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

The greatest challenges I see are accessibility of public transit in underserved areas, overall safety, and infrequent service. I entirely agree with diverting TIF funds for large scale and far reaching projects to invest in CTA rail on the far south side. This is a major step towards equitable transit, and will create many more union jobs both during construction and for CTA. Especially if the majority of city council agree on the investment. I would like to include that the 33rd ward incumbent voted against this investment.

Buses and trains have to run no matter what. So this could be an opportunity to revamp the system to create a universal right to access to transit. Potentially further funding from the Federal or State government could be provided to cover the revenue lost through fare collection. This would make fare free for all users and would remove a point of conflict requiring police response or CTA employees to forcibly remove those who refuse to pay. For residents who live in transit deserts or areas that are underserved, this would relieve some cost they experience on a daily basis.

The system could be similar to the U-pass where college students can ride the CTA unlimited number of times, and access new areas where they can work, shop, learn, and play.

Along with other initiatives to reduce workload on police, this may be a good opportunity to include police. Seeing uniformed officers on platforms and on trains and buses would make people feel safer.

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?

I bike frequently but also drive as I have 2 young children to move around. I take the train as often as I can when I go to work at City Hall. I wish I could bike more however my schedule and obligations limit that as an option. I live significantly far from City Hall so it would be a difficulty to bike there.

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

As a young person in college, I thoroughly used my U-Pass to travel to parts of the City I had never seen. My wife also spent a lot of time discovering the city in this way. There was a freedom of movement allowed by having the unlimited use. I think that the city is at a point where we have to come up with interesting solutions to make the city attractive and equitable. More recently I took a bus after waiting forever for it to arrive. The driver hurried everyone aboard without taking fares because it was cold out, I still paid out of principle. It dawned on me that whether there are passengers or not, these buses still had to run. We may not be able to change where people live or work, but we can provide access to transit.

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?

The logistics of such a program seems nearly impossible. I believe most property owners do arrange for snow removal, but I am aware that some residents may have difficulty accomplishing this. I believe organizing volunteers and paying young people would be a good way to accomplish this task at a neighborhood level instead of city-wide. There are certain locations that have no property owner abutting the sideway which creates a situation where no one clears the sidewalk. I think the alderperson's office should focus on these areas, bridges, pedestrian islands, vacant city lots, etc for volunteers. We should also be enforcing laws that require timely clearing of snow when business or private entities are responsible.

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 believe we should utilize the spaces if available for shared artwork that connects the neighboring communities. I also would like to focus on making more integrated communities by encouraging economic development through building of a mix of housing on city owned vacant land. I wish to work with local developers to build affordable and market rate housing in areas that have large vacant lots.

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

I believe transportation plays a small role, however we should be focusing on electrifying our fleets both with CTA and other sister agencies. Creating a universal right to transit access could encourage more people to stop driving.

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 fear that access to the lakefront will be reduced but additional on-ramps and tolls will be not be received well. I completely agree with creating a safer environment for cyclists and adding staging areas so that accidents can be removed from the traffic lanes or people can pull their cars over for assistance.

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?

I would like to focus on funding for CTA and creating a program for universal access to transit. I will work with out Legislators and Governor to find that funding. I would like to engage transit stakeholders and policy groups to understand what other issues are on the agenda to support with policy options.

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?

I would like to review the legal options we have for this deal before providing an opinion. I do not believe in creating a plan that is not rooted in feasibility and legal standing. Aside from that I do believe in making streets safer which may include protected bike lanes and curb extensions that may reduce the parking spaces available for the private entity managing this deal. However I would not commit to paying or replacing for the loss of parking spaces when the number and cost could be large across the whole city.

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?

We should install speed bumps around pedestrian heavy locations such as schools, community centers, and religious institutions. Reducing speed limit to 20 miles an hour on residential streets is also a good idea.

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 do not believe that the City should pass ordinances that regulate these issues. The only situation we should if there is damage to street surfaces due to the weight, in which can we should assess a penalty or increase in city sticker cost.

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

I believe the funding should remain with the Chicago Department of Transportation.

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

I can see that only working in few situations where businesses can utilize space on the street for additional seating. I would like to know more about such proposals.

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

I would encourage hiring incentives to fill vacancies in bus drivers and would advocate for dealing with bus bunching which creates greater lapses in service.

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 would like to funnel TIF funds, approved by city council, from expiring TIFs to deal with the budget deficit. I would consider an increase in taxes for providing a free universal transit system.

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

I would agree with this proposal.

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

Yes