2023 Aldermanic Municipal Election Candidate Submissions
The Chicago Food Justice Rhizome Network developed a questionnaire for 2023 Aldermanic Candidates with the aim to foster a conversation about how we can advance a more equitable and sustainable food system, and to inform Chicago residents on each candidates stance when it comes to food justice and policy matters. If you want to learn more about how your future alderman would respond to food injustice, we encourage you to reach out to your local alderman in your respective ward with this questionnaire and submission form and we’ll publish their beginning on February 5th, and continue to do so as more responses are received.
Candidate responses —
We received responses from the following Aldermanic candidates, all other candidates have yet to submit their responses.
Stephen “Andy” Schneider of the 1st Ward
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd Ward
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward
Racial equity—
How will you ensure wealth building opportunities for BIPOC food businesses, workers, coops, and farms are centered in your food justice advocacy and policy development?
Stephen “andy” schneider of the 1st ward—
“ It’s critical that community engagement process is used when developing food justice advocacy and policy to ensure that wealth building opportunities for BIPOC food businesses, workers, cooperatives, and farms are centered. Actions should be taken to create equity in the food system by investing in infrastructure like community farms, urban orchards, or community supported agricultural initiatives of varying scales. Establishing community-driven development plans that engages community leaders and stakeholders alike is also essential. These efforts should strive to create “food islands” within communities of color to address the structural racism found in food deserts and lead community members towards financial stability. Ultimately, progress lies in centering justice when advocating for these community members through initiatives like micro- loan programs, match savings programs for entrepreneurs, or farm-to-school legislation – all to promote equitable practices among historically marginalized populations!”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“ Our top food justice priorities should be to rid the city of food desserts, ensure all Chicagoans healthy food, and ensure all Chicagoans the free time necessary to prepare healthy food. As we work towards those goals we must center the working class in all our efforts; in improving food outcomes, but also where our food is sourced from and how it is distributed to the working class. Since BIPOC communities have disproportionately suffered negative outcomes under our current system, we should prioritize those communities as we work to uproot that system. Large corporations have significantly contributed to the historic marginalization of BIPOC communities and as much as possible we should attempt to remove large corporations from the solutions we imagine to the systemic issues we face. I believe we should provide free tuition for all Chicagoans at City Colleges. I support year-round youth employment programs and initiatives to involve young people in their communities. Overall, I believe that the programs we initiate to guarantee resources to Chicagoans should be run by the city to ensure that the employees putting in the work are unionized, government employees receiving adequate pay and benefits. The city should prioritize hiring people from communities to do this work so that, as much as possible, the resources invested into a community stay in that community. In my own ward, I am working with community groups to establish paid internships for young people at local businesses, where they can learn skills and support a local business, including opportunities to learn cooking skills in local BIPOC owned restaurants.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“ I support efforts to transition our industrial corridors filled with polluters, to seek opportunities in expanding innovative food growth, coops and farms to expand food justice and security in our city's underserved communities. I am always available to discuss legislation and organizing efforts to build the political willingness for these reforms and changes.”
How will you commit to providing all Chicago residents with access to fresh and affordable produce from retailers (both large and independently owned) that are invested in community health and well being through deliberate, long-standing, and sustainable investments, starting with historically divested neighborhoods?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Committing to providing all Chicago residents with access to fresh and affordable produce is an important part of community health and wellbeing. We plan to bring this commitment to fruition through community engagement, equity, justice, and sustainable investments that strive to achieve long-term impact. To begin, we will focus on engaging stakeholders in historically divested neighborhoods who have been unable to benefit from community resources. Funding commitments must go into creating equitable opportunities for these communities while still staying true to justice of investment measures. We are dedicated in our endeavor and only striving towards the betterment of all those affected in a community-centered approach.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“In order to eliminate food desserts, I support an approach of municipal-run grocery stores. These city-run groceries should be operated by unionized employees and should not be run for a profit but rather should be run in a way that prioritizes the health of its customers, their communities, and our environment at large. To that end, I support developing community farms, in addition to city-run grocery stores. We have ample space to experiment with vertical farms throughout the city. Overall, we should focus on healthy sustainability and start these programs in historically marginalized communities. In the 33rd Ward, I instituted democratic decision making by instituting Participatory Budgeting and Community Driven Zoning programs, allowing ward residents to vote on how money is spent and what zoning changes are approved. Through Participatory Budgeting, we have been able to bring community gardens and a food pantry to the ward. I also helped establish mutual aid networks and ran food pantries from my Aldermanic office during the pandemic.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“I have introduced legislation called the Vaccines for All ordinance to expand community health workers in our communities and opportunities for public health in our communities through our schools. I am open to exploring cooperatives, donating land, utilization of public resources like TIF or advocating for state or federal funding to guaranty food justice in our communities and community centers that build intergenerational opportunities for sharing food knowledge and building and strengthening community.”
How will you ensure that those at the forefront of systemic inequities (especially BIPOC, undocumented, LGBTQ+) people are at the forefront of both conversations and solutions around food equity in Chicago?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Food equity is essential to creating meaningful community change, and providing an equitable experience for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identification, or immigration status. To address food inequity in Chicago, a community engagement process that includes those at the forefront of systemic inequities is necessary. This process should be rooted in equity and justice, encouraging community members to come together to best represent the diverse stakeholders that engage with the food system. This collaborative approach can ensure effective implementation of strategies, connected with community-identified solutions and resources. Ultimately, it is vital that all community members are leading this process as they are the ones with the most knowledge on how to create lasting social change.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“Throughout my term I have been committed to prioritizing BIPOC-owned businesses for city contracts. I have also sought to engage historically marginalized communities in our decision-making processes. For decades the activities and decisions of city government were intentionally mystified. One of my primary goals has been to reverse that. I want us to work together to get to a place where people do not think of the government as something separate from the people but rather to think of governance as something we do together both as a community and in the interest of our community. As we work towards solutions to all issues facing the city, we must receive input and buy-in from those most affected by those issues and especially those in historically marginalized communities. Their marginalization was intentional, and their empowerment should be equally intentional. Our campaign strategy and path to victory is and always has been to engage disenfranchised and disenchanted voters. We conduct year round organizing on issues that matter - such as housing and expanding mental health care - and prioritize voter registration drives. We never limit our voter contact lists to only those who have voted in past elections and we work hard to invite everyone we talk to Meet and Greets to engage on the platform and give feedback on the change they want to see. Neighbors who are unable to vote in Illinois have a voice in the 33rd Ward. Anyone who lives in the ward can vote and be a member of the Participatory Budgeting project in the ward to have a say in how funding is spent and can participate in Community Driven Zoning to have a voice in what changes are approved.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“The people closest to the pain are the most effective leaders. In the 25th Ward, we have been effective in elevating voices of leaders in stakeholders meetings and in organizing campaigns. We must grow our coalitions to ensure our communities concerned about the future of our industrial corridors and environmental justice, are connected with food justice advocates to bring our campaigns together and move forward to systemic change.”
Good food purchasing—
How will you reduce barriers for BIPOC farmers and food businesses that want to supply food to City-run community food access sites (schools, senior meals, summer meals, emergency food, festivals, etc)?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“In order to combat the disproportionate lack of access to community food resources experienced by BIPOC farmers and food businesses, we propose launching a community-driven engagement process. This process should draw upon stakeholders from impacted communities and seek feedback to inform an equitable approach to developing public policy. Such an approach will ensure that our community food access sites prioritize equitable opportunities for currently underserved BIPOC farmers and food businesses. Additionally, public policy solutions driven by community feedback will promote broader community buy-in, sustainable solutions and greater chances at community success.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“We should work to reduce barriers to entry for community farming, including lifting prohibitions on vacant land that require modest restoration rather than full environmental remediation, and reducing water key fees (from the current $1500) to urban farmers by a fee structure tied to income. The mayor has spent 4 years studying an issue for which the survey and research work was done a decade ago and sits in a drawer because there is no Department of the Environment, which I would like to see re-established. Additionally, we should promote the necessary infrastructure and support in the context of economic development plans by requiring developers to do restoration of vacant areas surrounding vacant areas as part of their Community Benefit Agreements. Finally, we should provide tax abatements to grocers/markets that meet certain thresholds for supplies from local urban BIPOC farmers.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“In the 25th Ward, we have sought to elevate BIPOC owned food businesses. We must provide transparency in the city's procurement process and seek feedback from BIPOC food producers/businesses on how to lower barriers to participation and ensure our city is investing in our local producers.”
How will you budget for GFPP implementation with City of Chicago’s departments and sister agencies?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“To successfully budget for GFPP implementation with City of Chicago’s departments and sister agencies, an extensive community engagement process is essential. This will ensure all stakeholders, both internal and external, are aware of the importance of funding GFPP initiatives and are committed to making the necessary sacrifices in order to see the plans reach fruition. Funds can then be sourced from multiple sources such as government grants or private donations, as well as through stakeholder contributions. The planning stage must take into account resource availability and timeline to create a realistic model of fund allocation that is agreeable to all parties involved.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“There are many ways that the city can generate progressive revenues to fund programs such as this, including the real-estate transfer tax, the financial transaction tax, a tax on vacant commercial and residential properties, a tax on luxury rental units, a municipal income tax that exempts Chicagoans making below a certain level. Some of these measures would require action at the state level before they could be implemented, but I am prepared to fight alongside my allies at the state level to make that happen. Chicago has not, and does not, lack the resources to be able to fund necessary programs such as this; what it has lacked is the political will to implement them. I support funding from the city for additional city departments and sister agencies, beyond CPS and DFSS, to implement components of the GFPP.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“I support fully funding the GFPP implementation. With climate change and racial justice continuing to rise in urgency, the need for rapid implementation of GFPP is a top priority. In the 25th Ward we have conducted public hearings about the budget to organize support for funding needed programs.”
How will you incentivize and encourage local institutions and private sector partners to abide by GFPP standards and purchase from local and regenerative farmers that grow culturally resonant foods for Chicagoans?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Chicago is committed to promoting the growth of local and regenerative farms to provide culturally resonant foods for their community. To do this successfully, we must incentivize and encourage our local institutions and private sector partners to abide by the standards set forth by the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP). A community engagement process can be used to ensure mutual partnerships with all stakeholders. Additionally, metrics can be established in which accountability is regularly measured to ensure a successful transition. Lastly, based on the results, incentives such as discounts or upgrades may be introduced to directly motivate them towards continued GFPP success. This will ensure a strong community effort in which everyone shares resources and knowledge in order to achieve sustainable solutions.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“It is critical that Chicago residents can access quality food that they want and need in their local communities. I am open to exploring financial incentives and disincentives for businesses to encourage adherence to GFPP standards.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We must ensure vendors and participants in the Chicago contracting procurement program have have tool they need from City Council to ensure a procurement program that pushes our private sector to abide by GFPP standards.”
local access
What policies would you implement that would guarantee every neighborhood has retail access to fresh, high quality foods?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“In order to ensure that every community has access to fresh and high quality foods, it is vital to implement equitable policies. This can be achieved through community engagement and gathering insights about community needs and preferences. When launching the process for revitalizing the food system in any local community, a diversity of stakeholders involved should be taken into account including representatives from the public sector, private businesses, community-led initiatives, students, and academia. In addition to allowing for an accurate understanding of community needs and concerns, this approach must involve community members and leaders at each step of the way while providing citizens with economic opportunities to take ownership over their food security as well as ensure independence from corporate development forces.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“We should work to set up a City operated agricultural transfer station in BIPOC areas acting as an intermediary receiving urban agricultural products and brokering it to grocery stores and markets, including a program to move unsold products to shelters and non-profit food depositories and distribution centers. Additionally, I would like to explore the idea of municipal-run grocery stores that would operate in food deserts to ensure all neighborhoods have equitable access to fresh, high quality foods.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“It is abysmal to see so many neighborhoods in our communities have little to no access to fresh healthy food. Leaders in every community must be accountable for supporting leaders across the city in ensuring all our mouths are being fed. I support community driven conversations to grow public awareness of this topic and the solutions available, and grow organizing to win the political willingness to implement legislative and administrative changes needed. I also support an elected school board now to ensure our public school system is a partner in this process, not an obstacle.”
Most of Chicago’s largest and best attended farmers markets are on the North side. What will you do to incentivize and invest in community-led points of food access on the South side of Chicago?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Investing in community-led points of food access on the South side of Chicago is critical to achieving equitable food security across the city. We will begin this effort by identifying areas in need and collaborating with community leaders to develop strategies that are tailored to their neighborhoods' needs. We can use a combination of grant programs and community incentives, like offering free or discounted market tokens to community members, as well as infrastructure investments - such as direct partnerships with community-based farms and agricultural education collaborations - to encourage healthful eating options, support local businesses and enhance community engagement. Through these efforts we believe we can create localized infrastructures for food access that can bring about meaningful change for those living on the South side of Chicago.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“We should be requiring Community Benefits Agreements from all major developments in our neighborhoods, which should include public access to green spaces. I also support using city land for the development of parks and community gardens. In my own ward, I have used Participatory Budgeting to develop community gardens and worked to link Global Gardens - an urban refugee training farm to local restaurants and would like to see funding and infrastructure for similar projects on the South and West sides of the city.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“I support community driven conversations to identify obstacles to growing opportunities for food access on the south side of Chicago, and working together to eliminate those barriers.”
What will you do to support the activation of vacant, city-owned lots specifically for the purpose of sustainable urban farms and gardens? How will you guarantee continued (and increased) access to land used for food production in the city, including reducing barriers, such as difficulty accessing water, prohibitive sales laws, etc?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“To support the activation of vacant, city-owned lots for sustainable urban farms and gardens, I intend to take an approach that is community-driven and equitable. This will include engaging community stakeholders in dialogue to help identify the resources necessary for these projects and understand any barriers that may amplify inequity. Additionally, community involvement will ensure community accountability with property owners throughout the process. In terms of reducing barriers such as difficulty accessing water and prohibitive sales laws, we need to pair community engagement with policy reform to guarantee continued and increased access to land used for food production in the city. This multifaceted approach is likely to yield positive results in realizing sustainable urban agriculture in our communities.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“Yes, I do. Unfortunately there is not very much vacant land in my ward to support farming and even with urban farms generally permissible in commercial zoning districts, the start-up barriers and costs to entry (water, rent) can be really difficult to navigate, however, I am very willing and eager to work with the food justice and urban agriculture communities to build momentum for farms in the communities I represent. A major issue with activating vacant lots for farming is that the land is usually heavily polluted. As part of a Green New Deal for Chicago, I support having teams of unionized, city-employees clean up the pollution in our soil. But that takes time. I support vertical farming as a way to jump-start our program of sustainable urban farming. In all cases, these activities should not be privatized, but should instead be run by the city as public programs with input from the community.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“I support the use of vacant city owned lots for exactly the purpose of growing sustainable urban farms and gardens. I would support legislation and policy change to encourage this land use and support the installation of water service for community supported farms that ensure output from the farm directly serve surrounding communities.”
farm and supply chain labor—
How do you intend to build on the Office of Labor Standards’ resources and enforcement authority to hold employers accountable, especially in the food industry?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“In order to build on the Office of Labor Standards (OLS)'s resources and enforcement authority, equity in labor should be at the forefront of our efforts. This means making sure that employees are fairly compensated for their work and labour is protected from exploitation. A fully staffed OLS audit system with teams traveling throughout the state is essential for enforcing workplace policies and submitting investigative reports to educate employers about equity standards. Additionally, forming relationships between businesses, workers, and unions can provide further support for those facing opportunities or exploitation in the food industry. Ultimately, through these initiatives the OLS's resources and enforcement authority can deliver equity and justice to those seeking safe workplaces.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I believe the working people’s strength has always been our numbers, and in our organizations. To me, being pro-worker means being pro-union, as unions are the means through which regular people are able to advocate and fight for their interests collectively. At this moment, the best thing that individuals can do to improve material conditions for the working-class is to organize their workplace. Throughout my time in Chicago, and in my position as alderwoman especially, I have stood with organized, and organizing, labor. I work frequently with organizations like Latino Union of Chicago which works to support, protect, and organize day laborers and domestic workers. Latino Union provides these workers with support against wage theft and immigration cases while also organizing workers to advocate for policy changes. I support various worker protections such as the Labor Peace Agreement (Human Service Workforce Advancement ordinance) which would prohibit union-busting activities by any businesses or nonprofits which receive funding from the city in order to provide services.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We must fully fund the Office of Labor Standards and ensure it is being led by proven champion of labor rights. In the 25th Ward when the city has been unresponsive to holding big businesses accountable for labor standard violations, we have sent our superintendent to conduct reviews, which have forced compliance and supported the rights of workers on a rapid basis. We have toured food facilities in our ward. We are very responsive to concerns brought forth from workers.”
Will you commit to ensuring that food service corporations that win public contracts with City of Chicago departments and sister agencies make their food purchases publicly transparent so we know which food corporations are being supported with the City’s funding?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Yes, I am committing to ensuring that food service corporations with contracts from the City of Chicago departments and agencies are held accountable for their food purchases. This will mean written stipulations in the contracts regarding transparency and disclosure. We should hold our vendors to a high level of integrity by having an established policy to follow that encourages accountability at every stage. By implementing these steps, we will be creating a vision of what can be accomplished in terms of transparence when engaging with our partner companies that hope to win public contracts with us.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“Yes, transparency in how city funding is spent is critical.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“Yes.”
Will you support a “One Fair Wage” for tipped workers, eliminating the tipped minimum wage for restaurant workers?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Yes.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“Yes, I fully support this. Restaurant workers - and all workers - deserve a fair, livable wage. I also support the spirit of the Fair Workweek Ordinance and would push to lift the exemptions for employers.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“Yes, absolutely. And I won't take political contributions from institutions advocating against this.”
local entrepreneurship—
How do you intend to support the development of sustainable, humane and livable wage jobs within the Chicagoland food supply chain?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“As a means to support the development of sustainable, humane and livable wage jobs within the Chicagoland food supply chain, I intend to take an active role in organizing within labor unions to propel positive change. Additionally, I plan to hold food industry corporations accountable by advocating for greater transparency and enforcing labor standards through robust oversight processes. Such steps are crucial if we want any advancement towards better working conditions.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I think the best way to ensure that jobs in any sector provide a livable wage and are performed under decent conditions is to make those jobs public. Public jobs are unionized and come with a much higher degree of transparency than private jobs. I support year-round youth employment programs and initiatives that employ young people in the food supply chain and other industries. In addition, I believe that the programs we initiate to guarantee resources to Chicagoans should be run by the city to ensure that the employees putting in the work are unionized, government employees receiving adequate pay and benefits. The city should prioritize hiring people from communities to do this work so that, as much as possible, the resources invested into a community stay in that community.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We must hold hearings in the workforce committee to ensure we leave no stone unturned in growing opportunities in the food supply chain in our city to invest in Chicago residents and ensure a sustainable and resilient supply of healthy food for every resident.”
How will you better support and coordinate efforts to train beginning farmers and food producers across the City of Chicago and its foodshed?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“To better support and coordinate efforts to train beginning farmers and food producers across the City of Chicago and its foodshed, community engagement is essential. By investing in community-based organizations, workforce development programs can be tailored towards the specific needs and preferences of community members, which would better equip beginning farmers and food producers with the necessary knowledge to succeed in the city's agricultural sector. As part of this initiative, further attention should also be given to addressing any equity gaps that may exist in terms of access to training or technical assistance opportunities so all community members have a fair chance at engaging with and benefiting from these beneficial initiatives.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I secured a microgrant for students from Roosevelt High School, which is located in my ward, to work in local business to learn skills and get extracurricular credit. I also secured additional funding for the North River Commission to establish paid internships for young people at local businesses, where they can learn skills and support a local business. I would love to see programs like this expanded and I am always willing to fight for city budgets that fully invest in the job training programs we need.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“Our city departments must develop their programming to be stronger leaders in supporting Chicagoans seeking to become sustainable food producers. I would support an investment in bringing our departments up to speed in this area, because there is a critical need.”
How will you incentivize and invest in local processing, aggregation and distribution of local, regeneratively grown food products to and among Chicago communities?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“As a community, we must invest in the local processing and distribution of food sources within Chicago communities in order to increase community engagement and create equitable food access across all neighborhoods. We have the opportunity to harness the talent and input of organizations, community members, and experts alike to think of creative solutions for expanding access to healthy foods. Through incentivization, community-level investment can help address inequitable access to food—such as the vast disparities between affluent areas with numerous grocery stores and “food deserts” without any affordable options. By working together, we can begin to make this necessary change within our communities.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I want to see more farms in my ward. Each year since I was elected, ward neighbors vote in a Participatory Budgeting process to decide how funding would be invested in the ward. Last year, neighbors voted to fund the development of a more permanent food pantry that is maintained by a community garden, Drake Gardens. I am also working with Global Gardens - an urban refugee training farm in my ward to connect them to local restaurants to provide locally grown produce while increasing income for families who are a part of Global Gardens.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We have been fiercely supportive of entrepreneurs in the 25th Ward. We would work to expand conversations about these topics and ensure our office is supportive in eliminating barriers to this community aspiration to invest in these institutions.”
environmental health in planning—
How will you support environmental health planning across the city that improves air & water quality, urban agriculture & food accessibility and reduces waste production?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“To support environmental health planning across the city, climate justice must be a key factor. It's essential to ensure equitable access to improvements in air & water quality, urban agriculture & food accessibility and waste reduction for all communities. At the same time, successfully carrying out this initiative requires community engagement: partnering with local leaders and organizations dedicated to climate justice is an important step toward achieving outcomes that improve the health of our cities. Local policy implementation taken in support of climate justice can create long-term positive change in reducing climate instability while also creating equity in how resources are distributed among city neighborhoods.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“Access to clean water is very close to my heart. Originally from Puerto Rico, I attended my first demonstration at the age of six, when my neighborhood of Mariana waged a successful battle for public access to drinking water. Here in Chicago, I support the Water For All ordinance. No one should be denied any resource necessary for survival because of their income level. I am committed to ensuring that all people have the resources necessary to live with dignity, including clean water. I recently introduced the Healthy Homes Ordinance which would institute the first rental housing inspection program specifically with the goal of identifying units without working heat, lead paint, and more. I would certainly support efforts to improve air and water quality, promote circular economies, and compost programs.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We have been forceful in dto emanding a cumulative health burden study to proceed consideration of issuing permits for pollution. This study and its findings would also grow the political willingness to expand growth of food justice and sustainable food growth institutions in environmental justice communities. We support open planning meetings with stakeholders at the planning and decision making table. We have been supportive of efforts by El Paseo garden but understand institutional investment is needed to grow these efforts.”
How will you collaborate with food businesses/companies to end environmental injustices resulting from food system activity, like diesel emissions, compromised air and water quality, etc?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Working with food businesses/companies is a key component in our agenda to end environmental injustices resulting from food system activity. We believe climate justice can only be achieved by fostering equitable community engagement and comprehensive policy implementation. We will work together with food entities to create impactful outcomes that respect climate justice, preserve biodiversity and protect vulnerable communities from the unequal effects of climate change. Our approach looks beyond just working with traditional stakeholders - we are open to engaging unconventional agents, research institutions and governmental bodies across multiple sectors for a more comprehensive take on climate justice. Only by working together can we truly achieve the collective goal of ending these environmental injustices.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I support various strategies to limit diesel emissions, air and water pollution that harm our communities. In City Council, I was very proud to be part of the fights against General Iron and Hilco during my first term. I support limiting the number of warehouses that can be within a certain area and within a certain proximity of residential areas. I would support implementing measures that force warehouses to use electric or non-diesel trucks while near residential areas and then switching to diesel trucks, if necessary, once the trailers have been transported an acceptable distance from residential areas. I would also support taxing warehouses per truck and using the revenues to establish pollution mitigation. Further, the city should move away from using fossil fuels in every way that it can, including switching city vehicles like buses to electric. I would also support a program which helps subsidize the cost of converting existing buildings to using electricity rather than fossil fuels.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We have been forceful in demanding a cumulative health burden study to proceed consideration of issuing permits for pollution. We have a community driven zoning process to allow public input for zoning decisions including having held meetings for new food businesses opening in the 25th Ward which included public questions and answers around truck traffic and environmental impact. We will continue to challenge private industry to diminish the environmental externalities borne by surrounding communities.”
How will you support green economic development and BIPOC entrepreneurship in these communities including renewable energy, green transportation, food waste and composting, stormwater management, habitat restoration, and energy efficiency programs?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“In order to support green economic development and BIPOC entrepreneurship in communities, climate justice must be at the heart of any policy implementation. This means actively engaging community stakeholders and being mindful of equity among those most impacted by climate change. Focusing on renewable energy, green transportation, food waste and composting, stormwater management, habitat restoration and energy efficiency programs is a key component of climate justice. It is also important to monitor outcomes in each program area when assessing successful climate justice initiatives. Doing so can help ensure long-term sustainability of climate justice practices within these communities by encouraging collective efforts that prioritize climate resilience over short-term return on investments.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I work frequently with organizations like Latino Union of Chicago which works to support, protect, and organize day laborers and domestic workers. Latino Union is in the process of launching a cooperative business incubator and I’ve promoted the city’s recent Community Wealth Building initiatives to the chambers of commerce in our area. There’s so much more to be done on this front and to build both community wealth and communities of care. I’m also open to suggestions and advice from the food justice community about how to seed and steward these efforts in the 33rd Ward.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“The federal government currently has expanded funding opportunities for environmental justice investments - we must utilize these resources to support investment in these programs and develop the skill sets to build a pipeline into these sustainable careers. We also must ensure our city colleges are investing in the programming necessary to train our workforce to be leaders in these industries.”
individual and community health—
How would your administration address the systemic issues causing negative, diet-related health outcomes rather than putting the responsibility on individuals?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“The first priority of my administration when it comes to addressing systemic issues causing negative, diet-related health outcomes is accountability. We need accountability for policy implementation and adherence to promote healthier living practices. This accountability must extend to all stakeholders impacted by said policies--including individuals, businesses, and organizations--while creating equitable access to safe, nourishing food sources. We will also work towards fostering community engagement with the development of health initiatives supported by the collective efforts of the public and private sectors. Furthermore, my administration has placed a high emphasis on education; our goal is to equip communities with resources and information needed to make informed decisions about their lifestyle choices. By taking these proactive steps, we understand that progress can be made in order to create an environment where healthy eating becomes the norm.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I support fully-funded public schools that would include programming including health and cooking classes. I also support community-based resources that provide cooking resources as well as community gardens. Healthy foods take more time to prepare; I support initiatives that promote free time for families like universal childcare. In addition, healthy foods can cost more; I support legislation to ensure a fair, living wage for households.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“We have been leaders in partnering with public health leaders and would continue to do so on this topic. We need an elected school board that grows opportunities for healthy eating habits and growing opportunities for our kids to participate and understand their lifelong relationship with food and ensure that relationship is healthy and joyful and creative and inspiring.”
Will you commit to listening to and working with the individuals who are seeking to create new points of local fresh food access within their neighborhoods while creating equitable economic development? Provide some examples of what working with residents would look like.
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“Absolutely! In order to generate equitable economic development and support the access of fresh foods in local neighborhoods, we recognize the importance of engaging all stakeholders. Our yes community engagement process sets us up for success by ensuring that our policy implementation aligns with all voices - those of the individuals and families most affected, as well as other partners in the sector. We will be listening to our residents and actively seek their feedback not just on their needs and desires but also their own solutions-oriented insights. To do this, we are redoubling our efforts to make our convenings more accessible, relevant, and meaningful for diverse populations. Working together with all stakeholders, we can continue to co-create models for sustainable neighborhood growth.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“Yes. Since coming into office, our office has instituted Participatory Budgeting and a Community Driven Zoning and Development process – both of which have the goal of democratizing decision-making and co-governance. I also worked with mutual aid groups and efforts to make sure families had what they needed - food, diapers, hygiene items, and financial support - to survive during the pandemic. I would look to these models as examples.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“Yes. We hold monthly stakeholder calls and would include these individuals on our agenda to kick off and grow a partnership with our existing community members who are also passionate about this issue. Many of the items that Ald. Sigcho Lopez has led on has been in partnership with passionate community members who work side by side on building the system changes necessary to change our communities for the better.”
diverting food waste & composting—
“How would you create a city wide composting program within your term of office?”
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“I would seek to set out to create a city-wide composting program throughout the course of my term of office. My plan is to begin by engaging community members through an inclusive community engagement process where I seek to understand the composting needs of all stakeholders, including assessing where there may be disparities in access. Through community outreach, I will gain insights to ensure that any policy implementation takes into account equity and fairness across different communities. With this community feedback, I will use my experience in policy design and implementation to design a successful composting program for the city.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“The immediate first step is to re-establish a Department of the Environment, which may be better suited to managing and mobilizing city resources to establish a city-run composting program citywide. To my knowledge, the existing compost pilot is only being carried out at a handful of NeighborSpace gardens and time will tell if enough city resources have been allocated to ensure the success of the pilot. Finally, I want to engage with, draw on the expertise of, and support the food justice and circular economy community in developing a citywide program.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“I support exploring this in our procurement process to build it into our already needed reform when it comes to the city's recycling program.”
How will you incentivize and support food retail, restaurants, and wholesale food businesses, especially the Midwest's largest produce terminal, International Produce Terminal, to recover and donate food to community outlets including mutual aid groups and food pantries?
Stephen "Andy" Schneider of the 1st ward—
“In order to incentivize and support food retail, restaurants, and wholesale food businesses in the Midwest's largest produce terminal, International Produce Terminal, to recover and donate food to community outlets including mutual aid groups and food pantries, it is essential to create community engagement processes that bring all stakeholders together. These processes must ensure equitable outcomes for all, particularly those in need of food donation resources. Once community agreement has been achieved, successfully implementing community policy measures should follow. Such measures need to be aimed at mitigating any financial risk for businesses taking part in the process, while still producing positive outcomes from their donations. Ultimately, such meaningful community engagement initiatives can prove beneficial for all involved.”
Alderman Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez of the 33rd ward—
“I have built close, working relationships with essential organizations and businesses in the ward. I would use a community engagement strategy to encourage businesses including restaurants and groceries to donate food to mutual aid groups and food pantries. I am also open to exploring financial incentives for businesses to encourage this.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward—
“My office has already been in discussion to explore legislation to support and institutionalize food recovery. As Alderperson, I supported the expansion of the Pilsen Food Pantry and support its service of thousands of families per month. The need is skyrocketing and we must ensure food is saved and used to address hunger in our city.”