Carrie M. Austin is endorsed by the Sun-Times Editorial Board. Read the endorsement here.
1) City Pensions
Q: Chicago's fire and police pensions are greatly underfunded, and the city is required by the state to make a $550 million payment into the pension funds by the end of 2015. Do you support restructuring the pension systems, inevitably reducing benefits, to put the funds on sound financial footing?
Yes or No: Yes, provided parties agree.
Please Explain: As you note, the state determines the structure of the City’s pensions, including police and fire. It is up to the City Council to identify ways to pay for it. I believe it is important for the City to meet its pension obligations and continue to provide vital services to residents. The City worked with the Municipal and Laborers pension funds to develop a plan, which will provide for guaranteed payments by the City. This negotiation required all parties, the City, the unions and taxpayers to incur added costs and/or reduced benefits. But it provided a path to pension solvency that City employees and retirees need. I believe that resolution of other unions, such as police and fire should follow this same negotiation process to ensure that all City employees and retirees can realize the same pension solvency.
Q: Chicago's pension systems for municipal workers and laborers already have been restructured, reducing benefits, but the city has yet to identify where it will find the revenue to sufficiently fund those systems. Under what circumstances would you support a property tax increase to raise the needed revenue for the fire and police pensions and/or the municipal workers and laborers pensions?
A: As Chairman of the Budget Committee, I beg to differ. In its 2015 budget, the City did identify a revenue source to fund its $50 M obligation by raising the telecommunications tax. Budgets are living documents and are amended throughout the year based on projected revenues and expenses generated, which are affected by many moving parts. The City’s ability to raise the telecommunications tax was authorized by a bill approved by the Illinois General Assembly. The City must wait to see if the Illinois General Assembly authorizes it for another year before we can finalize our 2016 budget, which will include our $50 M obligation for the Municipal and Laborers’ Pension Funds. As our obligations stand, the 2016 budget will be the most difficult I have had to deliver yet. I recognize that additional revenues will be necessary and will strive to find revenue sources that do not impose an additional financial burden on our residents through a congestion tax and a tax on billboards. I also believe enhanced enforcement of existing laws regarding billboards will generate significant new revenue. I supported increasing fines for billboard violations to $10,000 per day and enhanced enforcement can help provide some of this new revenue. I will consider other revenue ideas that help the City meet its obligations without unduly burdening our residents.
2) Chicago Public Schools pensions
Q: Large and growing payments required to keep the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund solvent are squeezing CPS' budget, forcing cuts elsewhere and limiting investment. The Chicago Board of Education has increased property taxes, but it is not enough to keep up with the high annual costs. What measures do you support to ensure a solvent retirement system and to improve the district's finances?
A: As an Alderman, I do not have a vote on any resolution of the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund. Clearly this is an issue the CPS Board must address and as Chicago did with two of its pension funds, a resolution should be worked out with the Chicago Teacher’s Union. Any such resolution must provide the necessary funds to meet the commitment of CPS and should include changes at the state level on how we fund education in Chicago and across the state.
3) Revenue
Q: In light of the financial issues discussed above, do you support any or all of the following measures, each of which would require, at a minimum, approval by the Illinois Legislature?
* A statewide expansion of the sales tax base to include more consumer services
Yes or No: Not preferred but I would consider it along with other revenue options.
* A tax on non-Chicago residents who work in the city
Yes or No: Yes
* A tax on electronic financial transactions on Chicago’s trading exchanges, known as the “LaSalle Street tax”
Yes or No: No
Please explain your views, if you wish, on any of these three revenue-generating measures.
With regard to a tax on non-Chicago residents who work in the city, I support a congestion tax. Chicago residents predominately pay for roads which are used in part by non-Chicago residents and such a tax ensures all pay for the roads in Chicago.
With regard to a tax on electronic financial transactions on Chicago’s trading exchanges, I believe, in the end, such a tax will hurt the City financially. The loss of these jobs, which are a vital part of Chicago’s economy, would cost the City in income and sales tax revenue.
4) Crime
Q: Do you support hiring more police officers to combat crime and gun violence in Chicago?
Yes or No: Yes
Please explain: Crime in my community is the number one concern of most of my residents. The City has done a lot to place more officers on the street without hiring more officers, which has helped. Restoring the strike forces that worked in high crime neighborhoods would help alleviate crime in these areas.
Q: What legislation in Springfield would you support to try to stem the flow of illegal guns into Chicago?
I support a ban on hand guns and believe the issue must be addressed through a constitutional amendment and not in Springfield.
5) Elected school board
Q: An advisory referendum on switching Chicago to an elected school board, rather than an appointed board, is expected to be on the ballot in more than 30 wards on Feb. 24. Currently, the mayor appoints all seven board members and the Schools CEO. Do you support a change to an elected school board?
Yes or No: No
Please explain: Several sister agencies have boars appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the City Council. These agencies have been subject to electoral influence by the mere fact that each Alderman is elected by the people. I believe the Illinois General Assembly should amend the law to require CPS Board members and the CEO of CPS to be confirmed by the City Council. This way voters will have a say in CPS.
6) Tax-increment financing districts
Q: TIFs are the primary economic development tool of the city. In a TIF district, taxes from the growth in property values are set aside for 23 years to be used for public projects and private development. Do you support increasing the annual TIF surplus that the mayor and the City Council have declared in each of the last few years, money that goes to the schools and other city agencies?
Yes or No: Yes, provided the recommended surplus level is determined by a comprehensive analysis of TIF districts and is balanced with fulfilling the statutory purpose of TIF’s to promote development that would not otherwise happen.
Q: What reforms would you propose for the city's TIF program?
A: To start, as a member of the TIF Reform Task Force, there were several recommendations that we made and many have been implemented.
Perform a comprehensive analysis of TIF districts to determine annual TIF surplus, including hearings to receive public input on performance of TIF districts.
While there is a lot of information online regarding TIF districts, more information should be made available, including M/WBE and city residency compliance. This will allow the public to see who is meeting, exceeding or failing to meet these goals.
7) Neighborhood economic development
Q: What would you do as alderman to boost economic development in your ward, and bring jobs to your community?
A: As Alderman of the 34th Ward, I am always looking for new economic development opportunities for my community. I am proud of the economic development that has happened in the 34th Ward, but know there is more to do. The development of the largest urban solar facility in the world provided significant construction work for residents and continues to provide work through maintenance of the facility. Development of the 119th & Marshfield shopping center anchored by Target, Inc. has brought retail opportunities and jobs for our residents. To date, my proudest accomplishment is The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. This facility represents the largest single investment ever made by a social service organization in Chicago. It has garnered the sponsorship of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Kids Golf Foundation and Trevian Soccer Club giving our children a strong foundation in teamwork. The project itself created more than 200 construction jobs, including jobs for local neighborhood residents. If you have not seen this facility, I urge you to come down and check it out. It is making a difference in the lives of 34th Ward residents every day.
Going forward, as I do every day, I will continue to advocate the 34th Ward as a place to do business and encourage businesses to bring jobs to our community.
The City Council has 50 members, but civic groups and other regularly argue for reducing the size of the Council. What should the size of the Council be? Please provide a specific number. And why?
I believe that the number of Aldermen making up the City Council should remain at 50. I’ve often heard people say the number of Aldermen should be reduced, but rarely do I hear a rational. If the rational is to save money, it might be of interest to note that the cost of current 50-member City Council and its staff is 0.03% of the City budget. This cost seems reasonable when you consider that roughly 55,000 people have direct access to me as their Alderman. Having smaller wards allows residents to know their Alderman, communicate with them and see the outcome of any action they take. How many Chicagoans can name their Congressman, State Senator or State Representative? How many Chicagoans can meet with any of these elected officials on a weekly basis like they can in the 34th Ward? In my ward I service 11,000 streets and 600 alleys today. Reducing the number of Aldermen in the City Council would increase that number significantly and reduce service to the residents. Reducing the number of Aldermen in the City Council will put constituents further away from their Alderman in less accountability, not more.
9) A Chicago casino
Q: Do you support, in general concept, establishing a gambling casino in Chicago?
Yes or No:Yes
Please explain: A casino in Chicago that is targeted to our very large tourist population would bring much needed revenue to the City. This revenue could be dedicated to the many challenges Chicago faces, including funding infrastructure improvements and pensions. I also support video gaming with the money be used for these purposes as well.
10) Red light and speed cameras
Q: Does the city have an acceptable number of red light and speed cameras currently, and are they properly employed?
Yes or No: No
Please explain: I have long believed that red light and speed cameras are not properly deployed. The number of cameras in my community far outnumber the cameras in other wards and I have not received sufficient explanation on why this is the case. I believe that the City should undertake a detailed review of the number of cameras as well as the deployment of these cameras throughout the City. Such a review cannot come soon enough for me.
11) Ward issues
Q: What are the top three issues in your ward — the ones you talk about most on the campaign trail?
A: 1) Economic Development
2) Crime
3) Education
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board questionnaire responses
Carrie M. Austin
Office running for: Alderman, 34th Ward
Political/civic background: I have been a member of the 34th Ward Democratic Organization since 1972. I was elected 34th Ward Committeeman in 1996 and as State Central Committeewoman (2nd District) in 2002 and hold both positions today. I serve as City Vice Chair of the Cook County Democratic Party. I served as a delegate for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. I have served as Chair of the Chicago Football Classic since 2007. I am an Eastern Star in the Masonic Brotherhood. I also belong to Logos Baptist Assembly.
Occupation: Alderman
Education: Waller High School (now Lincoln Park H.S.), Roosevelt University
Campaign website:
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