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: Proco “Joe” Moreno
Ward: 1st
Current job: Principal, Aztec Graphics Group (AGG)
Previous political experience: 1st Ward Alderman, 4/10- 5/19, Democratic Committeeman, 9/12-9/20
Education: Augustana College, BA DePaul University, MBA
Spouse’s occupation: N/A
Sources of outside income: AGG, Moreno Consulting, apt rental
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.
I presented my SPECIFIC Public Safety Plan, at a community forum last month. I am the only candidate in the 1st ward to provide a broad, specific plan, not rhetoric.
My safety and security plan includes many items, that I achieved, side by side with the community, when I was Alderman. As our constituents rightfully demand solutions to combat the out-of-control crime in our ward, I offer specific solutions, not rhetoric. We need to bring our ward back to the stability and growth that we once experienced. And then, move our ward forward. Specifics are below:
Immediately allocate up to $4M, from the Aldermanic Menu Fund, spread across four years, to build a state-of-the-art Satellite 12th District Satellite Police station, on the 800 block of N. Wood Street, where the former 13th district once stood.
Bring back our Beat Patrol Officers to Chicago Ave and Division St. -Fully fund CVI’s such as Chicago Cred, READI, and Communities partnering for peace.
Advocate strongly with the Administration to acquire additional police for our Ward.
Increase funding in the City budget, for mental health services for constituents as well as for police women and men.
Travel with our police commanders, at night, to personally collaborate, to point out problematic areas in the ward.
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.
We need new leadership at the CTA. The CTA also has the budget to hire 100’s of police officers instead of hiring unarmed “security” guards.
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?
In writing, I supported bringing a Wall to Wall International Baccalaureate program to Roberto Clemente High School (the Chicago Teachers Union opposed the plan). The school had been on probation for over 10 years. In less than two years after the program was installed, the school rose to level 2+. These types of programs have such merit, they should be expanded city-wide.
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.
In cannot be a piece mail approach. Attracting investors and developers with a large scale Planned Development, with significant tax incentives (think Lathrop Homes “south/west”). We were able to revitalize Lathrop Homes, after over a decade of “delays” because of politics. There were many interests – Affordable housing and CHA advocates, Historic Preservation advocates, and neighbors to the project that advocated for market rate development. We were able to suffice all interests (no interest got 100% of what they wanted), as well as provide retail and the first ever, Project Labor Agreement in the history of the CHA.
Do you support giving Chicagoans property tax relief? If yes, please explain how you would accomplish it. If no, please explain why not.
Yes…. by greatly expanding the TOD ordinance (that I originally authored and passed) and making it easier to get these projects approved through zoning and permitting
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 intent of TIF’s is noble. However, they have been abused as their initial intent is to fund blighted areas. By now, the portion of the Milwaukee Avenue TIF in the 1st ward should probably be shut down, with the funds returning to the taxing bodies. When I was Alderman, I pledged to only use TIF dollars for affordable housing and for our schools. Private development did not need TIF dollars and we were able to reinvigorate Milwaukee Avenue between Western and Sacramento Avenue.
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?
Not answered.
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 am kind of “in the middle” of this question. I am not the incumbent, but I did serve for almost 10 years. Please see my below answer to your question- “Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)?”
What is the most pressing issue facing the people of your ward, and how would you address it?
Public safety…. period. Please see above, how I would address it head-on.
Sum up why should voters elect you and not your opponent(s)? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)
I am the only candidate in this race that has a record of accomplishment through initiatives and city-wide ordinances. I am also the only candidate that has a broad, SPECIFIC plan for public safety (please see above for my Public Safety Plan).
ME RECORD AND/Or WHAT I WILL IMPLEMENT ONCE ELECTED:
Authored, introduced and passed several CITY WIDE Ordinances including:
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) that, among other things, expanded our tax base rather than raising taxes
Earned Sick Time Ordinance that gave the ability for all workers to earn sick time off from their jobs. Prior to my Ordinance, almost 1/3 of workers could not earn a sick day off.
I raised over $80,000 annually in non-taxpayer money to fund additional services and programs in the ward, such as:
1st Ward Graffiti Removal Program, $20,000
Back to school fair (served over 1000 families), $25,000
Snow removal and additional, year-round, constituent services, $35,000
I allocated millions of dollars for infrastructure to our public schools and parks to build brand new fields, field houses and playgrounds. Some of those funds went towards: Wells High School, Lasalle II School, Pritzker School, Sabin School, Clemente High School, Chase School, Maplewood Park, and Goethe School.
