Stephanie D. Coleman, Candidate for 16th Ward Alderman

Stephanie Coleman

Candidate Full Name: Stephanie D. Coleman

Office: 16th Ward Alderman

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

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

Economic Development

1. Develop new and affordable businesses that the community can sustain, in addition to, helping existing businesses.

2. Job creation and training

a. As of 2013, the unemployment rate for the 16th Ward which consists of Englewood. Gage Park, and Chicago Lawn is averaged at 25 percent.

3. The 16th Ward residents are not informed. as alderman, I would do a better job at informing and involving the community of any projects and developments that comes into the ward.

Using Tax Increment Finances or whatever other resources for job training available.

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

With the crime issues in Chicago, and in particular, the 16th Ward, The harsh realities are that our police departments and our community are disconnected. As alderman, I would work closer with all police commanders to find out the targeted/high crime areas and getting suggestions on what else can be done. Promote CAPS programs, block club development to build morale in the residents. We have to make more efforts to repair this relationship on both sides.

Our young people are angry and the issue is they have no other alternative to replace that anger. As alderman, I will work to bring resources that would be able to occupy their time with community driven programs.

Lastly, I would promote the incentive for additional affordable housing to attract Police Officers to live and work in the 16th Ward.

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

None. We can see why privatizing city assets does not work. For example, the Red Light Camera program, of which I'm not in favor of, because revenue generated is not being put back into the 16th Ward.

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

I support the concept of a higher minimum wage, but I am concerned with the implementation of the city's minimum wage increase. Most concerning is that fact that the minimum wage in surrounding regions is significantly lower than in Chicago, meaning that costs are increased for businesses and consumers in Chicago but not the surrounding communities, driving business across city limits. I am also concerned that this move increases the cost of doing business in the city without pairing it with necessary reforms that would bring reductions in business costs. As a result, it will be harder for our current businesses to create jobs for our residents, as well as it being harder for future employers to establish their roots in the city.

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

Absolutely NOT, it only promotes taxation and not safety.