Read Brandon’s responses to the Better Streets Chicago Action Fund survey

What do you believe are the greatest transportation challenges facing the City of Chicago right now?

CTA safety and reliability, traffic violence and bike safety are the greatest challenges facing our city right now. Regarding the CTA, I want to see the agency as a customer-focused accommodation with service frequency and reliability as the highest priorities. As just one example, we need to create a citywide bus lane network and bus rapid transit system that gives buses priority over other traffic. We also need mental health professionals and housing advocates with resources to house the homeless and treat those with mental illness by addressing root causes, instead of criminalizing poverty and creating tension between commuters and those harmed by systemic inequity. 

Regarding traffic violence, we need overall traffic calming features like curb extensions, bump outs, and raised crosswalks and intersections to make pedestrians safer as well. Because none of these accommodations exist in a vacuum, but instead, are part of how our city needs to reimagine street safety. Street safety isn’t just an environmental issue, but a matter of public safety, economic justice and quality of life.  

Finally, it’s way past time that we start fully investing in biking infrastructure, and viewing it as a public accommodation just as we do parks, transit and public schools. I ride almost daily, so I understand the danger of cycling in Chicago, especially on the West Side, where protected bike lanes are few. We need to install well-designed, dedicated bike lanes, so that cyclists feel safe on our streets. By investing in viable alternatives to automobiles, we can reduce congestion and make getting around Chicago faster and more pleasant for everyone.

Do you or members of your family regularly use sidewalks, bike, take transit, drive, or a combination of any/all to get around? Does this correspond with your preferred/ideal modes of getting around? If not, what barriers do you and your family face in using your preferred mode of transportation?

We use all of those modes of transportation to get around. Our preferred modes are biking and driving. 

Can you share a personal experience that changed your opinion about a transportation related policy matter?

When my oldest son (13 at the time) biked to soccer practice alone for the first time, it greatly changed how I viewed transportation. When he rides his bike alone, gun violence and him getting hit by a car are my main fears, and to not invest in bike safety only furthers the disinvestment and neglect that has plagued so many of our communities — including my own.

Chicago is a snowy city, and even one stretch of uncleared sidewalk can make it impassable – particularly for folks with disabilities, the elderly, and parents with young children. What is your position on implementing a universal city-wide sidewalk snow/ice removal service?

My position is plow the sidewalks.

It is now widely recognized and understood that interstate highways were used to physically divide urban communities from one another – often along racial and class lines. How do you propose we overcome these divisions to restore the urban fabric of Chicago and reconnect our segregated neighborhoods?

I would encourage the Chicago Housing Authority to cease any land grabs or private partnerships, and instead, develop local community processes for land use to deliver on the promises to rebuild public housing in our city. This is how the City and its people and communities can address segregation, and the housing and humanitarian crises together.

What role do you believe transportation plays in Chicago’s collective greenhouse gas emissions, climate responsibility, and overall environmental health?

A big one! Our city needs collaboration between the CTA the Chicago Department of Transportation to increase options for public transportation and transit-oriented solutions to reduce pollution and carbon emissions from car traffic. With CDOT, we must prioritize creating safer infrastructure for biking and walking accessibility for all commuters. With the CTA, we must speed up the process to electrify its bus fleet.

What is your position on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s current proposals for rebuilding North DuSable Lake Shore Drive? Do you believe the proposed designs will reduce congestion, improve transit access and make pedestrians and cyclists safer? How do you think the current proposals will impact access to the lakefront?

I'd like to have further study around the Illinois Department of Transportation's plans to improve North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive. It’s essential that we better manage car traffic and increase pedestrian, bike, and wheelchair access along the lakefront. In doing so, however, we must have 1) transparency and 2) the voices of those who benefit from NDLSD's natural purpose (lakefront green space) at the table.

What barriers do you believe the Illinois Department of Transportation presents to Chicago pursuing better safe streets design standards and transit investments? How do you plan to work with City Council, the Governor, and State legislators to overcome these barriers?

Unlike the current mayoral administration, I have positive and respectful relationships at all levels of city and state government. I view the Illinois Department of Transportation as a partner in pursuing safer street design, but will always have the City of Chicago as a priority. This means that IDOT needs to broaden its scope in terms of construction and infrastructure, because anything that isn't beneficial for our city and residents is a non-starter.

The 99-year parking meter deal enacted by former Mayor Richard M. Daley has been a barrier to enacting safe street designs by privatizing large portions of Chicago’s streets. What is your plan to address this?

Privatization is rarely, if ever, the answer I will actively look for ways to bring common sense and equity to generating revenue so we're benefiting taxpayers instead of burdening them.

Studies show us that speed and distracted driving kill. What do you think are the most effective ways to reduce driver speed and increase safe driving behavior?

Reduced speed limits and automobile access in select areas of the city, and car-free zones in communities to promote safe walkability and recreation for children.

What is your position on the City passing ordinances that attempt to regulate the size, weight, and/or safety features of personal and private vehicles?

I support.

What is your position on establishing a dedicated funding stream for safe and universal pedestrian and bike infrastructure in Chicago?

I support.

What is your position on creating select pedestrian-only streets?

I support.

What policy solutions would you implement to ensure CTA buses operate on schedule, frequently, and quickly?

The CTA needs a vast overhaul in terms of reliability and increased access, as well as safety for workers and riders. Reducing or eliminating fares for some, and increasing access to transit will increase ridership and mass transit solvency, and increase employment in communities where unemployment rates are high. We must also be responsive to trends and feedback from CTA riders, and make changes such as increased late evening hours, trains and trips.

Considering the role the CTA, Metra, and Pace play in providing public transportation within the city, what are your plans to address the impending fiscal cliff – a deficit of over $700 million – that the agencies will be facing in 2025?

I will release a detailed transportation plan in the coming weeks that will address how we will fund these accommodations and keep our riders safe and reaching their desired destinations on time.

What is your position on establishing a network of Bus Rapid Transit lines in Chicago?

I support.

Will you commit to securing the funding necessary to implement CTA's plan to become 100% accessible according to ADA standards? (yes/no)

Yes.