To inform voters and to help the Chicago Tribune 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: Gloria Ann Williams
Ward: 15th
Current job: Resident Service Coordinator-Catholic Charities
Previous political experience: None
Education: B.S Criminal Justice/Master in Urban Leadership
Spouse’s occupation: N/A
Sources of outside income: None
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.
An innovative way to combat crime and what Federal agencies such as FBI have done is to utilize the services of former criminals to understand the mindset and trends of those committing said crimes. We also have violence prevention agencies who employ ex criminals and former members of street organization. These entities are paid to perform certain services. A close look should be had at their effectiveness and or redirect the funds to more pro-active measures. We the City of Chicago and all agencies need to be more proactive than reactive. While it is almost impossible to know when an incident will happen. A strong presence in trouble area could be a possible deterrent.
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.
I would work on a plan which involves the Chicago Police Department, private security agencies and violence prevention agencies receiving money from the city, county and state to patrol CTA property with a focus on problem lines and stations. I would also demand their CTA update their systems/apps to address the ghost bus and train issues. Also find out why and where the problems are with transit and promptly fix the issues.
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?
Put more resources in traditional neighborhood schools. Revamp the current curriculum and allow principals and teachers to formulate a curriculum based on the students instead of the current cookie-cutter system which is not working. Charter School have and are pulling students from traditional public schools because they are allowed to form their own curriculums with some specializing on certain education formats and career options. Allow CPS school to have that same autonomy
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.
Provide incentives to business to invest in these communities. Also listen to the residents who in turn would be consumers as well as employees on what business would work and what won’t work with the private sector to invest in employees owned and operated business which would give them the incentive to insure success
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes, I understand the hardships of maintaining taxes and other fees associated with owning property. I would enlist the services of specialist to examine some sort of tier system from single family homeowners to landlords who live in properties which are in the 2-4 unit area. Then real estate investors and developers that own and/or operate multiple properties and multi-unit building 6 or better
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?
The way TIF funds are managed now needs to be revamped so individual alderperson have more control of the TIF Funds in their ward. Right now they don’t and with the power being in the Mayors hands TIF funds have not been and are not being dispersed evenly.
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?
Yes the replacement should be expedited. I believe the most feasible way to do so is target neighborhoods and blocks specifically in low income area to replace lead filled outdated city lines and work with county, state and federal government to fund the process. Create an tax based incentive for property owners and landlords to replace in dated plumbing in their respective properties.
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.
I have twenty (20 +) years of community organizing and service under my belt. I understand the issues of the average working class family because I am one of them. No other candidate including the incumbent can match my community service record.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
I would say crime violence and economic development are equally pressing. I would work and Partner with the Chicago Police Department, Violence Prevention/Community organizations, existing private sector business, churches and interested residents to come together to develop and workable solutions.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
My 20+ years of community service history as well as policy advocacy makes me the most viable candidate
