Community organizer Kevin B. Morrison ( D ) is running against three-term 15th District Cook County Commissioner and Illinois Republican Party Chair Timothy Owen Schneider.
Windy City Times: What has the campaign trail been like since you were officially declared the primary winner? Anything interesting or unexpected you would like to note?
Kevin B. Morrison: What gets me out of bed every day is knowing that I will be out knocking on doors and talking to constituents throughout the district. That has given me energy over the past year. It is incredibly humbling and exciting to see the support we have built through the primary and afterward. I am ready to flip this seat and get to work, bringing solutions to the issues that are affecting our families throughout Cook County.
WCT: Which issues have 15th District voters expressed to you and how will you address them?
KM: Almost every family in the Northwest suburbs worries about property taxes. The top issues I hear about are property taxes, better job opportunities because many families are not thriving economically and affordable healthcare and more specifically mental healthcare.
I met a grandmother whose 21-year-old grandson was diagnosed with schizophrenia who needed full-time mental health services. They were told it would take two years to place him in a facility in Illinois. It was suggested that they check him into the Cook County jail, which is the largest provider of mental health services in the United States. He is now getting those services in Texas. It is heartbreaking.
The cost is $59,000/year per inmate, and Sheriff Tom Dart said in 2017 that 50 percent of the inmates are there due to mental health issues. We could be using our tax dollars far more effectively if we dealt with the root of the issue, which is affordable and accessible mental healthcare.
WCT: What other issues do you want to highlight that were not discussed in your previous interview with this publication?
KM: I want to see frequent implicit bias trainings with every Cook County employee who deals with constituents because, as we see across the nation and even here in the county, that bias takes a toll when it comes to our court system, prisons, law enforcement and medical staff. I will make sure every Cook County resident receives fair treatment when they are receiving county services. We need to especially ensure we are standing up for the transgender community, who are still being targeted at a higher rate than any other group.
WCT: Tell me about this small business ordinance you want to implement.
KM: I firmly believe that you should not have to be independently wealthy to open a small business. If that had been the case when my grandfather opened his small business, my family would never have seen the middle-class.
This ordinance would protect small businesses and make it affordable for new ones to develop. In the Northwest suburbs, 35 percent of the storefronts are empty, and that is a concern. Residents want to see those filled up so the local economy can grow. Some solutions are lower property taxes on new businesses for the first two years, and lower costs for licensing agreements.
Property taxes on the whole need more transparency, accountability and equity, so every business is treated fairly, not just multi-billion dollar corporations who get the tax breaks.
WCT: Are you still committed to making this your full-time job if you are elected?
KM: Yes.
WCT: In what ways do you differentiate yourself from your opponent?
KM: I will champion policies that stand up for public safety, women's rights and LGBTQ concerns, unlike my opponent who has never done this, and has even voted against these issues. He has also voted against six of the last labor union contracts that have come before the Board. I am a strong supporter of unions.
WCT: How has being an openly-gay and younger candidate impacted your campaign?
KM: I am incredibly grateful that I can be an out candidate because that was not always the case, especially in this Northwest suburban district. The fact that it has not become problematic with constituents shows how much things have changed for the better. Coming from a kid who was a victim of bullying during my middle and high school years, this support means everything to me.
What has been unexpected is the people who tell me it is refreshing to see someone who is younger running for office. When I was first deciding to run, my fear was I would not be taken seriously because of my age and to my surprise and gratitude that did not happen.
WCT: If you had to tell voters why they should choose you in a few sentences what would those be?
KM: I will always be available to my constituents and make sure their voices are heard, including having regular town halls throughout the district. I will always fight for policies that help marginalized communities, women and working families so they can live and thrive.
To read more about how Morrison stands on the issues, visit www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/ELECTIONS-COOK-COUNTY-COMMISSIONER-15th-DIST-Gay-candidate-Kevin-B-Morrison-on-LGBT-issues/61926.html .
See www.kevinbmorrison.com/ .
See more Windy City Times 2018 candidate interviews and election coverage at www.windycitymediagroup.com/gaynewsarticles.php .
