Response from James Cappleman

Response from Alderman Helen Shiller

Prepared questions

The 46^th ward is very diverse ethnically, racially and economically, with much tension across those differences.  What is your vision for how those differences should evolve in the ward, and how would you promote your vision?

Moved here because of diversity, will give voice to all stakeholders in the community

Uptown’s rich cultural institutions result in less tension among the diverse group

In light of the recent City Hall corruption, what steps will you take so that the business of your office is conducted in an open and honest manner?

He would fight to allow Inspector General to investigate corruption, he doesn’t support money changing hands for development in the ward

Passed ethics legislation in the past, continues to push to open up the budget process, sponsored the law to broadcast council meetings

Will you work with us and developers to identify target numbers for community residents working on construction sites beyond the Wilson Yard? How will you ensure that community people have access to construction and permanent jobs created by the ward’s numerous development projects?

Would welcome participation of qualified community residents, JUMP UP has mixed results, and he would want to find programs that work

Yes, she is working with JUMP UP.  She was the first to use TIF money for training.  There are 10 apprentices, and she’d look for training programs. 

Response from James Cappleman

Response from Alderman Helen Shiller

What is the alderman’s role in preventing major crimes such as international drug deals and gang shootings?

He or his staff will attend all CAPS meetings

Alderman’s role is to give police resources to do job and act as a conduit between police and community, create youth programs

Mayor Daley’s 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. 

An amendment 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.  A second amendment 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, and he would call for a 15% citywide set aside for developments in need of city assistance

Yes, she has in the past gotten units serving people at 60% and 80% of the AMI

Please respond to this question with a yes or no.  As 46^th ward alderman would you play a leadership role in securing $250 million a year in city funding for creation and preservation of affordable housing? 

Would work to secure money for affordable housing if other programs were served including funding for health clinics, and for programs for seniors.

Yes, will continue to secure all possible resources for affordable housing in ward and city

Response from James Cappleman

Response from Alderman Helen Shiller

What process should an alderman use to gather input from residents about new residential and commercial developments?

Would create real committees with real minutes, accountability and transparency

Wilson Yard was a model for inclusive development, All developments should fit into a vision for the community

How will you partner with constituents to preserve existing affordable housing now serving low-income families and individuals such as project based Section Eight units like Pensacola Place above the Montrose Jewel?

TIF money should be used for maintenance and preservation of existing housing, there should be community standards for management, too many hoops for people to get info on affordable housing

Will remain active with Federal and State officials to preserve, has a history of working to turn Federally subsidized buildings into co-ops.

What do you propose to do in the next 4 years to make the 46^th Ward more attractive to potential new businesses and to support existing businesses?

Would bring a range of people to the table to develop a plan to ID what Uptown has and needs, standards for design, lighting and green space

Has created retail corridors, does annual tours with brokers and meeting with the business community, has zoning task forces, started the Uptown SSA and Cleanslate

As alderman, what would you do to ensure that abusive police in our community are held accountable for their behavior?

Will work with the community and CAPS and social service agencies for answers

Will work with other aldermen to incorporate more accountability into police contract, like getting complaints tracked.  Will work for changes in the Office of Professional standards

How will you work to build relationships of mutual respect, open communication, and facilitate a voice for youth of color, homeless people and LGBT youth to be heard by the police in our neighborhood?

Police not solely responsible for building relationship.  He has a strong rapport with Commander and LGBT officers, need to bring stakeholders together to develop a plan. 

Need to show youth they are supported through peer juries, programs like Center on Halsted, anti-violence rally this past weekend

Response from James Cappleman

Response from Alderman Helen Shiller

What would you do to prevent the loss of arts groups and cultural venues from the 46^th Ward, such as the Black Ensemble Theater, Hull House, Columbia Dance, etc?

Arts patrons feel unsafe in neighborhood, el stops need to be more inviting, he would have arts festivals in Uptown, celebrate Chicago Artist Month

Uptown has done well bringing in arts: Black Ensemble Theater, Pegasus Players, Alternatives, Scrap Metal Soul

Do you support the development of a Broadway Entertainment District in the stretch between Montrose and Lawrence?  If so, how will you promote it?  If not, why not?

He would convene a group of stakeholders to decide yes or no. 

Yes, she’ll continue to work with Alderman Smith. Plans for Riviera, Aragon rehab, parking and traffic plans.  Design happening for new Wilson el. 

In our community there are Legal Permanent Residents who are waiting to start their naturalization process but, because of the $400 to $800 per person application cost, they are not able to do it.  How will you work with us in finding financial support to pay this cost of citizenship for community members who want to become citizens but cannot afford it?

Will look for Social Service agencies doing a good job and get them funding to help with this.

She is working on a referendum in City Council countering this fee increase. 

For any future subsidized housing development in the ward, will you commit to adding a market rate component, as is currently the practice throughout the rest of the City?  Why or why not?

Supports mixed income housing, Wilson Yard should have a market component

Existing affordable housing needs to be preserved, not a need for market component in all new affordable developments

Response from James Cappleman

Response from Alderman Helen Shiller

Questions from the Crowd

What is the appropriate use for the Columbus Hospital (Montrose) land?

Should be informed by Ward Development Plan

Owner will have to bring it to the community because it is a Planned Development.  Is in the Wilson Yard TIF.  Hopes parking would remain.

Explain your vote/position on the recent living wage bill?

This bill would have been thrown out in court, supports living wage

Problems with legality of proposal, concerned b/c of Wilson Yard Target.  Supports labor

Talk about the rehab of the Wilson El Station

Would use TIF $, would work with all levels of government to make it safe

Was supposed to be done in 1999, but track work needed.  Currently designs being drawn

How would you work towards a fiscally responsible city budget?

He’s fiscally conservative, would want to keep property taxes down, help for high rises that need to conform with new codes

Reads the budget, asks questions, City needs new money from other sources, structure needs to change

How would you assist ex-offenders come back to the community and get employment?

Using the Ward Redevelopment Plan, services to meet the needs of the chronically mentally ill

Uptown has a good coordinated social service network, other communities need these clusters

Do you support the Life Safety Ordinance?

Doesn’t like unfunded mandates, there should be low interest loans for building owners

Had objections to this, she and Alderman Hairston introduced moratorium

How would you inform ward residents of activities and get feedback?

Through monthly aldermanic forums, a website and committee minutes being distributed

Wilson Yard and other committees have met often, people come representing constituencies

Response from James Cappleman

Response from Alderman Helen Shiller

What do you think is the future for low income housing in the ward?

Committed to maintain subsidized and affordable housing in the ward that is well maintained

People should be able to stay in the community, need funding for affordable home ownership, and preservation, need funding for Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund

Would you increase the amount of shelter space in the community?

Supports Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness: provide support for those who need shelters, help others get out

Coordination between services important, supports clusters citywide

Do you support blue police lights in the community?

Wilson and Magnolia residents like light b/c decrease in crime, CAPS meeting announcements important

Wilson and Magnolia crime decreased but increases elsewhere, lights good but need to discuss consequences

Do you support the SMART Act?

Yes, and he would ask businesses to hire ex-offenders once they are released from prison

Yes, and should be coupled with good drug rehab programs

Do you support recycling in the ward/City?

Yes, need financial incentives for people to participate initially

Yes, pilot program will happen in 46^th ward to inform the program citywide

How would you bring fresh job opportunities to Uptown?

Need more retail, this would come from Ward Development Plan.  Find incentives to get businesses to encourage employee GED’s

Retail corridors will encourage retail development and jobs. 

What do you consider the components of a good neighborhood?

Vibrant, safe, diverse, where you can walk to shop, no panhandling

Uptown is a great unique neighborhood, character worth saving through historic preservation, maintain diversity