Jose E. Arteaga, nicknamed "Joee," is making his debut in politics this year, running for alderman in the 48th Ward.
The 36-year-old Arteaga has been a paramedic for 17 years and was in the U.S. Army. He is gay and has been partnered with Steve Boudreau, who works at a major Chicago law firm, for 16 years.
Windy City Times: Why are you getting into politics?
Jose E. Arteaga: I want to try something new. The old 48th Ward political ways are not working. Most people I speak to from my ward are unhappy.
WCT: What made you want to enter politics?
Jose E. Arteaga: A few weeks before Christmas, a young man was shot in front of [the bar] Big Chicks. I was told a million different versions of what happened that night. I asked as a concerned neighbor, community leader and taxpayer. No one knew anything. The alderman knew nothing; the police knew nothing; and the police liaisons knew nothing. No one ever called me back—people seemed annoyed and bothered that a member of the community was concerned about a shooting one block from my home, in front of a business that I am a patron of.
A week later, a female runner was attacked in Buttercup Park along the lake. The same answers were given to me. No one knew anything. This is where the idea started. A friend of mine said, "Why don't you run? You would be a great alderman?" I had all the qualifications and plenty of heart and passion. One week later, I was gathering signatures for my petition.
WCT: What do you bring to the political world?
Jose E. Arteaga: I bring a fresh new outlook. I bring a new eye to old problems. I bring youth and innovation. I also bring a lot of heart and passion and a new attitude—Let's try something new. I have an open mind, and most important, I work hard. I'm not just going to talk. I'm going to do. In the U.S. Army I learned to lead and I learned organizational skills. I learned to delegate and prioritize. Most important, I know that I can listen. I listen and learn. I don't know everything but I'm willing to learn and I will fight for the people of the 48th Ward. Anyone who believes they know everything no longer listens. I know one thing, the people of the 48th Ward are tired of not being listened to.
WCT: What are your strengths?
Jose E. Arteaga: I am self-motivated. I learn fast. I'm open-minded and fearless. My motto has to be, "I know life is hard and I don't mind."
WCT: What are your weaknesses?
Jose E. Arteaga: I am, at times, too passionate. I want to fight for all who can't speak up or fight for themselves. I want to "try something new." I want everyone in my ward to have a voice.
WCT: So who is Jose Arteaga?
Jose E. Arteaga: I'm a South Side kid who beat all the odds. Statistics said that I, for many reasons, should not do well in life. I beat all the odds. I educated myself. I served my country. I served the City of Chicago. I have been in EMS for almost 20 years. I work for the community. I don't talk about it. This is a tough question for anyone. I don't think anyone can just say, "This is who I am." So, I'll leave it this way: To be continued. I'm still evolving as a person, as a human and as a man.
WCT: Why should someone vote for you?
Jose E. Arteaga: Once again, "I'm trying something new." I will not speak ill of my opponents. For decades in Chicago politics, people have been mudslinging and it gets them nowhere. I won't do that. This election is not about the candidates running for the offices. It should be about the voters and the citizens of the 48th Ward. It should be about the economy, education, crime, becoming green, taxes and city services. These are the issues I'm fighting for.
WCT: What's the biggest surprise you've found so far in the political world?
Jose E. Arteaga: It has been how some people don't know or care about politics. Many people don't know the process of getting on a ballot, or the process of running in a major city like Chicago. Some people don't know the dates of an election or what ward they live in. As I have said, 'I'm trying something new,' so whatever I learn, I pass on to those I speak to.
WCT: What do you want to do for the 48th and how do you plan to get things done?
Jose E. Arteaga: The major concern I have heard from the people of the 48th Ward has been about safety. I totally believe that if you clean up and make Argyle, Thorndale and Sheridan [Streets] safe, you could be made mayor. I have, and will continue, to call the police. I will encourage everyone to call [the] police weekly, daily [or] hourly if we have to. The police must be held accountable for their service. We need more police liaisons for our Ward and precincts.
I want high-rises to go green. More recycling and more information distributed to these buildings on energy efficiency and green solutions.
I will fight with the city to keep taxes down and keep the level of services up, [including] police, fire and street cleaning. I will hold these services accountable for their actions.
For the businesses of my ward, every Friday I will volunteer working in your businesses to get a first-hand look at what you need and what I can do for you. Yes, I'm serious. I will work for you for free to see your business, [see] how it runs and what makes the 48th Ward the great place it is.
I was given a challenge and I accept. I will donate $10,000 of my salary each year to the 48th Ward if I'm elected Alderman of the 48th Ward. This money will be used for extra street cleanings, parking permit slips, a new street festival, schools, nursing homes beautification projects … whatever the 48th Ward decides how $40,000 (over my four-year term) is spent. This isn't a bribe—it's my desire to give back to my community.
I am qualified. I am passionate and doing it "old school." I'm walking the streets in the cold, talking to anyone and everyone who will listen. I'm putting up posters, and once again, educating myself about what the people of the 48th Ward want and need. I'm listening. I'm young and open. I have served my whole adult live and I'm ready to serve for the rest of my life. Give me a shot!
WCT: What is your position on having a school exclusively for LGBT students?
Jose E. Arteaga: That's a tough one. I think that it would be a good idea. There's a lot of bullying going on, and if [such a school] made LGBT students would make them feel safer, I don't think it'd be a bad idea. Some people might say that it's segregation or separation and I'd say, "Well, kids don't feel safe going to a school they [feel] they don't fit into. It might be better going to school with someone who has the same outlook, the same fears."
WCT: Do you feel that an alderman who is being investigated for illegal activity should step down?
Jose E. Arteaga: Yes, I do—in any arena. If you're going for a position where you're going to speak for others; if you're in a position where you're leading; if you're not on the up-and-up and someone calls you on it, I think you owe it to others to step down and say, "Do your investigation. I can get back on the ballot." I don't think that, if you're investigated, you can get the things done that you need to get done.
Rod Blagojevich is probably the best candidate I can think of. He knew he was wrong, he knew he had done wrong and he had that ego—and that's not what the public needs. The public needs straight answers, and people need to take responsibility.
WCT: Do you feel that being the ward's only out candidate gives you any sort of advantage?
Jose E. Arteaga: I don't think so. Gays are powerful, smart and informed. I don't think they're in that mode of "Hey! Here's a gay candidate. Why don't we jump on this bandwagon?" I think they want to be recognized as being politically aware, so I don't think [my sexual orientation] is an issue.
WCT: What are the biggest issues/concerns you see for the 48th?
Jose E. Arteaga: My greatest concern for my Ward is that people won't come out and vote on Feb. 22. My other concern is they won't take a chance on a new kid [who is] "trying something new" and they will end up with nothing changing in the 48th Ward.
