Election 2015: 17th Ward candidates discuss the issues

Looking ahead to the Chicago municipal election on Feb. 24, the Sun-Times editorial board met with the candidates running for alderman in the 17th Ward to talk about the key issues facing their community — and what they’d do to improve things.

The 17th Ward includes the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

All three candidates participated: David H. Moore, Glenda Franklin and James E. Dukes.

Main topics of conversation were their plans for economic development within the ward and where money for more police would come from.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DISCUSSION:

Franklin: "As alderman, I want to create a new normal where our children can walk to the best schools." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Moore: "I'm supported by the people not Rahm Emanuel." He says for first time there is clear distinction in candidates in ward. #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Dukes: "I believe when James Dukes becomes alderman better is coming to the ward." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

The first question from @McNamee54 is about the candidates' plans for economic development. #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Moore supports so. suburban airport.
Franklin mentions Gateway 2020 plan, working w. TIF and trades.
Dukes pitches a call center. #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

.@thomasfrisbie notes all three candidates agree more police officers in the ward would be good. Where does the money come from? #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Dukes says it can't come from taxes, but from revenue. He mentions a so. suburban airport, legalizing marijuana and casinos. #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Franklin says she with no money for more, she wants to build better relationships with police they have – "there's a disconnect." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Moore, a former accountant, says the city needs to take a hard look at the budget and pull out the "wish list." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Moore: "Bike lanes are not a priority when kids on the South Side are being killed." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

How many City Council meetings you attended in the last four years? What have you learned from attending meetings?#CSTvote15
— Carl Nyberg (@CarlNyberg312) January 6, 2015

Moore has attended about 15 council meetings in the past four years. "What I've learned is we have a rubber-stamp city council." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Moore: "There's no willingness for the aldermen to work together. They live in a vacuum, and you can't do that in our community." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Franklin: Been to 20-30 meetings, "They have to make hard decisions... some that I might not have agreed with, some that I have." #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015

Dukes has been to about 10 meetings and says he has learned that things get done with collaboration and in committees. #CSTvote15
— Sun-Times Opinion (@CSTopinion) January 6, 2015