Reducing violent crime and making Chicago safer everywhere in the city is what I would like to spend most of my time on when I become Mayor. My approach to this problem holistically will lead from a place of love, compassion, connection, and opportunity, starting first with the Chicago neighborhoods struggling with the most violent crime.

On the journey to make Chicago safer for everyone, I would love to work directly with mothers, families, teachers, students and all citizens who live in Chicago neighborhoods experiencing the most hardship. As Mayor, in this context, I desire to function as a trusted counselor, advocate, liaison, support system, friend and community solution enabler. If I am welcomed, I seek to get-to-know, observe, listen, learn, study and understand different people's lives, perspectives and experiences. Right alongside you, I desire to tackle immediate issues while also working to resolve deeper challenges and resource needs in the neighborhood.

At the same time, I seek to also partner closely with the Chicago Police Department and district Alderman. I want to understand life through your eyes, your observations, challenges individually and as a unit, resource needs and recommendations for improvement. If I am welcomed, I'd love to get know Police Officers all throughout the city so we can build a professional relationship, and I can empower you to protect and serve as safely as possible. I seek to open new direct channels of communication so I can be of best service to everyone.

In addition to the approach as a centralized counselor and advocate, I seek to deploy Community Flourishment Pilot Programs. To review a few initial program ideas along with more information on the goals of these programs, please read promise #2.

I know that turning around violent crime in the city will require a large team effort. With Community Flourishment Pilot Programs, I will seek to architect and launch these initiatives in close partnership with all leaders (and future special committees) from across the entire local government system. I'd like to also bring in interested neighborhood citizens to be directly involved in program consulting and design. If the idea is welcomed, I hope to make pilot program proposals a quarterly deliverable from Department representatives. We will then come together on a regular cadence as a group (and in public forums) to discuss, brainstorm, analyze and plan future pilots.

As Mayor, I commit to accomplishing a reduction in violent crime while also:

• Respecting and protecting The Second Amendment.

• Not defunding Police.

• Not increasing taxes.

Together as a team we will identify and conquer everything that is standing in our way of ending violent crime in Chicago.

In promise #1, I made reference to Community Flourishment Pilot Programs. The purpose of these programs will be to test different ways to improve quality of life for all citizens of Chicago. If a pilot program is successful, we can explore roll out on a larger scale and/or maintain for permanent application. The goals of these pilot programs will be wide ranging at a micro level, depending on the program, but at a macro level, the collective intention will be to (in no particular order):

• Contribute to end systemic problems and bad cycles.

• Contribute to end homelessness and hunger.

• Give children and parents more choice and career path development opportunities through public education.

• Help mothers and fathers.

• Make better use of existing resources and become more resourceful.

• Reduce violent crime.

• Generate new business for local small and medium sized businesses.

• Grow the local economy, create local jobs, and encourage local entrepreneurship.

I commit to implementing these pilot programs at *no additional cost to taxpayers (*this will actually happen in tandem with all local taxes either decreasing, being sunset, or permanently ceased from increasing - read more in promise #3). I will work with leaders and representatives from across the entire local government team to reallocate and reinvest existing budget and resources to fund programs accordingly.

Implementing an initiative like this will take a large effort (in terms of ideation, alignment, planning, deployment, etc.), but below are some initial ideas that I have brainstormed. If implemented, I recommend that these programs are first piloted in neighborhoods of most hardship.

The Chicago Apprenticeship Program: The Chicago Apprenticeship Program will be an alternative education and early graduation path offered exclusively to Chicago Public School (CPS) students.

Students that choose to go down the Chicago Apprenticeship path will align to a condensed educational curriculum that ensures they do not miss out on key studies before graduation into their first year of apprenticeship. The program will partner exclusively with local Chicago businesses to enable long-term career path opportunities and subsidized salaries for apprenticeship interns. Below is a starter list of ideas for apprenticeships:

Agriculture and Farming Science

• This apprenticeship program will present an opportunity for students who seek to learn the skills of small to large scale sustainable farming, administration in agriculture, and agribusiness operations. All apprenticeship interns in this program will work with the Chicago Park District and Chicago City Markets to expand local food production and organic horticulture cultivation.

Arts, Attractions and Entertainment

• This apprenticeship program will present an opportunity for students interested in the creative arts, music, and entertainment industry (production, design, visual art, performing art, installation art, culinary art, and more). The city will work with the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Department and local theatre districts, venues, museums, stadiums, restaurants, and other relevant local businesses for apprenticeship interns to work within.

Building, Mechanical and Related Technicians

• This apprenticeship program will present an opportunity for students who seek to train in construction trades, industrial sciences, and architecture preservation (carpentry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials conservation and restoration, metalwork, welding, etc.). The city will work within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Buildings Departments, along with a variety of local businesses for apprenticeship intern placement.

Business and Experience Management

• This apprenticeship program will present an opportunity for students to train to become business managers, service providers, logistics and operations planners. The city will work with the Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Department along with local start-ups and SMBs (small and medium sized businesses) for apprenticeship interns to be placed within.

Parks and Recreation

• This apprenticeship program will present an opportunity for students who seek to work in cultural and environmental enhancement, recreation administration, park preservation, management and beautification. All apprenticeship interns in this program will work exclusively among/within the municipal parks in the city of Chicago.

Police Force

• This apprenticeship program will present an opportunity for students to become a Junior Officer with the Chicago Police Department.

Chicago Meals: No citizen in the city of Chicago should have to go without a meal. Meals will be your exceptionally maintained, family-friendly, local community dining experience. Meals will serve daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner available to neighborhood residents. Food will be exclusively purchased and sourced from local Chicago restaurants and local food suppliers. Additionally, employees of Meals will be staffed exclusively with neighborhood citizens.

Chicago All-Citizen Public Education: In addition to the Chicago Apprenticeship Program for CPS students, I would introduce public education open to Chicago citizens of any age. This pilot will offer free educational courses and certification programs (across a variety of topics) to anyone in the community who desires to attend and learn. Professors in this program will be staffed exclusively with Chicago based experts.

Chicago Community Resorts: Commercial real estate occupancy in the city is growing with increased numbers of people working from home among other economic and pandemic related changes. With that said, I would explore affordable and/or service traded housing in commercial space in skyscrapers.

Chicago Rescue Animal Community Resorts: This pilot program will be a living community and forever home for an on-going group of animals adopted from local Chicago shelters and the Animal Care and Control Department. The people employed within the community will be hired as professional animal parents to care for the animals who live in the home permanently. As an employee resident in the community, it will be everyone's job to make sure that new animals are welcomed comfortably, animals get along and function on a schedule, the home is upkept, animals are happy, loved, fed, safe, healthy, etc. All supplies needed to maintain the resort and take care of the animals will be purchased exclusively from local small and medium-sized retail businesses.

Here are just a few examples of recent disappointments:

• In 2021, property taxes increased by $94 million. Property taxes again increased by $76.5 million in 2022 (other source). The continued tax increases by recent leadership, follow record-breaking increases from the previous leadership that increased the burden on us Chicagoans by nearly $700 million (other source).

• The city’s core operating fund (called the ‘corporate fund’) will spend $4.9 billion in 2022, up from $4 billion in 2021 (here is the full $16.7 billion 2022 budget recommendation and budget overview on Chicago.gov). In 2022, the city budget is up nearly 60% over pre-pandemic 2019. This is despite receiving billions in incremental revenue from grants from the state and federal government which have tripled as compared to 2019. The 2021 budget spent $15.1 billion, which is 40% bigger than 2019. Compared to 2021, Chicago’s 2022 $16.7 billion budget is up by 10% (source Wirepoints.org).

• In 2022, the Office of the Mayor within the city’s corporate fund has a proposed appropriation of over $11 million dollars (see PDF page 14 (document page 6) in the 2022 budget). As you can see based on the comparative summary of expenditures and recommended appropriations (see PDF page 29 (document page 21) in the 2022 budget), the appropriation for the Office of the Mayor specifically has increased year over year in excess of $1.1 million dollars.

• According to the City of Chicago’s covid-19 expenditure update, as of April 2022 the city has spent $576.7 million dollars on the pandemic response. As you’ll see in the chart, the majority of that money was spent on personnel costs, the McCormick Place Alternative Care Facility, and experimental injections. The field hospital at McCormick Place, which cost the city tens of millions of dollars, was reported to have treated less then three dozen patients in total; the cost to taxpayers was at least $1.7 million per patient (source).

• In February 2022, the office of the Mayor announced that the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) finished the "Chicago Smart Lighting Streetlight Modernization Program". This $160 million dollar project *installed light-emitting diode (LED) streetlight fixtures enabled with wireless internet infrastructure to 270,000 streetlights throughout the city (equates to roughly 85% of all streetlight fixtures). *See video here for more information.

For reference, the American Medical Association adopted a statement of caution about LED streetlights at the AMA annual meeting in Chicago in June 2016. Research published in the journal of Science Advances also talks about the risks of artificial nighttime lighting on environmental and human health. Added August 2025: According to this Science Direct article, LED streetlight illumination disrupts the natural physiological processes and circadian rhythms of living organisms.

There also is on-going debate about the harms of overexposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted from radiofrequency waves (source, source). The Chicago Smart Lighting project is believed to be the largest city-led wireless smart light program in the entire country (source). Other sources:

• Iotworldtoday.com: Chicago Completes Largest Wireless Smart Streetlight Program in the US

• Cities-today.com: Chicago wraps up US$160-million streetlight project

Added August 2025: In addition to the concerns listed above (links above), some argue that these "smart" streetlight implementations can lead to privacy and civil liberties violations (see sources here, here, and here).

According to the city press release, politicians estimated $100 million in savings over the first ten years from this project. In addition, the city received almost $34 million in rebates from ComEd for switching to LED streetlights.

Added September 2025: Personally, I would appreciate an explanation on where/how this 34 million dollars in ComEd rebates has been reconciled in a tangible way that benefits citizens. On top of the rebates, if the "smart streetlight" project is supposed to generate millions in electricity cost savings each year ($100 million over the first 10 years = $10 million a year), how is it possible Chicago's staggering financial problems have not improved at all? The streetlight project finished in February 2022, so that technically should mean at least $30 million in savings so far. According to this article published on August 29 2025, Chicago still faces a 146 million dollar budget gap in 2025 and $1.15 billion dollar (yes, billion) budget shortfall for 2026.

Additionally, speaking for myself as a citizen, I have not seen any energy related cost savings passed through to me at all (directly or indirectly), in fact, I have only experienced increased energy costs! It appears other citizens in Chicago and across the state of Illinois are also experiencing record increases in energy costs (source, source, source, source, source, source). Based on research that I have done, the increased costs appear to have a connection with excessive energy consumption coming from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers that Illinois politicians openly welcomed into the state of Illinois (source, source, source, source). According also to this article, AI data centers could even deplete drinking water sources around Illinois and the Midwest.

• The nation's largest provider of shared communications infrastructure (cell towers, small cells, and fiber) worked with the city of Chicago to install thousands of small cell antennas. According to their website, these small cell antennas "pave the way" for 5G networks that will expand "smart city innovations" including "autonomous vehicles and citywide data sharing" (source). If you live in Chicago, you would know that there has been an undeniable increase in antenna infrastructure pretty much everywhere (just look up).

The money management and spending decision failures are out of our hands, but we citizens are always left holding the bag. For the past 90+ years, Chicago citizens have continued to elect Mayoral candidates associated with the same political party. What incentive do they have to fix our deteriorating financial situation if there is no accountability for getting us to this point in the first place? The answer is none!

We owe it to ourselves to decide that it is time for a change. We can reclaim our collective power as citizens by voting, in unison, for an independent public office leader.

As Mayor of Chicago, I will make fantastic changes that will course correct local government spending. I will also deploy a 4 year plan that incrementally lowers or sunsets all local tax obligations passed through to people who live in Chicago. I will also indefinitely cease property tax increases. Additional curtailment and incentives to be provided for:

• Chicago based businesses with primary service(s) and/or product(s) that are operated or sold in the city of Chicago.

• Chicago (and any Midwestern USA) based businesses who desire to lease storefront retail space in downtown Chicago.

• Chicago based businesses who trade and/or do business with other Chicago based businesses.

• Chicago based businesses who employ Chicago citizens.

To make up for gaps in tax revenue and to fund new pilot programs, city expenses and legacy debts, *my core financing strategy will focus first on reducing substantial waste (in my opinion) within the city’s corporate fund (total 2022 appropriation = $4,883,997,000 see PDF page 13 (document page 5) in the 2022 budget). After doing a preliminary analysis of the entire 2022 city of Chicago budget, I have identified several areas within the corporate fund that I recommend we start with (see PDF pages 14 & 15 (document pages 6 & 7) in the 2022 budget for a full list). I will first focus on generating savings from the corporate fund and then recommend we consider cascading successful and applicable changes to/within other city funds.

*this excludes the Police Department, Fire Department and other essential & emergency groups in the corporate fund. See PDF pages 14 & 15 (document pages 6 & 7) for a full list of appropriations by department, office, council, bureau, committee, board, division, and other object classification within the corporate fund.

I don't want to spend much time on this topic because I want to maintain focus on being positive and talking about the future. If you lived through it, you would know that no one's life has been untouched by the pandemic.

Above all things, I deeply value the preservation of our guaranteed human rights, freedoms, individual liberty, and bodily autonomy. I believe in the ability to live and flourish in environments free of fear and free of cumbersome restrictions.

As a leader, I value the importance of self and situational awareness, and the importance of making pivots and changes when necessary. Leaning into the same solutions that did not work/are not working but expecting a different result, is not something I ever waste my time doing.

If I were to become Mayor, I would ensure that lockdowns, mandates, and other totalitarian tactics that started in 2020 are ceased immediately in the city of Chicago.

I have read, watched, and listened to many, many stories from people all around the world who have experienced dramatic declines in their health during these difficult times. Many people have also tragically experienced the sudden loss of a family member or friend, or succumbed to an illness themselves. It truly breaks my heart to see so many people, of all ages, slip into situations where sickness has greatly disrupted their life, and also the lives of the people closest to them.

If I am elected to be Mayor of Chicago, I could not in good conscience look away from this rapidly growing problem. As Mayor, to start, I would introduce solutions that provide lifestyle and emotional support to Chicago citizens who have become disabled from any pandemic related illness.

To accomplish this, I will partner with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to expand upon what this solution could/will look like. In terms of funding, we will work within the existing CDPH budget to make shifts and reprioritize accordingly. I would begin by suggesting we further reduce budget allocated to pass-through and contract spending in professional and technical services and delegate agencies.

Addition 8.4.2025: For a recent detailed breakdown of the CDPH budget, you can check out the 2024 and 2025 snapshot published by the Better Government Association.

Under my leadership as Mayor, not only will citizens see a reduction in local taxes that they pay, but they will also see their tax dollars output a substantially improved return on community investment.

As Mayor, in collaboration with the entire local government team, we will restructure wherever necessary to best position ourselves to output more tangible value in the eyes of everyday citizens. Additionally, my core financing strategy (summarized in promise #3) will spark voluminous local economic growth.

If Community Flourishment Pilot Programs prove to be successful (see promise #2 for more information), we can explore roll out on a broader scale. As working pilot programs expand, the city will experience positive ripple effects throughout.

Under my leadership as Mayor, all Chicagoans will experience:

• A direct and indirect reduction in day-to-day financial burdens.

• An increase in local job opportunities.

• An increase in business flowing through small and medium sized local businesses.

• An increase in new business overall in the city.

Chicagoans know that the CTA needs improvements, enhancements, and advancements. From safety and security, to cleanliness of trains and buses, to maintenance of vehicles and tracks, delays, and more - it's time we gave this much more attention, because local citizens deserve it. I look forward to supporting the CTA and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) with whatever is needed to evolve our public transit into an exceptional, expansive, efficient, world-class experience.

I will also explore motivations for businesses who encourage remote and hybrid work environments for people who commute via car into Chicago. Historically, automobile traffic coming in and out of the city on weekdays has been consistently congested. To contribute to the reduction of gridlock highway traffic, and to ease stress on commuters, changes are needed. As leader, I will always be an advocate for remote and hybrid work arrangements.

Regarding road, sidewalk, and other related construction, I'd like to implement a comprehensive review to analyze past, current, and future planned projects. If you live in Chicago and have experienced commuting on any of the major highways, you would know that it seems like construction is never ending. I understand roads need baseline maintenance, but at the same time, it should also be expected that the experience using the highways will improve over time (it hasn't). Under my leadership as Mayor, the city will adopt higher standards and scrutiny for construction project approval, prioritization, expected outcome, execution efficacy, cost efficacy, value gained, and return on community investment.

Lastly, I will also ensure to work with CDOT to earmark sufficient budget for long-term renovations to the city’s elevated train system.

As Mayor of Chicago, I promise citizens that I will:

• Strive to drive unification.

• Improve morale.

• Bring people together.

• Encourage peace and love.

• Be an advocate for team humanity.

• Listen and be supportive.

• Be protective and always work with their best interests at heart.

• Uphold and respect Constitutional rights, civil liberties and individual freedoms.

• Encourage new community gatherings, events, concerts, festivals, and other fun activities in the city.

Through Community Flourishment Pilot Programs such as Chicago Meals and Chicago Community Resorts, I expect to see a reduction in homelessness and hunger among Chicago citizens.

In addition, we should expect to see a reduction in homelessness and hunger as an indirect result of progress made with other parallel efforts deployed (discussed throughout promises 1-8).

In summary, by the end of my 4-year term as Mayor, I will accomplish the following:

• Make Chicago a less expensive place to live.

• Make Chicago a safer place to live.

• Reduce violent crime.

• Reduce homelessness.

• Uplift neighborhoods that are experiencing the most hardship.

• Create extraordinary new opportunities for youth, and all city citizens, that will manifest positively amazing ripple effects for generations.

• Encourage and expand professional farming, gardening, and organic horticulture cultivation all throughout the city.

• Increase locally sourced food production, consumption, and commerce.

• Revitalize retail commerce all throughout the city.

• Increase foot traffic in downtown Chicago.

• Attract more businesses to lease prime retail space in downtown Chicago.

• Generate business for local small and medium-sized businesses.

• Create local jobs.

• Encourage local entrepreneurship.

• Attract new business, tourism and people who want to raise their families in the city.

• Make Chicago an even more beautiful place to live.

Under my leadership as Mayor, all Chicago citizens will experience:

• A great increase in happiness with the city that they live in.

• A decrease in local taxes.

• An increase in indirect savings achieved through better investment of community tax dollars.

• An increase in satisfaction with local transportation.