2023 Mayoral Candidate Submissions
The Mayor has the power to move the City of Chicago into a recognized national leader of food justice, thriving local food systems, and vibrant, healthy communities. Mayoral leadership is key to leveraging the resources and capacity to create a political atmosphere where the city can work alongside organizations like the ones who put this questionnaire together.
The aim of this questionnaire is to inform the 2023 Mayoral candidates on pressing food justice issues today and inform Chicago voters on their positions.
This questionnaire was developed by the Chicago Food Justice Rhizome Network, a group of passionate individuals and organizations across the Chicago region that collaborate on advancing a more equitable and sustainable food system.
CFPAC sent the following questions to all mayoral candidates on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023. The following candidates submitted their answers, all other candidates have yet to respond:
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green
MAYORAL CANDIDATE JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward—
“There are several ways we can make food justice more equitable and inclusive, including:
Strengthening Chamber of Commerce to connect business owners to opportunities to grow their businesses
Making it easier for these business owners to legitimize their businesses -whether that’s waiving certificate fees or business license fees
Ensuring our minimum wage is at a minimum a livable wage
Working with philanthropic organizations in Chicago to increase grants to BIPOC food businesses, workers, coops, and farms
Working to convert City owned empty lots in predominantly BIPOC neighborhoods into urban farming space
Offering incentives to landowners with empty storefronts to rent to BIPOC businesses
Applying a Bad Business Fee to companies who fail to pay their employees a living wage, fail to operate in a way that’s inclusive for people with disabilities, or engage in other violations “
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green —
“Wealth building opportunities for BIPOC Chicagoans, across the food chain and other industries, are centered in my policy development because they are a crucial root of other problems in our city. I have committed to enabling Chicagoans to start, build, and run businesses, even and especially if they are of a less privileged socioeconomic background.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“Issues like this have multiple layers, but the first requirement is intentionality. You can't just hope BIPOC interests are met or even considered unless you develop policy that specifically addresses how BIPOC will be included on both the business side and the consumer side. I've done some work with Black-owned food coops and been a big part of working to eliminate food desserts. And one of my most frequently stated campaign comments is this: All 77 communities should be self-sustaining with all of the goods and services people need - and very high on that list is access to high-quality, healthy groceries, including fresh produce. I would create a program that offers grants, employment opportunities, tax breaks and other incentives for an entire pipeline of BIPOC to address food desserts. I'd like to see a network of minority-owned farms, distributors, coops, individually-owned groceries and suppliers to existing stores that would first fill the needs of marginalized areas with a need for healthy, fresh food, and then grow beyond that.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Of the many negatives brought on Chicago’s south and west side communities by redlining, impediments to starting a business and making a living is one that has hindered many generations from finding success. A lack of access to loans and other necessary financing to start a business in Black and Brown neighborhoods are hurdles the city must help entrepreneurs from these communities overcome. Providing access to small scale physical plants can be the lifeline a street vendor or cottage food operation needs to get off the ground. The Discount Mall (currently under threat) in Little Village is a perfect example of this, as is the food court in Chinatown. The city should pull out all stops to protect precious institutions like this. A range of strategies may include special zoning and taxing districts, subsidies, and outright purchase and co-management with qualified community groups. In addition, we will examine ways to create more vendor locations in other neighborhoods so residents in each community in Chicago have the opportunity to share their culturally unique cuisine with the city, and find personal success while doing it. This will keep dollars in their community and become a magnet to attract area residents and tourists to their community.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward—
“It is unacceptable that community members have to commute to a grocery store. Every neighborhood needs to have access to quality and affordable produce. To make sure that is the case, we will have to analyze and understand what options are available to historically divested neighborhoods and then figure out how we can fill in those gaps. That means working with the existing vendors but also bringing in new retailers that are incentivized to stay and grow in the communities they serve. Making sure we provide a welcoming environment for businesses to stay and operate is a key part of my financial and economic plan, available at www.kamformayor.com/4-star-agenda/.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green —
“We will approach each and every issue in our city through the lens of equity, and lead with collaboration. The city will invest in infrastructure and comprehensive business and tax reforms to grow the availability of fresh and affordable produce, and ensure special attention is taken to bring historically divested neighborhoods up to the highest standards.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“My answer to Question #1 is a big part of that solution. but in addition, we need to work with existing grocery companies who will make a commitment to these neighborhoods. We need agreements and incentives that reward companies who invest in these communities, but doesn't allow them to take money up front and disappear a few years later as has happened under previous arrangements. I'll also encourage more coops and grocery stores in traditionally Black and Brown neighborhoods with financial incentives, grants, and low-cost or even no-cost loans.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Food, and access to it are central to city life. Transportation, creating jobs, and creating housing are some of the most important opportunities to improve Chicago communities today, but weaving itself through the center of each individual issue is food. Buying groceries and food is something that every Chicago resident should have easy access to every day. What good is high quality public transportation if it can’t get you to the grocery store and get your groceries home? Securing a stable, well-paying job is supposed to “put food on the table”, but it can’t bring a grocery store closer to your home if there isn’t one nearby, and our time is a limited resource just like money. Recently published research shows that women who are single heads of households are actually majorities in communities that experience food apartheid. New housing, its orientation, its density, and its form can make or break the economics required to support a grocery store in a community. Sometimes having a grocery store isn’t enough. In many communities that do have a full-service grocery store, it is often under-resourced and poorly run, resulting in poor quality food and run down facilities which undermine the dignity one is supposed to gain from being easily able to shop for fresh food in their community. If elected, I want every community in the city to have the option to buy fresh food from a food retailer who respects their dignity as a customer. This means that stores must be clean and accessible. In Chicago, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of national and local food retailers with established supply chains in the region, and I will work to engage these companies to increase the quantity and quality of food options city wide, not just in the neighborhoods that already know abundance. There are many actions large and small that can be taken to address fresh food access, and getting more stores from well-capitalized national and local chains is the largest scale opportunity available to making fresh food abundant in the entire city. The City needs to take a leadership role in changing this pattern once and for all, and needs to do all it can to get grocery projects over the institutional hurdles that have kept stores out of these communities for decades.The city faces a steep challenge in making this happen. The legacy of devastation wrought by segregation and redlining on our communities is directly responsible for the continued lack of investment today. To address quality, I will step up the city’s health code enforcement apparatus immediately so we can identify and address issues in lower cost grocers long before their problems get so bad the city is forced to shut them down.To bring new stores to neighborhoods, I will direct the Department of Planning and Development to work with the Housing Department, CDOT, CTA to ensure that all community reinvestment plans are comprehensive development plans including housing, transportation to jobs, health care and commercial areas that must include full service grocery stores. We will tap and coordinate state, federal and City financial resources to create a long term plan for grocery abundance and stable local commercial areas that will start by convening residents, neighborhood groups, Chicago based grocers, real-estate and business consultants with grocery expertise, and the department’s planners to identify: What residents want from a food retailer store What conditions food retailers currently look for when opening a new location What sites throughout the city, especially in areas far from current food retailers stores, have the best geographic potential for a future store What actions the city can take to make these sites more attractive to food retailers and how the city can be a good partner in facilitating development How we can create replicable site plans that fit within the urban fabric without imposing onerous extra development costs that could sink new projects I will also support efforts to establish non-traditional food retailers, such as food cooperatives, as means for providing high quality, high value, affordable, and nutritious foods as well as growing community wealth. We can establish a multiplier effect by also linking food retailers to local sources, such as Chicago-based vertical farms and community gardens. It will also be important to understand the direction in which the market for groceries is moving, with delivery becoming a larger share of the way people get their food. Making sure that infrastructure which supports delivery (Bike Lanes, EV Charging facilities, delivery parking spaces) are equitably implemented throughout the city so the benefits of delivery can be enjoyed by residents in all parts of the city will be key, and a way to ensure that this new channel of grocery marketing reaches the city in a more equitable manner than previous ones.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward—
“To best serve our families in our communities we need to make sure we hear from them about what they want and need. That’s why I will make sure that those at the forefront of systemic inequities are at the table when the City’s departments and agencies make decisions around food equity that impact them directly. We must create a transparent process that includes community outreach and feedback to create community driven solutions that are sustainable.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green —
“Under a Green administration, conversations regarding all issues but especially food equity will be handled through ongoing communications with stakeholders, where everyone has a seat at the table.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“I will ensure this by specifically design programs to work that way. I want a full slate off community envoys in my administration that will work closely with all populations, but especially those that are the victims of systemic inequities. My programs in this area will mandate leadership by, employment for and primary delivery to people and communities in marginalized categories.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“My campaign is centered around finding community based solutions to Chicago’s problems. Chicago is the organizing capital of the US, and my administration's solutions to food inequities will address these problems from the community’s perspective. Food is an intensely personal part of the lives of Chicago residents, and not fully listening to and incorporating the ideas of our communities into solutions will set them up to fail. Providing food access to communities is providing them the ability to continue cultural traditions, and a cultural identity. A neighborhood with access only to mass produced junk-food is not a neighborhood where a community and its culture can thrive, and only the community can tell us what they truly need.”
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)?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“My administration will work with CPS and local school boards, along with other City-run community food access sites, to broaden criteria for selecting their food vendors without compromising safety. We will create more affordable commercial kitchen space for already existing businesses that are Cottage food operations or mobile food vendors so that they can operate as qualified vendors who can secure contracts with these food access sites. We’ll also encourage these city access sites to prioritize contracts with vendors that are BIPOC and locally owned so that more money stays in the community.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will reduce barriers via strategic investment. City contracts, including those for food suppliers, will be audited and re-evaluated, and moving forward will be structured with attention to equity and quality.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“As stated in early answers, I want to develop an entire BIPOC-owned ecosystem / infrastructure in our city. Part of that is ensuring they have fair access to contracts let by the city and our vendors and partners. I'd mandate that a percentage of food contracts for, say, Lollapalooza or the United Center or Taste of Chicago) must come from this newly created ecosystem, and then provide the programs that support these businesses or coops and set them up for success.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Embedded in GFPP is the implied role that anchor institutions such as the City, CPS, the Park District, and City Colleges of Chicago on greater inclusion of BIPOC farmers and food businesses. This can be done through aggressive procurement outreach and by contractually obligating food vendors and retailers operating at public venues (e.g., the airports) to increase purchases from BIPOC farmers and food businesses. Cash flow is an important factor in the viability of all small businesses, especially food producers who operate on very thin margins. In my economic development plan, I’ve committed to improve city services supporting small businesses, such as streamlining licensing and eliminating delays in payments by the city. In addition, we will explore other market-supports, such as a guide to food purchasers of Chicago-based producers and peri-producers. Actively seeking additional vendors to meet local food needs, not only by including them as a vendor with the city, but providing some technical assistance in doing so, can be a value-added activity for community development.”
How will you budget for GFPP implementation with City of Chicago’s departments and sister agencies?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will look to see if there are funding opportunities already in our City’s budget and in our sister agencies’ budgets that we can tap into to budget for GFPP implementation. We’ll start by evaluating these budgets to understand their existing revenue and identify ways to assist them in filling any of their gaps. I also plan to commission a task force to look into additional potential revenue sources. We will cooperate with all of Chicago’s departments and sister agencies to repurpose existing funds and new revenue sources to create a GFPP budget that promotes health and well-being in all our communities.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will ensure GFPP is implemented in a timely manner through strategic cooperation with the City Council and other stakeholders.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“I've been a long-timer supporter of the GFPP program, the efforts of Leslie Fowler and efforts to improve the fortunes of BIPOC in general. There is always money for these types of programs because they build valuable infrastructures that will eventually contribute to city finances, provide jobs, employer people and make residents healthier and more productive. There are many ways to budget and pay for this. I would have all city departments and sister agencies in or adjacent to food purchasing create a carve out for suppliers / providers in this new space. That doesn't add any significant cost or need for budgeting. In addition, I would look at a variety of revenue streams that could contribute to the grants, loans, tax breaks and other incentives I would use to help get these businesses off the ground and into prosperity”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Eventually, GFPP should not require significant special subsidies. A food business should be able to stand on its own. To get to that point, the city must, in cooperation with “sister” agencies, the county and state, may need to provide subsidies in the form of infrastructure, technical assistance, special tax incentives, and financial assistance. We will draw on federal resources and work in partnership with philanthropic organizations. Direct support from the City will be balanced among the many operational and investment priorities of Chicago. I will establish a working group of stakeholders and the budget office to examine support options to be presented to the City Council.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“My administration will mandate that these institutions and private sector partners abide by GFPP standards.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will work directly with local and regenerative farmers to partner with purchasers, as well as provide resources for institutions and private sector organizations seeking to source food per GFPP standards.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“In many cases we could mandate our city departments, sister agencies, contractors and vendors purchase at least a percentage of supplies that abide by GFPP standards, local organizations, regenerative farmers and culturally resonant foods. Of course, culturally resonant foods would be part of another campaign (in addition to GFPP) to make sure people in Chicago have access to foods they know, and are being introduced to foods that celebrate the cultural diversity of Chicago.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“The city could elevate GFPP recognition to institutions that abide by GFPP standards. But more than that, if there are elements of certification that are more difficult than others, the city could assist in developing a strategy with stakeholders to meet GFPP standards, such as identifying food providers within the certification geography or creating an economic development strategy to cultivate them locally.”
local access—
What policies would you implement that would guarantee every neighborhood has retail access to fresh, high quality foods?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will task the City Council Healthcare Committee and CDPH to conduct an analysis of what neighborhoods are lacking retail access to fresh, high quality foods and then connect with community members to identify what type of retailer they want to see in their neighborhood. Then, it’ll be a matter of negotiating with retailers and creating financial incentives for them to open in those neighborhoods with the highest need. In parallel, to make sure these retailers stay open, we need to work on improving public safety.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will use publicly-owned grocery stores where needed to ensure not only that there are fresh and high quality groceries in every single neighborhood, but that those foods are accessible and affordable for all Chicagoans.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“As mentioned earlier, I want all 77 communities to have access to fresh, high-quality foods. I would work with every marginalized community currently suffering from inadequate food resources to address their specific needs. In some cases we would need to build food resources up from the ground in a particular community, in others we would have to supplement existing resources. An important element I stress in my campaign is allowing communities to tell me what they need. So I'd empower a group of residents from each community to give me a report on what they need and how we can best address it. This would be a very high priority for me.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“In each community area, at least one service should provide fresh quality food, whether it is a food bank, grocery store, or delivery service. The grocery store locator should be expanded to include all types of fresh food providers and a strategy for expansion into underserved areas should be developed. I will work with stakeholders so that sufficient services and financial support will be available to keep the access to fresh, high quality foods in all neighborhoods for as long as it is needed.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“We need to have farmer’s markets on the South and West sides of Chicago because all people need access to fresh and healthy food. My administration will work to find days and times that work best for the community and ensure there aren’t conflicts with other farmer’s markets so that vendors don’t have a conflict of interest. We can incentivize vendors to sell in these markets by not charging space fees. We also need to ensure that vendors accept EBT and other sources of payment. My administration will work to institute these changes.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will work with communities to develop farmer's markets on the South and West Sides through a public-private partnership, allowing us to leverage community advocates to drive turnout to farmers markets and grow the appeal of South / West Side markets to farmers.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“As a nearly life-long South Sider this is something I'd be excited to do. When I say I want all 77 communities to be self-sustaining, one of the things I envision is opportunities for recreation, family activities and the like. A chance to hold farmers markets in neglected communities is a multi-faceted opportunity. It's a new business opportunity, a new source of healthy food in a community that most likely is lacking in that area, an opportunity for families to enjoy a community event, increased business for nearby restaurants and other retailers and a place where parents can teach their children about nutrition. Of course, I'd envision this for the West Side and any other communities lacking in food resources. In order to get this started I'd work with non-profits in the food space and community organizations in each neighborhood to develop a spring-through-fall schedule of these types of events. Some areas might be ready to sustain weekly or monthly farmers markets, and for others it might be best to start with one and refine things such as location and hours based on the result. A coordinated schedule would allow each one the best opportunity for success to two nearby communities aren't competing on the same day.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Perceived high levels of disposable income,community density, and access contribute to the likely success of these farmers markets. Many studies have shown that communities labeled low-income have great spending power. With this in mind, informed participation goals and community organizing is needed to ensure success of farmers markets. The city can assist in identifying areas on the south side not currently used for farmers markets that have population density and spending power for success, and streamline the process for farmer’s market approval and vendor participation if desired by neighborhood leaders. Farmer’s markets face the problem of being dependent on good weather and growing seasons. In the near term, if a community’s access to produce depends on a weekly or bi-weekly outdoor market, it runs the risk of losing access due to inclement weather, as well as for the entire winter season. The city should make school gymnasiums or other large, publicly owned indoor facilities in communities available as a backup location once markets are organized, so residents can be confident their opportunity to buy groceries at a market is guaranteed year round.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“A lot of the empty lots are in neighborhoods that have been victims of environmental injustice, which is why I plan to prioritize sustainable and environmentally sound projects that will benefit the community. I will give tax incentives to the owners of empty land to lease to urban farmers, establish grants to make water accessible in these lots, and reevaluate the barriers that exist so we can find sound solutions that will benefit urban farmers and public health.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“Part of our $77 million dollar investment into neighborhood block clubs will include grants for those block clubs wishing to develop a city owned vacant lot into a community garden, coop, or co-op urban farm. We will guarantee continued access to land used for food production via deregulation.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“This is another very important issue to me. I have hundreds of vacant lots in my ward and putting them to productive use is among my highest priorities, not just in my area, but across the city to address blighted communities and eroding Black population. I'd be very interested in working with community organizations who want to activate these spaces. The City would first pay for any cleanup and environmental testing and remediation these lots need, which would be a benefit to the neighborhood in and of itself. Then non-profit partnerships between food groups and community groups would get grant money to create the farms and staff them with people in need of job opportunities - that could be citizens returning from incarceration, students in need of work-study opportunities and income, or other members of systemically under-served groups. Of course all efforts in this area would create legal exemptions for these groups related to land use and sales licensing.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Some standards for the sale of city-owned parcels and addressing remediation abatement should be explored with the department of planning and development and the future office of environment. Any future city policy regarding the status and extent of Urban Agriculture must be developed and implemented at the local level, by ward, community area, or an even smaller subdivision. Urban Farms can be an important bridge to finding more productive uses for vacant land by preventing dumping, abandoned buildings, crime, and other negative uses from filling the void of occupancy. They can also become community institutions, serving as educational resources, jobs for youth, and a place to gather. Widespread agriculture in an outdoor urban setting, can come with problems, as runoff and leaching of fertilizer can create unnecessary pollution that would not otherwise be present. Maximal conversion of vacant lots to farmland could also become a barrier to the future recovery of a neighborhood, as it could reduce the amount of land available for housing and economic development as a neighborhood’s economy recovers, hampering the ability to mitigate gentrification pressures. Vertical farms are able to solve many environmental challenges, however, the high capital costs serve as barriers to long-term success. The city should work with prospective vertical farm operations to improve licensing, provide infrastructure and related capital assistance as part of the city’s overall investment strategy, and examine food-inspection regulations to conform better to the realities of indoor farming. In summary, the community must be the voice setting goals and a vision for their future, and it is up to the community to decide how and where urban agriculture fits into that vision.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will make sure that employers are held accountable to paying fair wages, providing predictable schedules, and offering paid sick time. My administration will create an information campaign to inform employees that they can report any labor abuses immediately without fear of retaliation. We would also track complaints, so that the city can interfere if an employer has more than one complaint. All of this would be housed in the Department of Labor, which I’m committed to standing up as Mayor.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“It is crucial that employees in all industries, including food service, are affording comprehensive worker's rights. The city is responsible for enforcing this policy and we will work to make sure all employers are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“We need an ordinance, or set of ordinances, to address equity and work-life balance in the food industry. This includes sick leave, healthcare and other benefits such as paid time off, and more.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“I will ensure that that office is fully staffed and well resourced in order to ensure that it can continue to hold employers accountable. Furthermore, I will collaborate with the County’s Human Rights Commission and community partners and advocates to further our goals.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“Yes.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“Transparency is a crucial component of a properly functioning city, and I am committed to ensuring transparency whenever possible.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“Yes. That should be public record available on a timely schedule.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Yes.”
Will you support a “One Fair Wage” for tipped workers, eliminating the tipped minimum wage for restaurant workers?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“Yes.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“Yes, a One Fair Wage will create sustainability and improve working conditions in the service industry and allow Chicagoans a reliable living wage.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“I would look at this, but I don't know that I'd want to act immediately or universally on it. I know a lot of servers, bartenders and other tipped workers who don't favor this because they fear an increased wage would cause customers to reduce or stop tipping, and they currently make very good money under the current system. I do understand not all tipped workers are quite so fortunate and there are abuses, and I would immediately work to address those situations. I do believe every job should pay a livable wage. I would also support enhanced enforcement of the portions of the minimum wage law that requires tipped workers total compensation to be at least minimum wage, something that is not widely known and often abused by employers.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Yes.”
local entrepreneurship—
How do you intend to support the development of sustainable, humane and livable wage jobs within the Chicagoland food supply chain?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will work to make sure the minimum wage rises with inflation, and ensure we aren’t relying on an outdated minimum wage that was negotiated in 2016 while the cost of living changes. I will work with the Department of Labor to assess and evaluate wages and make sure workers are making a livable wage.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“With vigorous enforcement of our existing wage and working condition laws, we will be able to support such development.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“One answer is to address the problem legislatively, which I would do. People who go to work should be assured they are going to earn at least a predictable, living, baseline wage before any tips and bonuses. This would clear up abuses from existing employers. Then I would use a combination of legal requirements, incentives and recruiting to bring larger employers to Chicago that believe in fair wages. Of course, all the jobs created in building a local food infrastructure would meet livable wages standards.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“The new economic investments from the federal and state government and required utility funding constitute a generational opportunity to develop a workforce that is prepared to take advantage of and thrive in the Green economy. Chicago under my Administration will create a comprehensive and inclusive Green Jobs Program that serves Chicagoans of all ages, abilities, skills, education, races, ethnicities, places of origin, gender, veteran-status, and justice involvement, and in all places. . My environmental justice plan proposes that the city establish the Chicago Green Municipal Bank (CGMB). This will use funds from the federal government, pension fund portfolios, the Illinois Climate Bank, philanthropy, and other institutions to create innovative financing products and bring the green economy to Chicago's historically underserved neighborhoods.”
How will you better support and coordinate efforts to train beginning farmers and food producers across the City of Chicago and its foodshed?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will work to empower existing groups that have been dedicated to these efforts for years. I will make business development grants available to them so that they can sustain these efforts in their communities.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“Under a Green administration school systems will be trade and tech hubs, and that includes offering coursework on urban agriculture.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“This is an opportunity to develop training programs that could have a place in CPS - both for current students and after-hours for adults - community colleges and under the umbrella of other learning institutions and community organizations. I'd also help develop a summer farming program for youth to spend time productively and learn something that is, at a minimum, a life skill and potentially a career opportunity.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“In my environmental justice plan, I call for supporting community research and focus groups such as the Food Equity Council to actualize their intersectional vision for replacing intentionally created food deserts with thriving local economies that also address food insecurity. I will continue this support while in office and will rely on community partners.”
How will you incentivize and invest in local processing, aggregation and distribution of local, regeneratively grown food products to and among Chicago communities?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“ I will incentivize and invest in local food products by providing business development and job training grants for organizations already doing this work. We can train new, local workers to build out the industry. I would also incentivize other entities to contract with local farmers and food producers and reduce fees for food processors to operate.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“I will commit to working with organizations specializing in activism around the subject to craft a functional plan which will incentivise and invest in this field.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“There are incentives in much of the policy I have discussed. Mandates for city departments, sister agencies, contractors, etc, a network of farmers markets, incentives for local stores to buy from homegrown producers, etc.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“The newly established Department of the Environment under my administration will provide a home for incentives and investments.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“Chicago is a hub for commerce and unfortunately a lot of the polluting vehicles are coming in from outside of the city. In order to have a significant impact, I plan to work with State and Federal legislators to create more protective standards and put in place stricter pollution regulations so that our communities aren’t forced to suffer from poor air quality that leads to high rates of asthma or other serious diseases. This work will include efforts to electrify the CTA bus fleet and school buses; my administration’s Department of the Environment would lead the way on all of this work. All of these commitments and more are outlined in my comprehensive environmental platform: www.kamformayor.com/4-star-agenda/environment”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We are the only campaign to put forth a city-level Green New Deal proposal which would address environmental health planning.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“Environmental issues, especially in a city such as Chicago, always are a matter of equity and racial justice. I would immediately re-establish and empower a Department of the Environment to address these serious issues.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Flood mitigation is key. Some examples include stormwater management that can slow and eliminate sewer overflows, improving water quality. Green infrastructure could both mitigate stormwater and provide water for urban agriculture. There are several solutions to related problems that environmental health planning could help address, and the future department of environment can lead that effort.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will make sure that there are green incentives in place for businesses to operate in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We are the only campaign to put forth a city-level Green New Deal proposal which would address environmental health planning.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“My Department of the Environment and other city agencies will be empowered to put polluters on strict notice with deadlines, create immediate remediation programs and then increasing fines and punitive measures if not addressed.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“The key to mitigating harms from the operation of food business within the city will align with efforts regarding the shift to electric and possibly hydrogen-powered vehicles and trucks in the coming years. Chicago, along with our State and County partners, will need to do everything in our power to compete for federal infrastructure funds to ensure the city’s EV infrastructure keeps pace with the nationwide transition. Any delays or failure to do so could mean having emitting vehicles on our streets longer than would otherwise be necessary. Electrification of vehicle fleets at food business won’t solve every environmental impact, but it will eliminate the two worst, emissions and noise. Furthermore, the City must engage with businesses that have local trucking operations, and must pursue all avenues from an infrastructure perspective to get these fleets electrified. Local fleets by definition operate only in the Chicago area, and can be much simpler to electrify with investments in their bases of operations.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“Any environmental justice initiative under my administration will have employment requirements that will ensure that these opportunities are available and accessible to BIPOC.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We are the only campaign to put forth a city-level Green New Deal proposal which would address environmental health planning.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“As mentioned previously - through grants, incentives, purchasing mandates for city departments and sister agencies, etc. In addition, I would seek to recruit environmentally friendly business and non-profits working in this space to help recruit and develop these types of businesses to come to Chicago, especially our South and West Sides.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Under my leadership: We will create a new office within the Department of Transportation to coordinate and scope contracting for alternate composite materials besides traditional concrete and asphalt, and promote permeable pavers, bioswales, and native seed mixes instead of hydroseed for restoration. We will address Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) labor and equipment shortages that prevent them from performing common-sense operations like extending street sweeping services to prevent sewer blockage from late-falling leaves. Investments in stormwater retention and management will be accelerated to protect homes and businesses from flooding and protect our waterways from sewer overflows. Strategic investment in critical water infrastructure will prioritize equitable access to clean water and sanitation, saving money by avoiding increased public health challenges and flood remediation The Office of City Treasurer should gradually disinvest the city’s holding in polluters and invest in proven green alternatives.”
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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“My administration will work with healthcare providers to create free health programs for community members, establish access to quality and affordable produce in all neighborhoods, and set higher standards for healthy whole-food meals at all CPS schools.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We would begin by working to eliminate food deserts and expand access to fresh, healthy groceries across the South and West Sides.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“A few ways:
Increase nutrition education in schools and through city programs.
Develop a concrete plan to provide healthy food and produce in all parts of the city.
Ensure the food is affordable enough for anyone to buy and offer financial supplements to anyone who can't afford them.
Immediately end the contract with Aramark that feeds junk to our CPS students and replace them with a company that believes in healthy nutrition as part of a school curriculum. “
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“The private food market does not serve the food health needs of some of our Chicago neighborhoods. With some guidance from the city, we can hold summits with impacted communities to identify some alternatives, whether it is a food cooperative , year-round farmers markets, an urban farm CSA, or some sort of online delivery system.”
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.
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“Yes. I will host listening sessions throughout our communities to make sure these voices are heard. I will work to build coalitions of organizers who do this work and bring them into the decision-making process.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“I will rely heavily on the guidance of activist organizations, as well as those already working in the space (such as neighborhood groups, mutual aid orgs, and food pantries) to craft policy.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“Absolutely. It's something I discuss often on the campaign trail. Working with residents looks exactly like the Police Reform I fought for seven years to get through the City Council and brought into law - the most sweeping police reform in the nation. During that battle I worked with a diverse group of City Council members and had meetings across every part of our city, hearing from hundreds of community groups.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“As Mayor, I would direct the CDPH to convene city, public health and community stakeholders to describe some potential options to address food deserts and affordability and to hear from impacted communities what they would hope to see. This topic could also be included in the budget engagement activities done by my office of budget management.”
diverting food waste & composting—
How would you create a city wide composting program within your term of office?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“First, I will look at other cities who have done this to see how they’ve been successful. Then I will launch a pilot program to make sure we can scale the effort for Chicago and then expand to the entire city.”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will work with the City Council and other stakeholders to prioritize creation of such a program on an expedited timeline.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“I'd work with environmental groups under our Department of Environment to help identify the proper strategy and infrastructure, and begin one as soon as feasible.”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“There are nearby examples of successful municipal composting programs. Oak Park comes to mind. This task would fall under the purview of the future department of the environment. Once the staffing is in place, I call for a city-wide composting 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?
Mayoral Candidate Kam Buckner of the 26th ward —
“I will work with these organizations to figure out how we can create programs that allow these food distributors to safely donate resources to community outlets and benefit communities. Some organizations and apps are already in place that are allowing food that would otherwise be thrown away as waste to be sold at a discounted rate, but we need to broaden that access and distribution (safely, deliberately, and efficiently).”
Mayoral Candidate Ja’Mal Green –
“We will provide incentives to these businesses to minimize food waste and divert those food products whenever possible.”
Mayoral Candidate Rodrick t sawyer of the 6th ward—
“Through a network of support - grants, loans, incentives, etc. - based on working closely with the group”
Mayoral candidate JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA—
“Collaboration of all these stakeholders is indeed a challenge. Identifying the willingness for food recovery and determining how the distribution locally would be both a logistics and cost challenge that the city could be a key convener in facilitating.”