Election 2015: 43rd Ward candidates discuss the issues

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

• Michele Smith (incumbent)
• Caroline Vickery
• Jennifer “Jen” Kramer
• Jerry Quandt

PHOTOS:

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

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

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

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

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