About George Rumsey - 4th Ward

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  What do you believe are the qualities the community desires in an elected official?

  0 0 Openness, transparency, honesty. A commitment to community input in the decision‐making process, as an ability to work toward reaching consensus on community problems. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  What do you believe qualifies you to run for public office?

  0 0 For many years, I’ve worked with our local aldermen, state legislators, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools (and LSCs), and even developers to resolve many issues in our neighborhood, including redevelopment on 53rd and Lake Park, zoning changes, park usage (and the Olympics), school concerns (such as appropriate technology), and affordable housing. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 23 more answers »

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  What do you believe is the reason behind the increase in youth violence and how do you plan to address it?

  0 0 The 4th Ward (my district) has enormous potential for development along Cottage Grove, 35th Street, and the vacant Michael Reese site. I’m committed to hiring local residents first, and having living‐wage jobs. I would also hope to increase the minority/women business set‐aside for any development involving TIF funding. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  What are your plans to increase job and employment opportunities in the city of Chicago?

  0 0 The 4th Ward (my district) has enormous potential for development along Cottage Grove, 35th Street, and the vacant Michael Reese site. I’m committed to hiring local residents first, and having living‐wage jobs. I would also hope to increase the minority/women business set‐aside for any development involving TIF funding. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 21 more answers »

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  What will you do to improve the Chicago Public School system, from kindergarten through high school?

  0 0 First would be to retire Renaissance 2010 and programs such as the drastic remediation of failing schools. I believe in supporting our existing schools, rather than creating new charter schools (which I think take funding and support away from existing schools). I would like to see a board of education that is more “local,” and composed of a mix of educators and parents. I also support the creation of schools that can be used to address special needs, such as a school for LGBT students modeled on the Harvey Milk school in New York. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 22 more answers »

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  What are your thoughts about the costs of housing in Chicago, both for ownership and rental? Are there particular actions that you will take?

  0 0 Especially in the 4th Ward, we need to have a stronger commitment to affordable housing in all parts of the ward (not just in select areas). I also would like to promote senior housing, which I think is going to be a major problem in the near future, along with alternative forms of housing (such as multi‐family and group housing). George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  What are your feelings about public housing and assisted living in the city of Chicago? Are there particular actions that you will take on the issue?

  0 0 The 4th Ward has lost most of its public housing, which has created problems for many of its former residents. I support public housing and section 8 housing, and as a member of the Coalition for Equitable Community Development, I helped secure a building for permanent section 8 residents as part of a development agreement. I also support the Sweet Home Chicago initiative to fund affordable housing through unused TIF funds. As a volunteer at the local DARE (Disabled Adult Resident Enterprise) house, I’ve worked with many of the residents to improve their quality of life and to promote ADA compliance throughout our business community. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  How do you perceive the issues of drugs and crime and what will you do to address them?

  0 0 We need to make both streets and schools safer. We don’t do that when we cut back on hours, after‐school programs, or library access. We need to be smarter in our gun‐control legislation, and do a better job of teaching students to respect one another (through programs such as the anti‐bullying campaign). George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  How do you plan to deal with the city budget and the current city deficit?

  0 0 I would start by reforming the budget process. Chicago should adopt a zero‐budget strategy, where each department must justify its full expenditures for the coming year (no automatic threshold); this would also require better use of current software and technology in arriving at budget estimates. The proposed budget should be made publicly available at least 90 dates before it is voted upon, giving community groups (such as the Better Government Association) a chance to review and comment. I think the city needs to switch garbage pickup and street cleaning to the grid system, rather than having it under aldermanic control. And I would like to see rotating chairmanships on city committees (such as Finance) so that one person doesn’t control the process for 20 years. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 21 more answers »

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  How do you feel about the claim that Chicago politics and city government is rife with corruption?

  0 0 It’s pretty true. The hardest question I’ve had to answer since I declared my candidacy for alderman of the 4th Ward is, “How do you know that, if elected, you won’t become as crooked as the rest of the City Council?” I think being an alderman is a full‐time job, you should not have a second job, particularly one that can make money from the city. You should not be able to lobby for city contracts after you leave office, for at least 5 years. I strongly support the office on independent inspector general with full abilities to review all aldermen and their dealings. George Rumsey - 4th Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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