WCT - In this election cycle, Windy City Times mailed questionnaires to every registered citywide and aldermanic candidate, to their address on file with the board of elections.
The questions were about a wide range of issues, LGBT, HIV/AIDS, minimum wage, crime, youth experiencing homelessness, and more. Some questions did not have a yes/or no or "correct" answer, but involved more nuance and detailed narrative answers. Therefore, this cycle we are rating candidates on an A-F scale, not by numbers. Readers will note not very many were below a "C" because those candidates likely did not even bother to respond to a survey from an LGBT newspaper. One surprising "C" was 3rd Ward Ald. Pat Dowell, who noted her opposition to marriage equality, despite being progressive on most other questions.
Also this year, we are doing something different, since some candidates really took the time to explain their positions in detail. We will be posting all surveys, as turned in by candidates, on our website. Look for a link under the Politics button at the top of our website, or search for the headline "2015 Election Survey Responses."
Windy City Times does not endorse in any elections, but we hope our survey educates readers who are making tough choices for citywide and aldermanic races Tuesday, Feb. 24. Unfortunately, no local LGBT political organizations are significantly engaged in this election cycle, despite the important decisions ahead for LGBT Chicagoans and our allies. However, there are endorsements from organizations this publication deems to be relevant.
In addition, readers are urged to check out the mayoral and aldermanic candidates' responses to questionnaires from the Active Transportation Alliance ( www.activetransportation.org/blog/kwhitehead/where-do-chicago-candidates-stand-active-transportation-check-out-our-2015-voter-gui ) and Organization Neighborhoods for Equality: Northside, or ONE: Northside ( onenorthside.org/aldermanic-candidate-questionnaire-responses/ ).
Also, responses to Access Living's questionnaire are at www.accessliving.org/1410ga87. Access Living is committed to fostering an inclusive society that enables Chicagoans with disabilities to live fully engaged and self—directed lives.
IVI - Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization
CAI - Citizen Action Illinois
GIA - Grassroots Illinois Action
SEIU - Service Employees International Union
CTU - Chicago Teachers' Union
PP - Planned Parenthood Illinois Action
EIP - Equality IL PAC
In addition, the Victory Fund has endorsed the following candidates for Chicago City Council: Raymond Lopez ( 15th ); Deb Mell ( 33rd ); Tom Tunney ( 44th ); and James Cappleman ( 46th ).
Linked below are the results of the surveys mailed to the five candidates for mayor of Chicago, as of Tue., Feb. 10. To view the full surveys, follow this link:
www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/2015-Election-Survey-Responses/50447.html .
To view and print comprehensive charts for Election 2015 follow the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/2015chartsweb.pdf .
Read more election-related articles at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gaynewsarticles.php .
