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: Jennifer Maddox
Ward: 20th
Current job: Retired
Previous political experience: None
Education: M.B.A
Spouse’s occupation: Not answered
Sources of outside income: pension
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.
Having a law enforcement background and also wearing a not for profit hat as a leader in the community, I understand both sides. Both should collaborate more and the way to do this is to build relationships to establish trust. I would connect to all of the police districts and start working with the new police councils to strategize best practices that would be helpful to support all the communities I will represent. Its not a one size fit all approach.
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.
So many young people now hate using CTA, many parents that I talk to use Uber a lot for travel especially for the transportation of their students back and forth to school. Its a safety concern. I think the bus drivers should be shielded more. I think officers should ride the buses especially in high crime areas instead of following the bus. We need to make sure the cameras are working and add audio if its not included now. Make CTA as a career more appealing to people and offer incentives just like we do for other city or government careers. Change routes often for bus drivers so they are not always in a high stressful environment all the time. Hire more and start employees off full time with benefits.
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?
There is a high turnover rate for teachers especially in schools that are challenged with over crowding and lack of resources. Schools are short staffed. Engage parents more with introducing the benefit of PAC and LSC. They need to know they have a voice with the educational growth and development of their student. Reach out to community base organizations to host workshops and activities during and after school to give the students a variety of options to choose from and mix up the day with learning and fun. Our students have very short attention span and they get frustrated and bored quickly especially if they are behind and can’t keep up with the learning curve. Need more nurses, teachers aides, social worker for case management and social emotional learning practitioners.
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.
We have moved away from being a village. People have to start valuing where they live and be an active participant. Simple roles like taking a stand, being proactive, using your voice, sharing your expertise and experience in causes that have impacted communities. This would bring back buy in and residents will fill they are included and have a seat at the table when it comes to bringing resources to everyone.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes, let’s check to make sure that properties aren’t over assessed and make sure homeowners especially our seniors that are still in their homes have the exemptions that they qualify for. Look for tax incentives, grants, breaks, caps and inform the residents of them and how to apply. Support this with workshops and follow up to do our due diligence to keep everyone properly informed.
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?
I think some have been useful. I’d like to see it spent more in blighted communities and include community input because ultimately they will be on the hook for any tax increases. Keep TIF dollars in the wards they are assigned to and if they are needed elsewhere add on a percentage that must be charged to borrow that stays in the TIF so that its not depleted. If there is a balance, figure out how to rebate or tax credit to homeowners.
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 it should be expedited. However, I do understand there is a staff shortage which limits the amount of service lines that can be installed and completed. We have to prioritize the wok orders and make sure high priorities are handled first. Hire more.
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 feel that I am most qualified because I don’t just speak about what I will do or have done, I show up in my actions for many years. I have a very good relationship with my community. I’m always supporting in person, taking phone calls, sending emails, and researching topics for community. I attend many events and I donate to many CBO’s. I lend my advise and expertise when needed and asked. I share information about resources and many times I walk people through the process from start to finish. I walk, drive the ward often. I’m super approachable, and I listen. I study other cultures and learn what impacts them and try to address with resources. I’m open minded and I am welcoming to new ideas. I keep the community informed now by handing out and sharing information about events, activities, workshops that take place in the ward.
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
We have 2 pressing issues: Public Safety and Gentrification. Stay connected to law enforcement, the police council, and build up beat meeting numbers by revamping how they are conducted. They should be more inclusive and get the community more involved in the planning process and get them focused on block by block initiatives and strategies. Gentrification, finding tax reliefs for homeowners and caps in rent for renters so that all can feel like they are able to stay in the ward they love.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
My approach to support the ward speaks in the actions that I have always been doing like: being connected to community, being transparent, being informative, and being visible. Introduce policy that supports all income levels and issues of concern. Keep lines of communication open and educate the community on the process of city hall and city council.
