Spirited 40th Ward challenger Dianne Daleiden has lived in the ward for three decades, and is a middle-school teacher and active member of West Andersonville Neighbors Together ( W.A.N.T. ).
As a community activist, Daleiden has regularly come up against her opponent, Ald. Patrick O'Connor, regarding ward issues such as jet noise complaints and charter school expansions.
Windy City Times: What distinguishes your campaign from O'Connor's?
Dianne Daleiden: My campaign is distinguished from O'Connor's because we're progressive. We represent the 40th Ward and I don't think Pat O'Connor fits our ward anymore.
WCT: What specific goals do you want to accomplish in your ward?
Dianne Daleiden: One of my goals, other than regular ward issues, is that we need participatory governance in the 40th Ward. We have to replace our voter apathy with civic engagement. We have terrific neighborhood organizations and voice to listen to in the community. I would really like to have a more open, and not top-down, management in existence.
WCT: As a community activist, you've been very vocal about TIF transparency and accountability in your ward.
Dianne Daleiden: I think TIF money could be used to help small businesses get open and stay open. There are many areas in our ward, although most of us think of Andersonville, Edgewater, Ravenswood, etc., but the Lincoln Avenue corridor could use TIF money for small businesses, community organizations and social service organizations that need to service the community and provide jobs. TIF money would be a good use to local businesses instead of connected commercial real estate developers.
WCT: What are your thoughts on the recent minimum-wage increase?
Dianne Daleiden: I think it's going in the right direction, but it's not enough. We need $15 an hour now, and I'd like that to be from large corporations who can afford it. And then look at what small businesses need and then graduate that level somehow so all workers end up with a living fair wage.
WCT: What issue is not getting enough attention?
Dianne Daleiden: I'm active in many community organizations and my local Catholic parish, I'm a CPS teacher … and what I hear from people when they express apathy is that they feel there is nothing that can be done. One of the biggest issues, citywide and ward-wide, is top-down parental-style management with no input from everyday residents who want a fair shake.
WCT: What are your views on the Chicago Public Schools in your ward and overall?
Dianne Daleiden: I've canvassed hard to help get an elected school board on the ballot in the 40th Ward in February. Until that happens, nothing's going to change. We need educational leaders, parents, teachers, principals, and students to help run the school at the school board level; not connected corporations and business partners of politicians. I'd also like fully funded public education in every single neighborhood.
WCT: Would you advocate for mandatory anti-bullying policies/training in Chicago public schools?
Dianne Daleiden: Oh, absolutely. I think it needs to be mandatory and monitored. Input from educators would be welcome in terms of how to best disseminate that program.
WCT: What do you think are the causes of, and the solutions for, the crime rate in Chicago?
Dianne Daleiden: I have given that a lot of thought. I think we need to fight poverty at every level in every part of our city. I think we need to have fully-funded services in every neighborhood, including schools and mental health clinics. We need to have accessible, safe, and better public transportation in some neighborhoods. We need to give neighborhoods options—the minimum wage plays very hard into my fight against poverty. We also need a fully staffed, fully trained, well-rested police force would help. Overtime is not a successful policy for keeping police on the street.
WCT: What do you think would help the relationship between police and marginalized groups, such as the transgender community and people of color?
Dianne Daleiden: Transparency in all conversations in Chicago is needed. Again, instead of the top-down management in which we live in many cases. A community-based police force needs to go hand-in-hand with neighborhood organizations and community leaders in terms of communicating wants and must-haves. We probably need more effective programs in public schools to reach out to communities and that better suit the needs of those communities.
WCT: What is your position on abortion as it pertains to the law?
Dianne Daleiden: I'm a child of the '50s—I was in high school when Roe v. Wade passed and I'm a proponent of all people having choice over their bodies.
WCT: Would you install a written policy in your office regarding sexual-orientation and gender-identity discrimination?
Dianne Daleiden: Would I write something and enforce it? Absolutely! There is no wiggle room when it comes to people's rights.
WCT: Do you favor marriage equality ( marriage between two people of the same gender )?
Dianne Daleiden: Yes.
WCT: Do you favor hate-crimes legislation that increases penalties for crimes committed based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the person attacked?
Dianne Daleiden: Absolutely, I abhor discrimination in all forms.
WCT: Do you believe that LGBT individuals have the right to adopt children or become foster parents if they are qualified?
Dianne Daleiden: Yes, if they're qualified, they're entitled to the same rights as everyone else and the child would be lucky to be in a qualified home.
WCT: What do you think is one of the most interesting or appealing features in your ward?
Dianne Daleiden: We have a melting pot of a ward. It's interesting to me that it hasn't spread citywide in a way. We have a wonderful community and it has many types of people living many types of ways and we're all part of building and maintaining it. I never cease to be amazed by the human spirit and that's apparent in our ward.
For more information on Dianne Daleiden, visit www.dianne4ward40.com/ .
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