LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Too many neighbors in our ward and our city are struggling. As Alderman, Matt is fighting for a vision of Chicago where everyone—regardless of income—lives safely and comfortably. That requires that we expand affordable housing so that neighbors aren't priced out of our community, reimagine and modernize our approach to public safety, and take bold action to combat the climate crisis. Learn more about what we have accomplished and what Matt is fighting for below.
Homes in the 47th Ward are becoming increasingly unaffordable—especially for seniors on a fixed income, working-class families, and recent graduates. To ensure that our community is welcome to all, we must maintain and expand affordability.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Required new large developments include at least 20% affordable housing on-site – a standard that has been expanded citywide.
- Passed legislation to legalize new “accessory dwelling units” (i.e., basement units and coach houses).
- Directed nearly $100 million from federal Covid-19 relief funds toward rapid rehousing, permanent supporting housing, and the preservation of single-room-occupancy (SRO) units.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Building over 60 new affordable homes at 4715 N. Western Ave.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Make the real estate transfer tax progressive so that the sale of multi-million dollar properties can help fund efforts to end homelessness.
We need to reimagine how city government invests in public safety. That starts with modernizing our public safety institutions, while also investing in alternatives to policing that prioritize mental health and job security.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Quadrupled funding for violence-prevention organizations that engage in street intervention and offer free therapy and paid job training to the individuals who are most likely to become involved in gun violence.
- Passed the strongest civilian oversight law in the country, which will place community voice at the center of decisions to appoint public safety leaders and policy making
- Tripled city funding for nonprofits that serve victims of domestic and gender-based violence – to address the deepening public safety crisis during the pandemic.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Expanding the City’s mental health first responder program so that paramedics and crisis workers respond to non-violent 911 calls involving someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Call for hearings on strategies to improve Chicago’s homicide and gun-violence clearance rates.
All children need and deserve access to high-quality neighborhood public schools, regardless of their parent’s ability to fundraise.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Supported the creation of an elected school board, instead of one appointed by and accountable only to the Mayor.
- Worked with state legislators to secure funding for initiatives like an athletic field at McPherson Elementary and renovated bathrooms at Ravenswood Elementary.
- Allocated $50,000 in human infrastructure funds to provide additional counseling services at Lakeview High School this semester and an additional $50,000 to provide free arts classes to hundreds of CPS students in the 47th Ward.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Championing TIF-reform efforts so that more tax dollars are invested in our local schools.
- Advocating for capital improvements for Amundsen High School to address overcrowding concerns.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Work with colleagues at the State to create a Child Care for All program.
Chicago is suffering from the effects of climate change, ranging from lakefront erosion and stormwater flooding to rising temperatures and poor air quality. We must lead the way in demonstrating how cities can tackle the ongoing climate emergency head-on.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Led the effort to have the City Council declare that Chicago is enduring a climate emergency that required immediate and bold action by elected leaders.
- Passed an ordinance mandating that large new developments which have parking include electric vehicle charging infrastructure
- Introduced an ordinance to examine the city’s recycling rate that led to annual waste studies to make our recycling programming more efficient
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Supporting policies to expand CTA’s electric bus fleet and charging stations for electric vehicles.
- Power city-owned and operated buildings with 100% clean energy by 2025.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Bring back the Department of the Environment to spearhead the city's response to the climate crisis.
- Establish a city-wide municipal composting program.
- Call for hearings to hold the City accountable for their schedule in replacing lead service lines.
City government must ensure that all Chicagoans, regardless of age, ability, or income, are able to travel safely and comfortably by bike and on foot to all their daily destinations.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Built the first protected bike lane in the 47th Ward.
- Secured $30 million in funding to improve the Western Brown Line Station and an additional $9 million for the Western CTA Plaza.
- Organized the first Participatory Budgeting votes in the 47th Ward, with thousands of residents voting to select $500,000 in infrastructure projects
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Adding pedestrian safety improvements benefiting every CPS school in the Ward.
- Championing legislation requiring new pedestrian and cycling improvements whenever streets are torn up for asphalt resurfacing.
- Planning the 2023 construction of several more miles of neighborhood Greenways and protected bike lanes.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Build more dedicated bus lanes in major transit corridors to induce demand and increase ridership.
- Expand the number of covered bus shelters that feature accurate wait times.
Chicago politics as usual isn't working for Chicagoans. We need a more transparent, accountable city government that works for our communities.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Voted to enhance restrictions on secondary employment for alderpeople and an increase in fines for those who violate these and similar ethics regulations.
- Voted to ban alderpeople from being paid to lobby other government entities, and prohibiting elected officials from outside Chicago from lobbying City of Chicago government entities.
- Created a budget subcommittee to help ensure that the nearly $2 billion in federal Covid-19 relief funds that Chicago received are spent quickly and effectively.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Advocating to chair the Ethics & Government Oversight Committee, to encourage City Council to select its own chairs so that we have an independent, empowered legislative body.
- Using our position on the ARPA Oversight Committee to ensure federal funds are used equitably and efficiently for the people of Chicago
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Pass a law to publicly finance Chicago elections so that campaigns are centered around the needs of our middle- and working-class neighbors.
- Reform our elections to institute Ranked-Choice Voting, saving taxpayers money and centering their voices
Many of us love living in the 47th Ward because of its dynamic retail corridors, but vacant storefronts and decreased foot traffic are hurting businesses. Workers are struggling as well, with wages lagging behind the cost of housing and other staples.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Supported efforts to raise Chicago’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021, and to provide employees with fair notice about shift scheduling.
- Expanded funding opportunities for small businesses looking to rehab their storefronts.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Legalize walk-up windows citywide so that restaurants have more opportunities to serve their customers.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Fine commercial landlords who intentionally keep their storefronts vacant to lower their property taxes.
Neither gender nor sexual orientation status should ever present a hurdle to personal or professional happiness.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE:
- Passed an ordinance ensuring that Chicago will a sanctuary city for anyone looking to receive or provide abortion and gender-affirming healthcare.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Introduced legislation calling for hearings on the City’s hiring and human resources practices, the inclusion of all-gender bathrooms in city facilities, and the adoption of human resource software that use the preferred names and pronouns of employees.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Require prospective and current city contractors to guarantee pay equity and freedom from harassment.