
Policy Platform
We have a lot of issues to tackle and great things to accomplish in the new 36th Ward. Below is an overview of my plan and vision as we work toward a brighter future for our neighborhood and city as a whole.
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With 32% (16 of 50) of current aldermen choosing not to run for re-election, I will work with like-minded colleagues to quickly forge positive relationships within the City Council -- the timing couldn’t be better to effectuate needed change.
Public Safety


Chicago Police detectives working in our area were told by young offenders that they refer to West Town as “Candyland,” because robbing from its residents was like “taking candy from a baby.” That unfortunate viewpoint needs to be changed.
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The distressing fact is that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is at a three-decade low with 11,669 sworn officers as of March 30, 2022, down from the 11,983 reported at the beginning of 2022 and the 12,739 members on the force on Jan. 1, 2021, according to statistics provided by CPD to the media. In the 1990s through the early 2000s, there were typically around 13,500 CPD officers. The result is CPD is dealing with more crime with fewer officers available to patrol and answer 911 calls. In this article, Wirepoints reports that in 2021 “there were 406,829 incidents of high-priority emergency service calls
for which there were no police available to respond.”​
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My public safety priorities include:
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Filling the 1,500+ uniformed police vacancies as soon as possible by ramping up recruitment efforts while also ensuring the individuals hired have the proper background, temperament and mindset to serve and protect all residents of Chicago and that their training adheres the standards set forth in the consent decree under which CPD is operating.
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Working with the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, the Superintendent of Police, the Chief of Patrol and the Commanders, Captains and Community Policing Sergeants of the Districts in the ward to restore the community policing model that prioritizes beat integrity and ensures every beat in the Ward has officers assigned to it who are actively patrolling on all three watches 24/7.
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Circulating petitions in the current 12th District to re-open a 13th District Station in the West Town area. The 12th District covers a large and highly congested area. This was a failed experiment and it’s not fair to the constituents within this area. Crime has spiked and we need to show results and bring those numbers back down. This will require a majority vote of 26 in City Council and the Mayor’s approval to pass. With strong community support, we can achieve this.
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Because many residents of the 36th Ward rely on public transportation, I’ll work to redirect funds currently spent on private security patrols on the CTA to hire more CPD officers so that there are at least 500 officers assigned to the Public Transit Unit who are riding trains and buses and patrolling stations.​
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Dedicating 10%, or roughly $160,000 of the $1.60 million menu budget allocated to the 36th Ward, to launch a 1-year private security patrol pilot program and measure results. The security company hired must pass rigorous standards and only employ off-duty or retired law enforcement officers. Other communities in Chicago have hired private security including areas in Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Hyde Park.
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Advocate for the reactivation of the City of Chicago’s Law Department Municipal Prosecution Unit while also working with like-minded aldermen to pass a comprehensive “Public Nuisance” ordinance focused on enforcing misdemeanors crimes that the Cook County State’s Attorney Office fails to prosecute.
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With fewer officers patrolling, Chicago needs to beef up its use of technology. If we are working with a smaller police force, we need to leverage technological assets to combat crime. Some of my suggestions include:​​
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​Install additional ShotSpotters throughout the city as they are proven to help increase response times with police arriving between 1-3 minutes of shots being fired. Currently, 60 of 240 square miles are covered with an average police response times ranging from 1-3 minutes.
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Install license plate readers and speed cameras along all Chicago-area expressways and Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Since officers are not allowed to pursue, we must leverage technology to identify and capture criminals.
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Invest in metal detectors / x-ray scanners at all CTA train entry access points with new turnstiles that prevent access to anyone carrying a weapon on CTA property.
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Add to the small CPD helicopter fleet and consider the use of drones to follow criminals from the sky. I also would like to explore the feasibility of moving helicopters from Gary Airport to Midway and O’Hare.
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To enhance ongoing training and to allow supervisors to take corrective measures on a daily basis, explore the purchase of Truleo software , which provides automated review and analysis of body worn camera audio.
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"Safety, in its widest sense, concerns the happiness, contentment and freedom of mankind."
– William M. Jeffers, former President, Union Pacific Railroad Co. (1946)

Youth After School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Program/Innovation Lab.
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During the next 4-years, I will dedicate 10%, or roughly $700,000 of my 36th Ward menu money, to launch and develop a technology incubator for youth in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
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In 2019, I helped facilitate the Business Technology Education Center (BTEC) launching its program in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Four years later, BTEC still operates a successful STEAM program for youth at 3942 W. North Ave. Learn more at www.BTEC312.com

Urban Planning
To enhance two main streets in the 36th Ward I would:
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Chicago Avenue
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Designate Ukrainian Village as a national heritage area. Similar to Bronzeville.
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Install Arches of Ukrainian Village / Ukrainian Village Gateway. Similar to the Arches of Freedom of the Ukrainian people located in Kiev and similar to the Fulton Market Gateway.
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Potential sources of funding include: National Heritage Act, Chicago Avenue SSA, TIF fund, Fundraising and/or dedicate 36th Ward menu money toward the project.
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Grand Avenue
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Establish a Grand Avenue Bike Trail that stretches the 6-miles from the Brickyard Mall to the Western Avenue Metra Station on Hubbard Street connecting to existing well-used bike lanes along Kinzie to Milwaukee avenue.
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Reduce blight and brighten-up Grand Avenue by first reviewing the zoning along Grand Avenue and, where appropriate, change it from manufacturing to mixed-use (retail/residential) to increase density and pedestrian foot traffic. This was part of my policy platform in 2019.
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Lead and create a Special Service Area (SSA) for Grand Avenue. Tax revenues from an SSA will help beautify Grand Avenue via landscaping, murals, art sculpture installations, benches, additional surveillance cameras, street lighting and free Wi-Fi. This was part of my policy platform in 2019.​
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Potential sources of funding include: a newly created Grand Avenue SSA, TIF funds, Fundraising and/or dedicate 36th Ward menu money toward the project.





Infrastructure & Technology
Initiatives I see possible in this area:
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Development of a “Technology Park” pilot program installing wind and solar power and free Wi-Fi at Riis Park.
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Reclaiming green space within the Ward through community engagement. Review underutilized city- owned real estate assets and vacant land within the Ward which can provide an opportunity for community spaces like dog parks, shared gardens, farmer’s markets, etc.
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Installation of state-of-the-art surveillance cameras, ShotSpotters and power our Business districts (Chicago Avenue, Brickyard Mall and future Grand Avenue SSA) with complimentary Wi-Fi.
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Potential sources of funding include: a newly created Grand Avenue SSA, Chicago Avenue SSA, TIF funds, Fundraising and/or dedicate 36th Ward menu money toward the project.

Vertical Helix Wind Turbin
Financial Reform to City Hall
As the 36th Ward Alderman, my priorities when it comes to saving your tax dollars will include:
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Audit all existing Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) to ensure they are being used within the scope of the law while working towards eliminating those that are no longer needed to encourage private investment.
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Redistribute 50% of annual TIF revenue, or approximately $600 million per year, and reallocate it for essential services including:
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​$150 million annually to replace lead pipes citywide.
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$150 million annual payment toward pension fund obligations.
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$60 million to fund head-start (pre-K) programs in underserved communities.
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$60 million for needs-based transitional housing for homeless and refugees.
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$60 million dedicated to affordable housing.
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$50 million divided equally among all 50-wards for services and programs voted on by residents via the participatory budgeting process.
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$30 million dedicated to public safety technology improvements such as CCTV cameras, Shot Spotters, etc.
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$30 million allocated to green space initiatives like dog parks, community gardens, benches, cityscapes, skateparks, etc.
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$10 million earmarked to launch Technology initiative citywide and provide free public Wi-Fi in city parks, boulevard system and neighborhood plazas.​​
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Allocate the remaining 50% of TIF revenues across the city’s budget rather than raising property taxes to provide city services and meet pension fund obligations.
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Collaborating with other elected officials to develop and introduce a tiered property tax discount structure, at each 5-year interval, that encourages and allows for long-term residents to stay in their homes. We want and need the stability that long-term neighbors who helped build our communities bring to our neighborhoods.
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Work with other alderman to ensure there is an audit across all city departments to try to find ways to save taxpayer money by reducing redundancies and eliminating waste.
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2018 ~$841 million
2019 ~$926 million
2020 ~$1.0 billion
2021 ~$1.1 billion
2022 ~$1.2 billion
TIF reform - TIFs generate over $1.0 billion in revenue per year.
