LEARN ABOUT SUSANNA'S PLANS AND PLATFORMS
SUSANNA'S PLANS FOR THE 45TH WARD
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSANNA'S STANCE ON EDUCATION
We should unequivocally be supporting our public schools; our children are tomorrow’s future. Chicago’s students deserve strong, fully-resourced public schools with leaders they can trust. There are many reasons enrollment is declining, including lower birth rates, less immigration, and families leaving the city because of a lack of affordable housing. However, I think one of the most influential reasons families aren’t choosing CPS is because of a lack of trust. We need to build back trust with our students and their families.
To do that, families must know that their students are in safe, healthy, and effective classrooms where the resources learners need to thrive, including librarians, nurses, aides, and counselors, are easily accessible; where pre-school and after-school programming create a comprehensive learning environment for families; where classroom sizes allow for the individual relationships and instruction that children and teachers need to succeed. To do that, we must not close schools, but invest in them by prioritizing funding for education and making sure existing funding is being used wisely.
Special education and English-language learning support should never be an issue. Lack of reliable transportation, especially for children with disabilities, should never be an issue. Safe, affordable, accessible local housing should never be an issue. We can build trust by removing these barriers through policies that support Chicago’s working families.
We have talented teachers and administrators in this district who need to be empowered and supported so they can do their jobs and provide the high quality education our students deserve. We need solutions that help our district retain teachers and prevent burn out. Those solutions start by listening to teachers and school administrators and giving them what they need instead of what we think they need.
To do that, families must know that their students are in safe, healthy, and effective classrooms where the resources learners need to thrive, including librarians, nurses, aides, and counselors, are easily accessible; where pre-school and after-school programming create a comprehensive learning environment for families; where classroom sizes allow for the individual relationships and instruction that children and teachers need to succeed. To do that, we must not close schools, but invest in them by prioritizing funding for education and making sure existing funding is being used wisely.
Special education and English-language learning support should never be an issue. Lack of reliable transportation, especially for children with disabilities, should never be an issue. Safe, affordable, accessible local housing should never be an issue. We can build trust by removing these barriers through policies that support Chicago’s working families.
We have talented teachers and administrators in this district who need to be empowered and supported so they can do their jobs and provide the high quality education our students deserve. We need solutions that help our district retain teachers and prevent burn out. Those solutions start by listening to teachers and school administrators and giving them what they need instead of what we think they need.
SUSANNA'S THOUGHTS ON TIF REFORM
While Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts in the 45th Ward are now sunsetted, we need to think about how the City of Chicago utilizes TIF Districts moving forward. TIF can be a successful economic tool when used appropriately. TIF Districts are created specifically to catalyze economic development and create equity, and often in Chicago this has not been the case. In the past, the problems associated with TIFs outweigh their usefulness. However, certain reforms can be put into place to make them more effective.
Reforming the TIF program would include making the system much more transparent. It needs to be clear to citizens how much money is being diverted from our schools, parks, and other resources and where the money is going (e.g. which developers, which projects, etc.). Residents also need to understand how specific projects benefit the overall community and ensure that they actually stimulate economic development - they should not be utilized solely for public works. We also need to be more aware of how much of these funds are being diverted from schools in particular, especially in poorer districts: we should probably be diverting less (if at all) from those schools. Importantly, TIF districts should only be employed in areas where they are truly needed and there is notable blight - not in our downtown area or or wealthiest neighborhoods, where many are located today.
The timeframe that TIFS exist today should also probably be reduced: rather than 20+ years, it could potentially be reduced to less than 10 years. All development that comes about as a result of TIFs should guarantee work at living wages with benefits at market rates. And finally, tax bills should openly reflect how much of an owner’s property taxes are being diverted into a TIF.
Reforming the TIF program would include making the system much more transparent. It needs to be clear to citizens how much money is being diverted from our schools, parks, and other resources and where the money is going (e.g. which developers, which projects, etc.). Residents also need to understand how specific projects benefit the overall community and ensure that they actually stimulate economic development - they should not be utilized solely for public works. We also need to be more aware of how much of these funds are being diverted from schools in particular, especially in poorer districts: we should probably be diverting less (if at all) from those schools. Importantly, TIF districts should only be employed in areas where they are truly needed and there is notable blight - not in our downtown area or or wealthiest neighborhoods, where many are located today.
The timeframe that TIFS exist today should also probably be reduced: rather than 20+ years, it could potentially be reduced to less than 10 years. All development that comes about as a result of TIFs should guarantee work at living wages with benefits at market rates. And finally, tax bills should openly reflect how much of an owner’s property taxes are being diverted into a TIF.
SUSANNA'S STANCE ON DEVELOPMENT & ZONING CHANGES
Any major development proposals would be presented at a community meeting, open to all. Additionally, specific input would be sought from all local registered neighborhood organizations and business associations (Chambers of Commerce, etc.) within that community. Any neighbors within 250 feet of a zoning change are required by ordinance to receive written notification, and the aldermanic office would follow up with this notification separately if the development will have significant impact on their properties.
All new developments should ensure continued economic diversity in our communities and be accessible, so our residents are not forced to leave the community due to rising housing costs or inaccessibility. Finally, residents would be welcome to visit the office during regularly scheduled Ward Nights to voice any further thoughts or concerns.
My work as part of the resident resource group (community liaison) to our Milwaukee Corridor Master Plan prepared me to think about how we reimagine our business districts in a way that is amenable to everyone. We have a great opportunity to reimagine our future in the 45th Ward, and hundreds of community members spent hundreds of hours creating that vision. We should capitalize on that work, bringing community groups back to the table to execute on our ideas, which have not been addressed for several years.
When we think about the future of our communities, we need a careful balance between development and preservation, so that we can grow while maintaining the character of our great neighborhoods. More people are drawn to areas that offer enticing and active streetscapes, which should be a goal for us. My work in preservation, the new urbanist movement, and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development have prepared me to take on these challenges with a critical eye while listening to the needs of our residents.
All new developments should ensure continued economic diversity in our communities and be accessible, so our residents are not forced to leave the community due to rising housing costs or inaccessibility. Finally, residents would be welcome to visit the office during regularly scheduled Ward Nights to voice any further thoughts or concerns.
My work as part of the resident resource group (community liaison) to our Milwaukee Corridor Master Plan prepared me to think about how we reimagine our business districts in a way that is amenable to everyone. We have a great opportunity to reimagine our future in the 45th Ward, and hundreds of community members spent hundreds of hours creating that vision. We should capitalize on that work, bringing community groups back to the table to execute on our ideas, which have not been addressed for several years.
When we think about the future of our communities, we need a careful balance between development and preservation, so that we can grow while maintaining the character of our great neighborhoods. More people are drawn to areas that offer enticing and active streetscapes, which should be a goal for us. My work in preservation, the new urbanist movement, and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development have prepared me to take on these challenges with a critical eye while listening to the needs of our residents.
SUSANNA'S TRANSPORTATION POLICY
Transportation issues do not sit in isolation. When transportation fails, it hurts our ability to work toward a cleaner environment, healthier citizens, a safer public realm, and equitable housing. My heavy involvement in my community over the last 20+ years has made me acutely aware of this, and I will continue to fight for these causes alongside all transportation issues.
Our active transportation priorities in the 45th Ward are clear. With the largest transportation center outside the Loop in the center of our Ward, we will be working hard to get our citizens back on the CTA. While the nationwide transit operator shortage is a big factor in many of these issues, we should remove financial barriers for potential professional bus operators. For example, free training and assistance could be offered to obtain CDL permits. The suburban PACE organization is doing exactly this through community colleges, and Chicago could potentially do the same.
The CTA has reduced the cost of passes to make access to employment, education, medical care, and other critical resources more affordable for our residents. That’s a good start. However, if people are afraid to ride, it does no good. Crime is an obvious deterrent to bringing passengers back to transit, and we need to find a way to combat it more effectively. Ultimately, this means that the best way to reduce crime is to find ways to entice people to ride the CTA again. This may be through financial incentives and through partnerships with businesses and organizations who offer discounts to those who use transit.
Additionally, we need to add more protected bike lanes, particularly along Milwaukee Avenue, the deadliest street for bicyclists in Chicago. We need to increase pedestrian safety along major thoroughfares, especially those that abut parks, such as Lawrence Avenue and Irving Park Road, which means collaboratively working with IDOT. Finally, we need to ensure that we have equitable development near our transit nodes, so more residents have access to all parts of our city. My position as the former Director of Community Development for Jefferson Park Forward emphasized these modes of transportation as well as equitable housing and TOD. I am committed to ensuring that we have safe, equitable modes of active transportation throughout the Ward.
Our active transportation priorities in the 45th Ward are clear. With the largest transportation center outside the Loop in the center of our Ward, we will be working hard to get our citizens back on the CTA. While the nationwide transit operator shortage is a big factor in many of these issues, we should remove financial barriers for potential professional bus operators. For example, free training and assistance could be offered to obtain CDL permits. The suburban PACE organization is doing exactly this through community colleges, and Chicago could potentially do the same.
The CTA has reduced the cost of passes to make access to employment, education, medical care, and other critical resources more affordable for our residents. That’s a good start. However, if people are afraid to ride, it does no good. Crime is an obvious deterrent to bringing passengers back to transit, and we need to find a way to combat it more effectively. Ultimately, this means that the best way to reduce crime is to find ways to entice people to ride the CTA again. This may be through financial incentives and through partnerships with businesses and organizations who offer discounts to those who use transit.
Additionally, we need to add more protected bike lanes, particularly along Milwaukee Avenue, the deadliest street for bicyclists in Chicago. We need to increase pedestrian safety along major thoroughfares, especially those that abut parks, such as Lawrence Avenue and Irving Park Road, which means collaboratively working with IDOT. Finally, we need to ensure that we have equitable development near our transit nodes, so more residents have access to all parts of our city. My position as the former Director of Community Development for Jefferson Park Forward emphasized these modes of transportation as well as equitable housing and TOD. I am committed to ensuring that we have safe, equitable modes of active transportation throughout the Ward.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
Chicagoans have experienced a major uptick in property tax bills this year, due to rising levies, TIF district funding, rising property assessments, and some shifts in state laws. This is causing significant financial pressure to many Chicago residents, particularly to those in the middle class and working families. I am in support of giving Chicagoans property tax relief, especially where it is needed the most.
Recently, in City Council, two Alderpeople (Rodriguez and Hadden) proposed using unallocated COVID-19 funds as forgivable loans to soften the blow. While this is a temporary solution, I would definitely be in support of this measure, as it would keep people in their homes until we can devise a more long term solution.
Additionally, we should also be questioning the three-member Cook County Board of Review, who dramatically shifted the burden from commercial to residential properties last year. Residential properties bore the brunt of the shift, taking on much more of the tax load. This, along with the very inequitable shifting of tax burdens in certain neighborhoods, should be examined closely. We want to understand the rationale behind these decisions so this does not become a perennial issue.
There are also existing solutions for relief offered by the state that our residents should know about, particularly our senior citizens and those with disabilities. These solutions are simply a matter of education (the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral and the Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption).
Recently, in City Council, two Alderpeople (Rodriguez and Hadden) proposed using unallocated COVID-19 funds as forgivable loans to soften the blow. While this is a temporary solution, I would definitely be in support of this measure, as it would keep people in their homes until we can devise a more long term solution.
Additionally, we should also be questioning the three-member Cook County Board of Review, who dramatically shifted the burden from commercial to residential properties last year. Residential properties bore the brunt of the shift, taking on much more of the tax load. This, along with the very inequitable shifting of tax burdens in certain neighborhoods, should be examined closely. We want to understand the rationale behind these decisions so this does not become a perennial issue.
There are also existing solutions for relief offered by the state that our residents should know about, particularly our senior citizens and those with disabilities. These solutions are simply a matter of education (the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral and the Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption).
EMPHASIS ON THE ARTS & COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACES
The 45th Ward has fantastic performance theaters, museums, public art, and murals that rival those throughout neighborhoods in the city. Art forms can transform plain buildings and architecture as well as give residents a strong sense of pride in spaces by beautifying a common environment. Encouraging creativity offers artists a way to create spaces that attract other artists, pedestrian traffic, and ultimately economic activity.
My work to bring Open House Chicago to the Northwest Side (working with the Chicago Architecture Center) was a success for our local business districts. Additionally, I worked collaboratively to help establish art installations at the rivers along Irving Park Road, which drove interest and foot traffic to local parks and surrounding business corridors.
As a strong promoter of our theaters, museums, and art festivals, I have directly seen how it impacts our economy and how it brings more people into our neighborhoods. As more people see what we have to offer, the area will become more desirable for new residents and small businesses, who understand the importance of diverse amenities. We can couple these amenities with public spaces that celebrate community. When we are interacting with our neighbors directly and building bonds, we will be driven by a desire to make our Ward better for all.
My work to bring Open House Chicago to the Northwest Side (working with the Chicago Architecture Center) was a success for our local business districts. Additionally, I worked collaboratively to help establish art installations at the rivers along Irving Park Road, which drove interest and foot traffic to local parks and surrounding business corridors.
As a strong promoter of our theaters, museums, and art festivals, I have directly seen how it impacts our economy and how it brings more people into our neighborhoods. As more people see what we have to offer, the area will become more desirable for new residents and small businesses, who understand the importance of diverse amenities. We can couple these amenities with public spaces that celebrate community. When we are interacting with our neighbors directly and building bonds, we will be driven by a desire to make our Ward better for all.
Ward Redistricting, Voter Choice, and Transparency
Today the Chicago City Council redistricts their areas behind closed doors without input from the people of Chicago. This generally leads to Alderpeople merely trying to retain their fiefdoms without thought about how detrimental it may be for our communities. Some communities are splintered into multiple districts, making it difficult to create cohesive plans. This can create a barrier to economic growth, housing, and effective transportation management. The people of Chicago have a right to be able to provide feedback on how their districts will look moving forward. If they are not allowed to do this, then leaders will continue to draw lines that protect their incumbency. It becomes about them, and not us.
The process should give consideration to true communities of interest. To the extent possible, but secondary to the protection of voting rights, populations with common social, ethnic or economic interests should have unified representation. This should be a rudimentary and basic rule to follow when redistricting. We saw this in Chicago - the idea that a large historic community such as Englewood could be splintered into so many different districts is unacceptable. This makes it impossible for the district to make cohesive plans for economic development, housing, transportation, and community organizing.
The process must also be transparent and accountable. Meetings of decision-makers and their legal, political, and mapping consultants must be open and accessible to the public to the greatest extent possible. The criteria used to draw maps must be objective, clear and justifiable, and districts must be drawn to offer voter choice. Communications related to the redistricting process should be subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Clear conflict-of-interest rules must be adopted and applied.
In addition to the redistricting process, voters should be able to get the broadest choices. We should not enable situations where someone may be elected even though the majority of the population was not in favor of them. The person who is elected should always be the favored candidate among the majority. I would advocate for bringing a fairer system such as ranked-choice voting.
In 2021, I was involved in providing community feedback to the Redistricting Commission for the People's Map, and it was a fair, equitable process. The Commission took all of our suggestions under advisement and made changes as necessary. All of us were able to express our concerns as it related to our broader communities. When much confusion surrounded all the maps being discussed at City Council, I invited Change Illinois to come to our community to educate us on what was happening. Having the education proved invaluable, but what everyone really wanted was an actual voice. My community made that clear. Our current leadership gave us NO information about what was being submitted, and it was extremely frustrating for our neighborhoods. In the future, officials should be required to inform residents about what decisions they are making and why.
Getting involved with CHANGE Illinois and the People's Map was one of the key reasons that I chose to run for Alderperson. The Redistricting Council as well as hundreds of community members put so much time and effort into creating maps that were representative of the needs of the people - only to have them mostly disregarded. It was fortunate that some of the suggestions were included (particularly by the Latino Caucus), but it did not go far enough. I am passionate about creating political maps that will truly represent the best needs of our communities and not simply be a tool for those in office to retain their power. The education and the information provided by the Redistricting Commission was invaluable, and it surpassed anything that regular citizens had been provided in the past. Our political leadership was completely silent on the process. We all found out that our Ward was going to be gerrymandered at the 11th hour - and many of us are very, very unhappy about it. I invited CHANGE Illinois to come to our community to help us understand the redistricting process and what was happening at City Council. If all of our elected officials could bring this type of transparency and professionalism to our communities, we could finally have a system by and for the people.
The process should give consideration to true communities of interest. To the extent possible, but secondary to the protection of voting rights, populations with common social, ethnic or economic interests should have unified representation. This should be a rudimentary and basic rule to follow when redistricting. We saw this in Chicago - the idea that a large historic community such as Englewood could be splintered into so many different districts is unacceptable. This makes it impossible for the district to make cohesive plans for economic development, housing, transportation, and community organizing.
The process must also be transparent and accountable. Meetings of decision-makers and their legal, political, and mapping consultants must be open and accessible to the public to the greatest extent possible. The criteria used to draw maps must be objective, clear and justifiable, and districts must be drawn to offer voter choice. Communications related to the redistricting process should be subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Clear conflict-of-interest rules must be adopted and applied.
In addition to the redistricting process, voters should be able to get the broadest choices. We should not enable situations where someone may be elected even though the majority of the population was not in favor of them. The person who is elected should always be the favored candidate among the majority. I would advocate for bringing a fairer system such as ranked-choice voting.
In 2021, I was involved in providing community feedback to the Redistricting Commission for the People's Map, and it was a fair, equitable process. The Commission took all of our suggestions under advisement and made changes as necessary. All of us were able to express our concerns as it related to our broader communities. When much confusion surrounded all the maps being discussed at City Council, I invited Change Illinois to come to our community to educate us on what was happening. Having the education proved invaluable, but what everyone really wanted was an actual voice. My community made that clear. Our current leadership gave us NO information about what was being submitted, and it was extremely frustrating for our neighborhoods. In the future, officials should be required to inform residents about what decisions they are making and why.
Getting involved with CHANGE Illinois and the People's Map was one of the key reasons that I chose to run for Alderperson. The Redistricting Council as well as hundreds of community members put so much time and effort into creating maps that were representative of the needs of the people - only to have them mostly disregarded. It was fortunate that some of the suggestions were included (particularly by the Latino Caucus), but it did not go far enough. I am passionate about creating political maps that will truly represent the best needs of our communities and not simply be a tool for those in office to retain their power. The education and the information provided by the Redistricting Commission was invaluable, and it surpassed anything that regular citizens had been provided in the past. Our political leadership was completely silent on the process. We all found out that our Ward was going to be gerrymandered at the 11th hour - and many of us are very, very unhappy about it. I invited CHANGE Illinois to come to our community to help us understand the redistricting process and what was happening at City Council. If all of our elected officials could bring this type of transparency and professionalism to our communities, we could finally have a system by and for the people.
FOUR-POINT PLATFORM FOR BETTERING THE 45TH WARD
Fair and Equitable Constituent Services |
Everyone deserves to be treated as a valued member of their community. Under recent neighborhood leadership, we have been divided into groups of “us” against “them.” As someone who has worked with organizations across the Ward, I will be able to facilitate productive, respectful conversation and produce viable solutions. All our neighbors deserve a voice in our government, not just a select few. As our first Alderwoman, I will give all interested civic groups a seat at the table, provide city services to everyone who needs them, emphasize community collaboration and unity, and ensure economic opportunities exist for everyone.
READ SUSANNA'S PLAN
No one knows everything, but together we know a lot. To ensure that everyone has a voice in the ward, I will establish volunteer advisory committees that will partner with community representatives to address our biggest challenges. These committees will bring subject-matter experts to the table to ensure we are making the most educated decisions. Advisory committees will include (but are not limited to): public safety, education, zoning/development, street safety, and community engagement. |
Support of Local Business and Chambers of Commerce |
As a Ward, we all want to support our neighborhood businesses and enjoy a thriving local economy. Unfortunately, we’ve allowed vacant storefronts to become the norm. To address these concerns, I will ensure funding for local business organizations and help area groups collaborate more successfully. Sensible development that actually addresses the needs of the neighborhood must be our standard.
READ SUSANNA'S PLAN
I am fully committed to inviting all formal business organizations in the Ward to work collaboratively with the alderperson’s office. The more voices and working hands there are to roll up their sleeves for our communities, the better. When our business organizations are left unfunded or ignored, we cannot reach our fullest potential. Our business districts have experienced unimaginable hardships over the last few years and, unfortunately, we have not been proactively working toward addressing some of the most pressing economic challenges facing our small business owners. These hardships include closures during the earlier stages of the pandemic, an economic downturn, inflation, and supply chain issues. Within the last few years, our communities assembled master plans to address design, character, transportation and economic development in some of our key business districts. Led by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the 45th Ward, the Jefferson Park Station Area Master Plan was completed in 2018, and covered a market area from Montrose to Bryn Mawr and Austin to Cicero. Community group liaisons like myself sat on the main resource committee, and all residents were invited to multiple community engagement sessions over the course of 18 months. The Gladstone Park Corridor Study (along Milwaukee from Northwest Highway to the city limits) was completed in 2017. Both of these plans involved hundreds of hours of work from their respective communities and were financed by taxpayer dollars. We should revisit these plans with our local neighborhood groups, business organizations, and city officials to start working toward a better future. As a historian, I have a passion for moving our community forward while preserving our heritage and the character of the area. Too often, we don’t think boldly about how to creatively adapt existing structures to the present economic realities of the world we are living in today. Many empty storefronts don’t need to be left vacant and unused; they can be rezoned for uses better suited to our community’s current needs. . While we always want to encourage people to shop locally, the advent of online shopping through discount stores has shifted consumer habits. Some of our commercial spaces may be better suited to residential moving forward, to ensure that we don’t have vacant properties and that we have enough residents to patronize our current business base. We need to work harder to set up our business organizations for success. This also should include support for our delegate agencies for Special Service Areas. I will ensure that they have adequate funding and that we are making the most of our citizens’ and business owners’ tax dollars. As the TIFs have sunsetted in the 45th Ward, we are going to have to find new and creative ways to keep our business districts afloat. We will no longer be able to rely upon SBIF funds or any general TIF money for improvements. I will work closely with City Council to find alternate revenue streams and collaborate with adjacent wards to ensure continuity on our commercial avenues in 30, 33, 38, 39, and 41. Finally, I will encourage our communities to support small businesses. Leadership can find ways to ensure that our business owner’s needs are tended and their services touted. Promoting our businesses through local festivals and events around the holidays such as “Small Business Saturday” should be the norm. As alderwoman, you will see me happily patronizing local businesses, as I have since I moved into the 45th Ward well over 20 years ago. |
Active Collaboration for Safer Communities |
We all want safer communities. However, solving the crime and violence problems facing the City of Chicago cannot be done on a ward-by-ward basis, nor from the backseat. I’m prepared to collaborate with City Council colleagues to promote holistic solutions to our urgent public safety concerns. I will also proactively foster stronger relationships between our community and our first responders.
READ SUSANNA'S PLAN
The rise in violent crime over the last two years is not unique to Chicago, but it is one of the top concerns of our residents and it must be addressed. I will advocate for a multi-faceted approach to public safety that includes fully funding our first responders, making it easier for residents and first responders to access mental health resources, collaborating with gun violence prevention organizations, and funding more community based social service resources. We need more investment in our community violence intervention initiatives and the organizations that promote them. As a volunteer at a nonviolence program on the West Side, I have seen firsthand that these programs work, and the statistics back that up. These programs operate at the neighborhood level and are led by people with strong ties to their communities. The success of these programs is predicated on sustained support from partners in government. We all have concerns about having adequate public safety resources to keep us safe. Our police districts are experiencing a shortage of officers, creating long response times and an exhausted force. We have situations now where our EMTs are trying to provide medical assistance, arriving on the scene before our police force due to staffing. They are unable to help those in need, as they are not equipped to manage violent and dangerous situations. To remedy our current shortage of officers, we need to establish new ways to entice people to become part of our police force as well as retain the services of experienced officers. I will support solutions including relaxing some of the more stringent requirements for entry into the Training Academy and retention bonuses and perks. We also need to ensure that canceled days off and 11-day workweeks are the exception and not the norm. Finally, residents and business owners know what’s happening on their blocks. The new District Councils will be a valuable resource to better engage residents in crime prevention. As these councils are instated, our city will be able to harness their guidance as we collectively work to create safer neighborhoods. With so many first responders in the 45th Ward, we should be able to find a better way to work shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors and fellow citizens. |
Consistent, Inclusive, and Clear Communication |
Our community deserves to know how our elected leaders are representing us in City government. I am committed to accessible, respectful and proactive communication with residents. I will work to understand the diverse needs of our varied neighborhoods and execute on improvement plans collaboratively. Our citizens should understand not only what is happening locally, but also what legislation is being considered in City Council and how it impacts the Ward. We should also have a full understanding of the committees where our alderpeople have impact.
READ SUSANNA'S PLAN
One of my first priorities will be to bring back “Ward Nights.” These meetings will happen on a regular cadence, and anyone will be welcome to engage with me directly. We will also establish a formalized, regularly held civic night where leaders from community orgs from across the Ward are brought together to communicate in an open forum with the Ward office and each other. We will also have broader community meetings to invite public input on matters including safety, new zoning, or broad based benevolent/charitable events. When crucial legislation is proposed in City Council, you deserve to know what is happening. I am committed to ensuring you understand the work being done in City Council committees and at a council level. When I am alderperson, you will know what legislation I am proposing (or introducing) or voting on and how it will impact our community. |
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