I have deep roots in the 40th Ward...
Thirty years ago I moved here to raise my son, now a young Chicago lawyer. This is where I became a first-time homeowner, businesswoman and active community volunteer. Fifteen years later I launched my teaching career, first at Sacred Heart and, since 2005, as a tenured math and science Chicago Public Schools teacher and proud Chicago Teachers Union member.
Over the past decade I have seen our hard-working families, friends and neighbors become profit centers for the downtown corporate and tourism trade. For decades, our City Council has transferred our neighborhoods’ wealth to downtown. Then cynically, City Hall gives tax breaks to the very corporations who outsource our jobs and receive TIF money that is skimmed from our schools, parks, health clinics and libraries. This must stop.
Our community’s small businesses, schools, health providers, city workers, renters and homeowners are the economic bedrock of Ward 40. Our residents and businesses deserve a fair tax system, quality schools and libraries, affordable and accessible transportation, and well-maintained streets, alleys and parks.
I believe that government can improve people’s lives if held accountable to voters, not to corporate interests. My goal is to be counted among the City Council’s 26 majority votes that stand up to the “Chicago Way” — the politics of corruption, patronage and pay-to-play.
We are better than this. Together, let’s take back Chicago in 2019 so we can be proud of our city and our ward once again.
I AM AN EDUCATOR, MOTHER AND COMMUNITY LEADER
As an educator, mother, and community leader, I've been fighting for years for investment in our neighborhood schools, putting constituents - not downtown developers - first, and ending the corruption in our city. When we fight, we win - and I'll fight for you on City Council.
In 2018, I collected hundreds of signatures to ensure that a referendum would be placed on the ballot asking City Council to hold hearings on our lead in the water crisis. Here in the 40th ward we were successful in getting this on the ballot in 6 precincts.
Eight years ago, I helped organize one of the first charter schools (Aspira) into a union. I'm a proud CTU member, LSC member, and continue to help fight for smaller class sizes and fair wages today.
In 2017, I founded the 40th Ward Alliance, which is now officially an Our Revolution chapter. We bring speakers and programs to the ward to cover issues like school funding, TIF reform, DACA and immigration reform, and David Orr to speak on election integrity.
In 2016, I started an online petition to prevent Intrinsic Charter school from getting TIF money to build a high school in Rosehill Cemetary. In 3 days, we presented over 1,000 signatures and the owner of Intrinsic backed out of the project.
In 2016, I worked with One Northside and Network 49 to get a referendum on the ballot calling for no new charter schools in the 49th ward.
In 2013, I protested the closure of Trumbull school and worked with the community to preserve integrity of the structure and prevent over-development.
I'm a proud board member of WANT - West Andersonville Neighbors Together - where we, among other things, work with the community on resolving local zoning issues including downsizing and monitoring of permits to ensure requirements are met.
I've attended St. Gregory the Great parish for most of my life and I've proudly served as a volunteer in many capacities including Finance Committee, Council President, Youth Service Organization leader and a Boy Scout Leader.
Improving the 40th ward is personal to me - this is where I've built my home, raised my son, and fought for our neighbors. I'll take that same history, experience, and get-things-done attitude to City Council as your Alderman.