Chicago’s City Council’s Black Caucus, made up of 19 Black aldermen, is a diverse group with varying opinions and myriad ideas.
Chicago’s City Council’s Black Caucus, made up of 19 Black aldermen, is a diverse group with varying opinions and myriad ideas. Yet, the group of elected officials sometimes bands together when it comes to voting on issues affecting minorities. Last year members passed an Olympics ordinance that guaranteed employment, housing and business opportunities for minorities had the city won the 2016 Games. But more often than not, the aldermen, all of whom are up for re-election next year, disagree on what is good for the Black community, as in their less than unanimous support for the Walmart expansion. In that case, some aldermen have fought Walmart expansion within the city for years. A Defender survey of the Council Black Caucus found that while the aldermen may agree on the problems, they often have divergent views on solutions. On the issue of crime, many of the aldermen feel that the problem is economic. “Provide employment opportunities to people because if someone doesn’t have it some choose to take it from others by using violence,” said Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd). “This code of silence needs to be broken also.” “Poverty, single parent household and a lack of education all contribute to crime in the Black community,” said Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th). “To turn things around we need adequate police protection, more supervised youth activities, and the community needs to work more with schools and churches.” That view was echoed by Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th). “A lot of crime is coming from high unemployment, so more job creation would help reduce crime as well as more community involvement,” said Jackson. “More police and parental involvement is also needed.” Several aldermen, including Aldermen Walter Burnett, Deborah Graham and Emma Mitts, struck the parental involvement chord. “Parental responsibility is not there anymore and that what is needed most when dealing with crime,” said Ald. Ed. Smith (28th). “There use to be a time when kids would go to church Sunday morning instead of getting up to play basketball. Parents used to know where their kids were at all times.” The Caucus also has diverse views on how to improve Chicago Public Schools. Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th) chairs the Education Committee. “Education is the key to our plight. High crime rates in the Black community are because of a lack of education,” said Thomas. “We need to change the funding source for schools too because we cannot fund schools with property tax. We also need more magnet programs in neighborhood schools.” And while several aldermen spoke highly of neighborhood schools, they have different ideas on how to make those schools good ones. “I have a lot of schools in my ward but not all are thriving,” said Ald. Michelle Harris (8th). Better funding would help. And I don’t think school vouchers or more charter schools are the answer.” But Ald. Willie Cochran (20th) takes a different view. “We need to support teachers who want to advance their education,” said Cochran. “We also need social workers at neighborhood schools. I think the voucher program can help provide better educational opportunities for kids because no one should be forced to attend a poor performing school.” “We need more parental involvement and greater accountability from Chicago Public Schools if we are ever going to improve the quality of education especially at neighborhood schools,” said Ald. Leslie Hairston, (5th). “Education is a life or death issue for our kids, so as a community we need to take ownership of our schools and provide a better community for kids,” she said. All of the aldermen contacted by the Defender admit that lowering the unemployment rate in the city is a complex problem that cannot be attacked on just one front. “Historically, Blacks have always led the unemployment rate,” said Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th), who is seeking the position as Cook County board president. “We need to invest more in community colleges because community colleges are direct access to higher education for many Blacks.” Other aldermen suggest Blacks have to support Black businesses to create jobs, and point out how education is an important part of finding a solution. “We need to help ourselves instead waiting for others to help us,” said Thomas. “Demand that businesses employ people from the community,” said Lyle. “And train our people for green jobs that will be available in the near future is one way to improve the unemployment rate.” “Unemployment is attached to so many social issues that it is unrealistic to expect unemployment to improve without first addressing others issues associated with unemployment such as a lack of education,” said Ald. Harris. Several Black wards are at the epicenter of the home foreclosure crisis. Aldermen want the banks to reach out to their residents, but several aldermen caution homeowners in their wards to not wait until the last minute to get foreclosure help. “My ward alone has 1,300 foreclosures so this is a major problem in my ward,” said Sharon Denise Dixon of the West Side’s 24th Ward. “The bad economy and banks have a lot to do with the foreclosure problem affecting our communities. Lenders must take the lead at helping homeowners stay in their homes because there is only so much help available.” “The foreclosure crisis is a daunting one,” said Jackson. “One thing that would help is if homeowners seek help early and not wait until the last minute when generally there is not much that can be done at that point.” The aldermen are emphatic about economic development in their wards, pointing out that it is job development. “I cannot say it loud enough. When successful businesses are located in communities other businesses will follow,” said Ald. Howard Brookins (21st). “That is why I have been fighting to get City Council approval for a Walmart to come to my ward.” “Rather than wait for developers to approach us we need to be reaching out to them,” said Hairston. “This could help spur more economic development, which could lead to more jobs for residents.” “This is an ongoing problem in the Black community because every community is different and has different needs,” said Burnett. “Retail opportunities create tax revenue for the community so getting the right businesses to come to a community is important.” “Despite some news reports to the contrary, Walmart has been nothing but ‘good economic news’ for my community on Chicago’s West Side,” said Ald. Emma Mitts (37th). “We have created nearly 500 more employment opportunities with the opening of several new major retailers since Walmart opened. The Black community desperately needs the jobs and improved economic sustainability that additional stores would provide in the city.” The Defender reached out to all 19 Black aldermen. However, despite repeated attempts, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), chair of the Police and Fire Committee; Ald. JoAnn Thompson (16th); and Ald. Lola Lane (18th), did not return phone calls. Ald. Toni Foulkes (15th) declined to be interviewed for this story and Ald. Carrie Austin (34th) was on sick leave and was unavailable. Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender.