Election 2015: 43rd Ward candidates discuss the issues

CANDIDATES_CST_XXXX15_4313_51468779_999x615.jpg

Left to right: Michele Smith, Caroline Vickrey, Jerry Quandt and Jennifer Kramer are aldermanic candidates for the 43rd Ward in the City of Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

Ald. Michele Smith’s challengers don’t like the planned development on the Children’s Memorial Hospital site.

Some don’t like the way it was planned; they feel like neighbors didn’t get a voice in the planning.

Others don’t like the plan itself, which includes an acre of open space, condos and apartments, retail, sidewalk cafes, a playground and public art.

RELATED: Election 2015: Your guide to Chicago mayor, alderman candidates

But Smith summed up the development as a “new neighborhood crossroads,” a Goldilocks story of finding the right fit for the area.

“Some people wanted it too big. Some people wanted it too small. We got it just right,” she said.

Candidates for alderman in the 43rd Ward also discussed property taxes and the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School annex when they met with the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, ahead of the Chicago municipal election on Feb. 24.

The 43rd Ward includes Lincoln Park, the Gold Coast and Old Town.

You also can hear from those that filled out our candidate questionnaire in their own words and read highlights of the discussion, below.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES

PHOTOS:

CANDIDATES_CST_XXXX15_4303_51468753.jpg

Michele Smith is an aldermanic candidate for the 43rd Ward in the City of Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

CANDIDATES_CST_XXXX15_4305_51468757.jpg

Caroline Vickrey is an aldermanic candidate for the 43rd Ward in the City of Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

CANDIDATES_CST_XXXX15_4310_51468769.jpg

Jennifer Kramer is an aldermanic candidate for the 43rd Ward in the City of Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

CANDIDATES_CST_XXXX15_4307_51468761.jpg

Jerry Quandt is an aldermanic candidate for the 43rd Ward in the City of Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

LIVE UPDATES

The Latest
Bagent also said the negative publicity about teammate Caleb Williams leading to the draft has turned out to be “completely false.”
Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Massey, who had called 911 to report a possible prowler. He has pleaded not guilty. The family says the Department of Justice is investigating.
Here’s how Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Convention are embracing Charli XCX’s social media post that sparked a cultural movement.
Thousands gathered in Union Park for the Pitchfork Music Festival, the Chicago Bears started training camp at Halas Hall, and Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her presidential campaign.
Williams got in defensive end DeMarcus Walker’s face as he went after tight end Gerald Everett on Friday.