Proco Joe Moreno, Candidate for 1st Ward Alderman

Joe Moreno

Candidate Full Name: Proco Joe Moreno

Office: 1st Ward Alderman

Email Address: aldermanmoreno2015@gmail.com

Web Site: www.aldermanmoreno.com

Campaign Name: Friends for Proco Joe Moreno

Campaign Office Mailing Address: 2058B N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: (773) 278-9605

Survey Questions (Character limit of 2,000 per response)

1. What is the most important issue that you will address in your ward?

The most important issue that I will address is public safety. The CPD has does a tremendous job during my term as Alderman. Index crimes have decreased 28% since 2011. Aggravated batteries have decreased by 21% over the same period. I recognized the effect that the results that this has had on our community - residents feel safe, businesses are doing well. The safe environment provides an incentive for investment in the ward. People want to turn vacant lots into unique businesses and living spaces.

2. What are your plans for helping fight crime in your ward?

While I cannot take credit for this drop in crime, I believe that the Alderman plays a role in supplementing the excellent work performed by the CPD. During my first full term, I have done that in a number of ways and will continue to perform the following work during my second term:

1. Putting pressure on irresponsible building owners. A fair amount of crime that occurs in the ward is occurs around one house. My staff and I play a critical role in ensuring that inspections are performed of buildings where residents are causing crime or bringing a nefarious element to the neighborhood. We show up to building court when these violations are reviewed, sending a message to the judge and the building owner that that not only are we aware of the problem, but we want it to stop.

2. Attending at CAPS and building relationships. Members of my staff and I regularly attend CAPS meetings. However, my office also works with the CPD to hold quarterly meetings with owners and operators of venues in our nightlife districts. Ensuring that those relationships are built and developed is a priority for me.

3. Removing graffiti. Graffiti, particularly gang graffiti, can be a danger or a sign of danger to come. I developed an innovative graffiti abatement program that was recognized by the American Public Works Association. I use campaign funds to buy materials to remove graffiti, fund graffiti removal days and paint murals.

I intend to continue this work during my second term and also would like to partner with CPD to make increased use of social media to inform residents about crime. For instance, the 14th District is the only police district with a Twitter account and has over 2,000 followers. I would like to work with CPD to expand social media use, particularly as it relates to CAPS, as I have a tech-savvy constituency that would likely utilize such tools.

3. What, if any, city assets would you consider privatizing to raise money?

Certainly, we learned as a city that one-time fixes like the parking meter deal are not a way to budget and govern. As we learned from the parking meter deal, the devil is in the details of the contracts. Consequently, I would be leery of any agreement that permanently leases assets belonging to the city.

The critical issue is that we, as a City Council, continue to manage our fiscal house. Addressing long-term debt while continuing to find ways to decrease costs and increase revenues will prevent the need to even consider one-time budget fixes commonly found in asset lease agreements.

4. Do you support or oppose the vote to increase the minimum wage in several steps to $13 an hour by 2019?

I championed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour. I am proud of the work we did as a Council to pass the minimum wage increase, but obviously wish that the result would have been higher. I will continue to fight to pass the $15 per hour ordinance.

5. Are you in favor of Chicago's Red Light Camera program?

I think that implementing technological strategies like this should be used to traffic light infractions. I supported one in the 1st ward, near Clemente High School, where a student was almost killed by a driver running a red light. However, given the recent reporting in the Chicago Tribune, which demonstrated that some motorists received citations without warrant, I have reservations about expansion of the program. The City proposed other locations in the ward that I have not supported. There was not sufficient evidence to warrant installation.