Questions

Michele Smith Response

Vi Daley Response

Homelessness question:

Do you think enough is being done in the 43rd ward to support and provide for people who are homeless?  What do you envision as the ward's role in the City's Plan to End Homelessness, and how do you plan to engage the community to participate? 

Yes.  Right now we need to focus on healing the community.  She would have settled shelter dispute quickly.  We need to work to ensure that all programs currently in Lincoln Park are successful.  Need to end homelessness through prevention, treatment and permanent housing.

Proud of the services that are offered in the  ward, including the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.  43^rd ward has a number of other churches and agencies that serve the homeless population including Deborah’s Place, Thresholds, St. Vincent DePaul Center, Dignity Diner, as well as all the church programs.  It’s a matter of managing the services so that they are administered effectively and appropriately.

Living Wage

Large retail stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot have begun opening stores within Chicago’s city limits. The presence of big box stores has hurt small businesses while hourly wages have remained stagnant. The cost of living in Chicago is high and even with the state-wide increase in the minimum wage, current hourly wages do not pay the bills.

Last year, the Big Box Living Wage ordinance fell two votes shy of passing in the City Council.

If it is brought before the Council again, as the 43^rd ward alderman, would you support a living wage law that would require mega-retailers like Wal-Mart to pay workers a living wage of at least $10 an hour with basic health benefits?

Yes.  Better for businesses b/c other businesses don’t have to subsidize those who don’t provide living wage and healthcare.  There is a healthcare crises and all sectors need to take part. 

Did not support it would not have applied across the board.  Wants economic development for communities in Chicago.  Believes everyone should have a living wage and healthcare.  Supports state legislation.

Preservation:

SRO apartments and hotels, and Section 8 buildings are essential in keeping people from being homeless.  But SRO’s are often in poor condition, which is not good for the neighbors or the people living in the building, and Section 8 buildings are in jeopardy of being lost through expirations.  What would you do to protect these units while working to improve their condition?

Would work with LAC on how to preserve and improve these buildings.  Upkeep of rental buildings a big issue with tenants in the ward.  Would work to enforce housing laws, and work with HUD and the tenants. 

These buildings are very important communities in the ward.  Committed to maintaining this housing in the ward.  All housing should be safe and well maintained. 

Questions

Michele Smith Response

Vi Daley Response

Mayor Daley’s current affordable housing proposal calls for a 10% set aside for certain developments.  These set asides would be targeted to people at 100% or less of the Area Median Income or AMI, which is about $75,000 per year for a family of four. 

We are calling for two amendments to this proposal.  The first calls for the percentage to be increased to 15% for city land purchases and planned developments, and 20% for properties given density increases or when zoning is switched from non-residential to residential.  The second allows the set asides for families at 80% or less of the AMI.  Do you support the mayor's proposal with those two amendments?

yes

Supports idea of affordable housing.  Supports some amendments, like one dealing with condo assessments. 

Many aldermen across the city have put in place a ward-wide set-aside policy to create more affordable housing in their communities.  As alderman, would you create such a policy in the 43^rd ward?

Would ask developers to create affordable units, would be guided by practices of other aldermen.  She would need to balance desire for no new density and need for more housing for working people.

Has committed to encouraging the inclusion of affordable units in projects with more than 10 units.  Density an issue.  Inclusion of CPAN units (moderately priced condos) in a new project on LaSalle Street.

This is a question regarding resources committed to affordable housing in Chicago.  According to the Center on Tax and Budget Accountability, only 16.5% of all the funds spent by the City of Chicago in 2005 on Housing were actual City funds.  The rest was State and Federal money.  In fact, the City of Chicago ranks 22^nd out of the 51 largest US cities for investing local funds in affordable housing and community development. 

The City of Chicago could commit more local resources to dealing with the affordable housing crises in Chicago.  As 43^rd ward alderman would you play a leadership role in securing $250 million a year in city funding for creation and preservation of affordable housing?  

Yes, supports EZRA housing development program.  City needs to commit more to affordable housing, including vacant parcels, and an expansion of the Low Income Housing Trust Fund.

Supports of securing some additional funds for affordable housing and making sure the affordable housing trust fund is used effectively.

Questions

Michele Smith Response

Vi Daley Response

Children’s Memorial Hospital has operated in the Lincoln Park Community since 1882, and will be moving most of the hospital buildings to Streeterville in the next 5 years.  The ensuing development on the Children’s Memorial property will have an impact on all of Lincoln Park for years to come.  You can see on the map the size of the current campus. 

Would you, as alderman of the 43^rd ward, ensure that this re-development is balanced, offering a variety of retail opportunities, and housing that is affordable to people at all income levels, including low income and working class households?  How would you do that?

Yes.  Should be a model for new urbanism, inclusive process, does not want high density, high rise development.  Would work on a ward wide community plan with residents.

Will work to ensure that the redevelopment of the Children’s Memorial Hospital site is a balanced development that fits into the scale and character of community.  Much of the property could remain institutional.  If residential component, affordable housing issues should be addressed. 

The City of Chicago and Cook County are struggling to provide healthcare to low income individuals, and yet we are surrounded by non-profit hospitals that benefit from property tax exemptions and fee waivers, among other things.  How do you think the City of Chicago should hold those hospitals accountable to their mission to provide charity care?

Non-profit hospitals should be accountable for maintaining an appropriate level of charity care.  Children’s Memorial is a leader in charity care.  These institutions should be required to share this information, and if they are not holding up to an appropriate level, should scrutinize their non-profit benefits and exemptions.

What do you envision as the City Council’s role in creating a system of effective police accountability?

City Council has “Advise and Consent” on Police Board members.  As a prosecutor, believes you have to follow the law while enforcing the law.  Would support union contract that helps hold officers accountable. 

Police department needs greater oversight.  Favors an independent review body for the police department, and that review should be closely monitored by the City Council and the Mayor.