and community leaders to take appropriate measures to help lower violence and crime in our communities. I would propose new incentives to hire and attain officers, provide them with better training and officer support. I also believe we ask our police officers to do too much and would be in favor of taking things off their plate and providing mental health professionals and social workers the tools to respond to appropriate 911 calls.
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.
A strong public transit system is important to the future and sustainability of Chicago. CTA leaders must take steps to instill trust and rebuild confidence to regain ridership. In the near term, we need to increase the security presence on the CTA similarly to how New York and D.C. have a much higher percentage of their police force dedicated to transit in comparison to what we have currently. The ghost bus problem can be solved by actually using a GPS tracker instead of a schedule. We used to have a GPS tracker in the past and it was very reliable.
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?
Strong neighborhood schools are important to families in the 44th Ward and throughout our city. In the past, many parents left Chicago because they felt that our schools were not safe or effective in educating our kids, but there were notable gains over the past two decades in safety and educational outcomes. There are currently risks, however, of these gains slipping away. We need more oversight of our public schools from the city. We need to make sure neighborhood schools are schools of first choice for their community so that families continue residing in our communities. We need to also ensure the gains achieved in our primary schools also continue to be a priority in our secondary schools.
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 am in favor of leveraging public and private dollars using transit nodes. Expanding our public transit infrastructure and encouraging investment in the South and West side should be a priority for the city. Too many areas in these communities remain transportation deserts and this cuts people off from economic opportunities they can pursue for jobs that exist elsewhere for them in the city, which is why we need to expand bus routes and ensure investments in red line expansion becomes a reality.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
There are a number of programs we have right now that benefit homeowners and seniors, which are important to keeping the fabric of our communities strong. I would encourage legacy businesses, affordable/mixed income buildings, and expanding businesses under the 6-B program to receive tax breaks that they are entitled to. I am also a proponent of economic development as a tool to help reduce tax burden. I support ending TIFs at the end of their functional life so that City businesses and residents can benefit from the development and taxation gained through this economic development tool through a reduced tax burden.
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 have been an effective economic development tool, but have been misunderstood and maligned, largely because they are used in developed parts of the City. To restore trust, we must increase transparency. We also need clear goals for the TIF and dedicated projects to achieve economic development goals. When there are excess TIF funds, we should encourage leveraging these resources for our public schools. As mentioned previously, when TIFs reach the end of their functional life, they should end so the entire City can benefit from the gains achieved through this economic development tool.
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?
It is a disgrace that the City has not done more to replace the lead service lines, and it should be a priority with the staffing and resources to reduce this public health threat. Thankfully, there are federal resources through the national infrastructure bill passed by the last Congress and our City should do everything we can to leverage these resources.
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.
Having served as Alderman Tunney’s Chief of Staff for over 15 years, I have become known in the community as someone who is trusted to get things done. In this role, I have been building coalitions and bringing people together to build a better 44th Ward. As Alderman, I will bring unmatched experience, relationships, and knowledge of the community to continue strong, steady leadership for the 44th Ward while continuing to advocate for safe and welcoming neighborhoods, balanced development, quality public education, and a more inclusive, transparent government.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
My priority is increasing public safety so that people feel safe and welcome in my community and our city at large. I also know that residents in Lakeview want economic growth and will work in tandem to help us to create a thriving community, and keep the 44th Ward a desirable place to live and do business.
I am also an enormous supporter of safe and sustainable options for all walkers, bikers, runners, and drivers alike. I am seeking to elevate the voices of the community by making the office more transparent and accessible to those in the ward. Finally, I support the development of market-rate housing, supporting our affordable housing model, and building additional transit-oriented development.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
My experience as Alderman Tunney’s Chief of Staff gives me intimate knowledge of the Chicago City Council and how to run an effective and responsive Aldermanic office. I am the only candidate in this race who has worked on issues of zoning and development and have fostered positive relationships with realtors, community activists, and business owners throughout the 44th Ward for close to two decades.