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

One of our city's transportation needs is the equitable and accessible public transportation. Whereas the Red Line extension is in the works towards the Southeast, the Southwest side also needs a train extension for commuters coming from 87th and Cicero with no train service for almost 4 miles east or north. As well, public parking ways in our residential streets, especially during the winter months, are overcrowded.

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?

My family regularly drives and this is our preferred mode of transportation.

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

My childhood experiences of commuting on the bus on the Southside of Chicago unfortunately made me dread public transportation. I remember how the buses and trains smelled, how people were abrasive, how the times were not reliable or the bus did not stop. I couldn't wait until I started driving. When I started taking public transportation when working downtown, I was adamant to avoid the CTA but realized how Metra stations are placed in wealthier neighborhoods. I further realized the class oppression of public transportation in Chicago.

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?

I think this is an excellent idea. In my community, many folks are seniors so not only do they need the streets to be cleared, but some are equally unable to clear them. For pedestrians such as children walking to school, it makes it unsafe when they have to walk into the street due to the sidewalks being impassable.

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?

The 18th Ward sits near I94, I55, and I294, all of which reinforce this class segregation analysis. To overcome these divisions, we make communities accessible to all by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing public and private transportation needs, and investing in diversified businesses.

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

Since gas emissions create air pollution, I am excited for our city to continue to transition to hybrid, electric, and solar modes of transportation.

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 appreciate their years' long study to gain insight about what is needed to improve this infrastructure, particularly the intention on environmental impact. Relative to vehicle commuters, I think the current design of adding designated bus lanes or toll lanes will congest transit access with no change to pedestrian and cyclists safety. I think it will impact access to the lakefront for vehicle commuter traffic especially during the summer months when the beaches are in heavy use.

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?

Some barriers are a project's length of time which decreases accessibility as well as the fair contracts given to minority and women owned businesses. It is first important that we enhance the CMS so minorities and women can access contracts.

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?

Since parking meters are not located in the 18th Ward, I will need to hear from residents and colleagues about their remedies.

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?

On our residential streets, especially in densely school populated communities, many residents want speed humps.

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?

All vehicles should be safe, foremost. Secondly, large weight vehicles overloads infrastructure capabilities; thus, regulations should include rerouting heavy vehicles, maintaining safety through seat belts, and requiring used vehicles for sale to have certain safety features.

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

It is a reasonable budget line item, especially because much of our downtown and North Side population use walkways and bikeways.

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

This wouldn't be feasible in the 18th Ward; however, I will support it where residents and businesses say it is feasible such as downtown and the West Loop where restaurant districts have formed.

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

I believe this is a staffing issue, and staff need more protection and representation around their work-related concerns.

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 am committed to scrutinizing the city's budget to avoid such fallout.

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

Bus Rapid Transit lines, or bus lanes, on 79th Street have not proven as useful or as desired as initially constructed. I think a Bus Rapid Transit line causes congestion in heavy car populated communities like the 18th Ward.

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

Yes