Seven of Chicago’s mayoral candidates convened at Chicago History Museums McCormick Hall to discuss key issues with the Asian Americans of Chicago.
PAVE (Pan Asian Voter Empowerment Coalition) invited the candidates to participate in a lightning round forum where members of the community asked questions of the mayoral hopefuls about issues important to them, such as public safety, immigration, poverty, and isolation among the elderly, language access, and funding for public schooling.
The event, which took place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., had translators for many languages so that everybody could be a part of the discussion. Kam Buckner, Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, Ja’mal Green, Brandon Johnson, Roderick Sawyer, Paul Vallas, and Willie Wilson were all present at the event.
Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not attend the forum but sent a representative to speak for her about the importance of the AAPI community in Chicago and what she has done in her past term to help them.
Public Safety
The first question was about public safety, as hate crimes against the Asian community have quadrupled since 2021.
The candidates did not fully answer the questions in regard to the Asian community in Chicago but offered robust plans on how to halt violence before it starts.
Green, Johnson, Sawyer, and Vallas all spoke of the importance of violence intervention. They all said that schools should be teaching children and giving them opportunities for gainful employment.
Green talked about a block club infrastructure, where if people had more connection to their community and leaders they could better be helped by the institution. Wilson spoke of not defunding the police, but that the police must be able to better communicate with their community.
Language Barriers
The second question was about language access. Chicago citizens speak more than 40 languages, and some people cannot get help from the city. Due to this, they are unable to get institutional help from the city. Listeners asked campaigners how they would deal with the issue of language barriers throughout the city.
All of the candidates spoke at length about the issues of city services and language. This being police and public schools not being able to accommodate enough languages to help the populations of the city. Garcia, Sawyer, and Green cited that city services must be provided in multiple languages. Johnson noted that multilingualism needs to start with the city’s youngest and that investing in bilingual education programs is what is needed.
Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, came out and said: “It’s a matter of someone just demanding it be done.” He also cited that Chicago could give teachers from other countries work visas so they could teach and live in Chicago while helping students who struggle with a language barrier. Buckner seconded that statement, adding that the best way to help those who struggle with English or Spanish is to decenter linguistic standards which keep people speaking English as a default.
Elderly Population in Chicago
The third question was about addressing poverty and isolation among the elderly in the city. What are we doing to help elders in a post-COVID society? Furthermore, what will the city, as a whole, do to aid the most vulnerable population and keep them fed and in their homes?
Vallas, Green, and Sawyer emphasized that the city needs a fully funded and functional Department of Aging. This department takes care of the elderly in Chicago. Sawyer also stated that there are tax breaks for seniors and that the city should allow them to take advantage of them. Vallas, Wilson, Buckner, and Garcia said it was very important that seniors can stay in their homes. Garcia used Meals on Wheels as an example of how this can be done.
Affordable Housing
The question of affordable housing and rent control was the next question. All but Wilson supported rent control for Chicagoans, especially those in gentrifying areas. Vallas stated that there is a need for a moratorium on foreclosure.
He also said that there are 100,000 houses in the city that could add a garden unit. Furthermore that there needs to be incentivizing for property owners to create more housing in their buildings. Johnson and Green felt that there needs to be a better path to homeownership in the city. The people should be incentivized to stay in the city to raise a family.
Immigration
Immigration was a very important topic in this debate. Not only with language barriers, but many immigrants have issues getting city services due to their immigration status.
Vallas, Buckner, and Johnson said that Chicago city services shouldn’t be given only to American citizens. Buckner stated that immigration status should be confidential upon receiving services.
“This is a human issue,” said Green, “and we will make sure we address it as such.”
Wilson emphasized that there should be an easier pathway to citizenship, but that “We have laws.”
Public School Funding
The final question was about the lack of funding for Chicago Public Schools. Green and Vallas stated that there needs to be work-study programs and opportunities for trade and tech programs. Wilson said that CPS must be fully funded; achieved by lowering taxes and increasing revenue by bringing in businesses.
Buckner and Johnson said that funding needs to be given to schools not based on property tax. Johnson emphasized the importance of abolishing selective enrollment in schools.
The mayoral hopefuls discussed issues pertinent to the city of Chicago and its residents. As the dash for the mayor heats up we must pay attention to what our candidates are saying.
By Caroline Buehler
Sources:
WBEZ: Dozens of Languages Spoken in Chicago Homes Reflect the City’s Long-Ranging Diversity by Amy Qin
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Caroline Buehler
First Inset Image Courtesy of Daniel X. O’Neil Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
