Mayoral Candidates Address Women Voters at Saturday Forum
Sex trafficking, crime, neighborhood gentrification, local school boards and school closures, women’s reproductive rights, domestic violence and wage in-equality were among the “hot topics” Chicago Mayoral candidates’ tackled during a forum hosted Saturday by Chicago Women Take Action Alliance.
Held at Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ald. Robert Fioretti, (2nd Ward); Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia; millionaire businessman, Willie Wilson and political activist, William “Dock” Walls, appeared one at time for 30 minute intervals answering questions from NPR correspondent, Cheryl Corley, who moderated the event.
First up, Mayor Emanuel addressed the closure of some 50 schools in African American and Hispanic neighborhoods saying, “Closing those schools was part of a series of things that needed to be done. Those kids were trapped…we made changes to give them a chance for a better education.”
When asked if more affordable housing is needed in areas that are gentrifying, the mayor said 'yes' and added the City Council passed SRO (Single Room Occupancy) legislation to navigate around those individuals who stand in opposition to affordable housing in their neighborhood.
In response to why a $13 an-hour minimum wage increase was proposed in the city of Chicago as opposed to a $15 increase, Emanuel said, “We passed the $13 an-hour while waiting for Springfield (legislators) to move on it and the $13 an-hour was what the commission recommended.”
Called The Minimum Wage Working Group, the commission the mayor was referring to was the task force of aldermen, labor and business representatives he appointed in May to research and gather public comment about increasing the city's minimum wage.
Ald. Firoretti appeared relaxed and took a more conversational tone with his responses, saying that Chicago needs an elected school board and that he introduced legislation to abolish the Red Light Cameras and that the City needs more resources to help Chicago’s homeless student population.
“I’m embarrassed to be a Democrat in this state,” Fioretti told the audience of mostly women from various ages and backgrounds. “We need a moratorium on Charter school openings, a more holistic approach to education, and income inequality affects everything in our economy.”
On the issue of sex trafficking and prostitution in the city, Fioretti said about 16,000 women are victims of sex trafficking and prostitution and added that women are snatched off the city streets.
“I’m amazed that so many members of (Chicago) City Council didn’t know the scope of the problem. We need to coordinate our resources to break up human trafficking. It’s a very serious problem,” Fioretti said.
Addressing domestic violence, Commissioner Garcia said he’s a long-time proponent of gun control.
“People who have a history of domestic violence, should be prohibited from owning guns,” Garcia said, adding that he also supports an elected school board and that a moratorium is needed on charter school openings until there can be an evaluation of the ones that are already open.”
On the question of the minimum wage increase, Garcia drew applause saying he’d like to get it done sooner than later and that he supports a domestic worker bill of rights as those workers historically have been excluded from state laws that protect others.
The question of women reproductive rights was posed to Garcia who said, “I have a record of supporting Pro-choice and full access to contraception. I support fully a woman’s right to choose and it’s not easy given that I’m Catholic.”
Candidate Wilson took the stage saying he entered the mayoral race because he wants to bring about economic development and economic empowerment for those who’ve been left out, and wants more fairness throughout the city.
“I have a 7th grade education so education is important to me,” Wilson told the audience. “The school closings disenfranchised a generation.”
On the question of wage inequality, Wilson said women should be paid the same as men. “I’m very sensitive to women’s issues and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind and I support a minimum wage increase as high as we can get it.”
On the issue of Chicago’s crime, something Wilson has first-hand experience,due to the death of his 20-year-old son who reportedly was murdered in the mid-1990s in a gang-related dispute, Wilson said the first thing he’ll do as mayor in terms of dealing with the crime, is fire Chicago Police Superintendent, Garry McCarthy.
“He’s failed,” Wilson said. “It doesn’t make sense to have just one superintendent. We need at least four and we also need more police out on the street engaging people.”
When asked why he repeatedly runs for elected office, Doc Walls said, he feels he has to stand up when he sees what’s going on this city.
“No one seems to care about the Black males roaming the city with no direction,” Walls said. “I would reopen the schools that were closed and I’m in favor of an elected school board and would like to see the Bible taught in school as part of the curriculum.” Walls added.
On the question of gentrification, Walls said among other things, “Chicago is the most racially segregated City barring none. It’s now 2015 and nothing has changed.”
