Alderman, 47th Ward: Tom O'Donnell

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Updated: January 20, 2011 4:28PM

Birth date: 12-19-1952

Political affiliation: Democratic

Neighborhood: Ravenswood

Occupation/Firm name: Special Assistant to Sheriff Tom Dart

Marital status: Married

Campaign HQ address: 4303 N. Wolcott Ave,

Campaign website: NONE

What is your campaign budget?

$120,000

What are your top priorities for the City of Chicago?

I want to be a good legislator making reasonable and meaningful change for this great City. I consider myself a progressive candidate and I will be a fervent advocate for transparent and fair contracting and hiring; we need to do better and be inclusive and truly reflect the diversity of Chicago.

I want to promote technology and the new green economy. We need more outreach, training and education that will give opportunity to those who are suffering through this rough economic time. Chicago has a history of being a beacon of hope for those who wish to improve themselves. This is a "can do" City and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Education is the key to success. We should have the best schools, the best curriculum and the funding to make us proud of our children and their accomplishments. I don't wish to see hunger strikes because a library is needed or school closings without a thorough analysis of why they are closing. We have the third largest school system in the country, we have seen improvement for this past decade but we need to do much better.

What are your top priorities for your ward?

The most serious issues in the 47th Ward are crime, education, economic development, transportation and infrastructure improvement. The Chicago Police Department's own Crime Index shows violent crime trending higher in the 47th Ward. I know of, at least, two uncleared murders in my neighborhood. The cut-back in CAPS and the City-wide shortage of officers has to be addressed. School funding and curriculum improvement are critical to the future of the 47th Ward and the City. I believe there are eight elementary schools within the 47th Ward and three High Schools. I want to work to improve them.

Economic development of the Ward is, also, very important to me. Our City has a vibrant and diverse economy. In the 47th Ward we are fortunate to have the Addison and Ravenswood Industrial Corridor. This area has served as an incubator for many small entrepreneurial concerns. As President of the Ravenswood Community Council (RCC) for the past ten years I have been very active in trying to attract businesses to this "industrial park". Lately, green economy businesses have been moving into the area. I believe in sustainable development that will create jobs for today and preserve our planet for our children's children. I want to be involved in the development of the alternative power industry. I would support any re-educational or training efforts that prepare people for this new economy. In addition, I believe we must invest in our aging infrastructure. Two years ago a section of Montrose Ave., near my house, collapsed. Left was a 50 foot hole. It took over a year and a half to lay a new water main and reconstruct the street, curb and sidewalk. There is an overpass on Western Ave. that was built to ease congestion for River View Park; a park that has been closed for over 40 years. We need to re-construct and revitalize this area.

The city is in serious financial trouble and can't afford the level of service it currently provides. For 2011, Mayor Daley, with City Council backing, balanced the budget without raising taxes or fees, relying instead on some cost-saving measures and one-time fixes, including using proceeds from leasing the city's parking meters. Do you support this approach? What should be done differently going forward?

Please be specific about your plans to reshape government: what services and departments would you scale back or cut? Can you identify new revenue sources? How can the City reduce personnel costs? What kind of concessions should the City seek from the unions?

I disagree that the City can't afford the level of service it currently provides. I was a contract administrator for the Department of Streets and Sanitation for about seven years. The one thing that I observed, and that most people who manage infrastructure, maintenance and typical city services know, is the value of the City's grid system. Chicago's parallel and crisscrossing streets and alleys are unique and the product of sound urban planning. We need to take advantage of this infrastructure and manage it efficiently. The private sector understands both technology and efficiency. We could save millions -- in house -- by following their lead and still provide great service to our constituents.

The 47th Ward, I believe, pays the highest taxes in the City. Certainly, North Center and Lincoln Square are cited as the highest property taxed areas in the City. Our many grocery stores, restaurants, pubs and coffee houses are always packed. We must provide a good deal of the sales tax to the State and the City. Therefore, we should look elsewhere to fix this budget "hole".

I would balance the budget the old- fashion way -- spend less than what we take in. These funding gimmicks have gone on too long. Hard realities need to be faced. The prospects of getting out of this mess without pain is, I believe, delusional. The City is charged with police and fire protection and basic city services. Let's start there. If there are Federal monies available, we should seek them out or attempt to match them.

Again, I am not prepared to say we should raise any taxes. I want to open the books and begin the process of managing the budget as a shared obligation of the Mayor and the City Council.

I would, however, immediately fire the plethora of consultants that the City has accumulated over the years; saving several hundred thousand dollars annually. I would take a good look at the Corporation Council's office that seems to have taken a back seat to the many scandals over the years, and yet has freely brought in costly outside counsel. Let's keep it in-house saving, at least $20 million annually. Third, I would repeal the "parking deal" and manage our roadways ourselves. No question the parking meter system was broken and didn't reflect the potential revenue needed to provide commercial street parking, but the deal stinks and should be repealed. Let's manage the policing with City employees and parking enforcement officers in such a way that the revenue is realized by the City. A net gain of, let's say, $8 million annually, sounds doable to me.

Personnel seems to be getting smaller in the core departments. Atrition and accountable management should keep our workforce lean. I believe we can sit at the table with the unions and hammer out an equitable solution to our dwindling resources. I have sat with union representatives before and came away feeling that something meaningful was accomplished.

The city's four employee pension funds have been called a "ticking time bomb," with Mayor Daley's pension commission predicting that the four funds will run out of money in 20 years. "There is no low- or no-cost solution to this problem," the commission wrote in a report earlier this year. "Deferring action is not a viable option." What is your plan for bringing the pension funds to solvency?

First, there seems to be little oversight on these Boards. High risk investing during a tough market cycle sounds like a formula for disaster. We need more transparency and accountability from these holders of this public asset. So many retirees depend upon these funds for their retirements that I will do all that I can to ensure such dire predictions will not come to pass. Institutional investors should keep their investments in publicly traded securities such as domestic equities and bonds.

Again, to keep these funds solvent hard decisions will have to be made. After all other avenues are exhausted, we should put on the table higher contributions and increase age of retirement. However, the real culprit is the State Legislature mandating the conditions for disbursement of these funds. Reduced benefits should also be looked at, but remember, that for the vast majority of these retirees this will be their only source of income. Possibly, looking at options for newer or future employees may be more realistic.

Does Chicago need 50 aldermen? If not, what's a better number? What City Council committees could be combined? What other ways can the City Council save money?

Chicago could operate with fewer aldermen. You could make it 25 aldermen. However, I don't think there would be a great savings. We don't need an elected City Clerk; we don't need an elected City Treasurer; the State does not need a Lieutenant Governor. However, this is the reality we have today and I am uncertain as to the inertia needed to change the political landscape. We should constantly ask: how efficiently run is the office we are looking to absorb or abolish. Having worked for four years in an alderman's office I can tell you that the phones ring constantly. Without an active, engaged alderman, City Hall would be inundated with complaints and problems. The reality is that the Aldermen serve a very real service to their constituents and that if this service were diluted I am uncertain as to how it would work. I like some of what Chicago Metropolis2020 is doing in the policy and analytical fields and I intend to maintain a dialogue with that organization. I am presently with the Cook County Sheriff and we are looking to possibly assume the duties of the Forest Preserve Police. Although logical in its conception the process will be difficult and not without many roadblocks.

There are 19 Standing Committees; that seems excessive. Certainly eliminate or combine Landmark Preservation with Real Estate and a number of other committees that may lose their chair after this election cycle. I can think of about 10 Committees that meet regularly and seem vital to the City Council's oversight role.

Chicago was designed as a weak mayor, strong council form of government yet Mayor Daley wields considerable power over the City Council. What measures would you recommend to strengthen the council? On which issues should the mayor lead? On which should the council lead?

I believe the Mayor has appointed more than half of the City Council in his 22 years as the Chief Executive of this City. A special election in 1986 for the 26th Ward (Louis Gutierrez) helped change the landscape of this City in a more progressive way. Possibly, we should end this practice of appointment.

I believe, we should base our legislative and mayoral relationship from the federal & state model. Policy and budgeting is vetted through the legislative process. It is unacceptable that budgets and large public initiatives are presented and passed upon in less than 72 hours. The City Council should receive a recommended budget at least three (3) months prior to the date of its intended passage. Amendments should pass through the budget committee in a transparent and open process. Ordinance initiatives should be voted upon by the entire City Council and not "bottled up" in committee. Also, the Mayor should have the responsibility of organizing an executive team that will reach out to Alderman and seek their input on what could be done to help them manage their departments. The Mayor is and will continue to be the "face" of Chicago. As an Alderman, I intend to support whoever is successful in this race. The next Mayor will need the City Council as a partner in reforming what seems to be a deconian and secretive process. Elected leaders should equally share in this great responsibility of governance.

The city's tax-increment financing program has been criticized on several fronts, including the proliferation of districts, how money is diverted from schools and other basic city services, how TIF funding decisions are made and for an overall lack of transparency. How would you improve the TIF program? Does the TIF law need to be changed in any way?

I will involve all residents impacted in the planning, approval, and oversight of TIF districts in my Ward. I will involve them from the inception to the removal of the TIF. I am not enamored with this tax avoidance vehicle as a means of jump-starting economic development. As we know, this "development devise" has been misused and has adversely affected our schools and our police and has unfairly burdened our City's homeowners. We need transparency and accountability on all our TIF Districts in the City. Also, I would vote to terminate a TIF if the objectives of the TIF plan has been accomplished before the 23 year period ended. I would vote for an ordinance requiring that large corporate entities receiving $250,000 or more in public subsidies, and their tenants, must pay their workers a living wage.

Mayor Daley has focused on privatizing city assets. Are there any other assets the City Council should consider privatizing? If so, would you make any changes to the way privatization deals are negotiated and passed through the City Council?

Core city services should be performed by City workers. However, in the past twenty years we have privatized much of the City's towing, salt distribution, tree planting, landscape maintenance and street improvements; these services and others are now done by private contractors. I would like to see a pilot program where some of these contracted functions are done by the City again. However, on the areas that clearly are added responsibilities by the City and not core duties -- privatization should be given strong consideration. I believe that our in=house management is the problem and not the front-line worker. With today's technologies we should be able to streamline the management of projects without replacing the City worker with another worker.

Generally, City facilities should not be leased for private operation. Midway is a City asset that is truly a private/ public partnership. Why should we be lured into giving this away? I think there our policy issues, especially with regards to aviation and airports that does not lend itself to a profit/loss model. The safety of the passengers and the community are always paramount in the operation of an airport. If Midway was a failure and a drain on the City, I might feel differently. Rates and charges keep the airlines competitive; privatizing airports may disrupt this model of airline and airport competition.

The Chicago Police Department is understaffed, with no lasting budget solution in sight. Given the current staffing levels, what changes would you recommend to use resources more efficiently? Do you support realigning beats in a way that moves police from lower crime areas to higher crime neighborhoods? What should happen to the diminished CAPS program?

We need to re-examine what policing strategies work and those that have been tried and don't work. Is it wise to detail specialized units to do patrol? I'm not sure. I know that foot and car patrols makes me feel safer and I think that people feel more secure when they see an officer on the street. These impersonal technologies such as the Blue Light Cameras certainly aid police, but they don't prevent crime like officers on the scene; impersonal technologies simply are not as effective. Given that violent crime is trending higher in the 47th Ward, I am inclined not to support realigning beats leaving my residents vulnerable to crime here. Scarce resourses has descimated our CAPS program. CAPS is a great program, affording the police an open forum for true interaction with those they serve. The Sheriff has used a variation of community policing throughout Cook County with great success. This is one of those mission critical programs that needs our support.

The next mayor will choose a new CEO for the Chicago Public Schools. Do you think the CEO needs to have education experience? Should the new mayor continue the Renaissance 2010 program of shutting down failing schools and creating new ones? Should the new mayor continue Ron Huberman's "culture of calm" effort, which aims to improve the culture of the toughest schools and provides mentors and extra support for kids at greatest risk of being shot? What should CPS do to improve neighborhood schools that are struggling to educate the large numbers of students left behind, the students that don't make it into test-based, charters or other specialized schools?

Yes. I hope the next Mayor chooses a CEO who has a "substantial background" in Education. Also, I believe in innovation, competition and options. However, I have not seen the great benefit of Charter schools when there is so much to build-on with the schools we have. As far as competition, there are many faith based schools serving my area. There is an excellent Lutheran elementary school a half block from my house. I believe that if there was a demand in my area from the community for a charter school, I would know about it. I would not discourage Renaissance 2010, and I do believe in choice, but I want more for the schools we do have in the 47th Ward.

Schools can be improved by better facilities, a better curriculum, dedicated teachers and an involved community. We have two great schools in our area: Bell School and Coonley Elementary. We can do better. I like the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Magnet and Selective Enrollment. It's a start. Let's make all our schools the best. Children need options for attaining knowledge. Whatever vehicle we need to empower our neighborhood schools, I will support.

The new mayor should continue Ron Huberman's "culture of calm" effort. As far as I can see it has been a great success. What should CPS do to improve neighborhood schools that are struggling to educate the large numbers of students left behind, the students that don't make it into test-based, charters or other specialized schools? Maybe that is the Charter School option. I am open to these, and other ideas on a City-wide basis.

Do you support one or more casinos for Chicago? If so, where would you like to see casinos located?

I oppose one or more casinos in Chicago. Let's not sugar-coat this issue. Gaming isn't being debated because it will give our tourism industry a boost or because we may enjoy a night out on the town. This initiative is being driven by the huge amount of money people (READ: poor people) will gamble away and thereby fund our broken budgets and, who knows, maybe we could even get our schools some money, too. Unfortunately, there is an ever growing membership in Gamblers Anonymous and the Illinois Gaming Board has a list of thousands of people not allowed in Casinos because of their addiction and the harm they have caused to themselves and their families. Are we prepared to hire more police to patrol these areas and accept the increase in crime that inevitably follows these gaming operations? I prefer we keep what gaming we have and not expand into Chicago. This is another one of those "painless solutions" that will neither solve our budget problems nor improve our community.

Aldermen have considerable influence over TIF, zoning and other decisions, both large and small, related to development and services in their ward. Do aldermen have too much influence?

In some instances yes, of course. Stories abound about the favored treatment of aldermanic friends when it comes to zoning issues and the like. When alderman engage in such practices it only serves to undermine the faith and confidence we place in them. Consider that while alderman may assert too much influence or maybe misplace the influence that they do have, alderman are elected to serve the interests of constitutes who live in the neighborhoods within in their wards. To that end, alderman are in a unique position to balance competition for scarce real estate resources within their own wards. Perhaps it is best to leave such decisions to the alderman as they must ultimately answer to their constituents on such issues. I know I will notify all impacted by zoning changes, TIFs, or large developments in my Ward and I will let those impacted decide if we should allow such a change.

Accordingly, I believe we have become reliant on wasteful oversight committees and I do not believe that in this instance they would work. The best solution is that future alderman will be more easily recalled through the ballot box as the machinery that allowed alderman to be re-elected on a continuing basis is being disassembled.

If elected alderman, do you plan to maintain an outside job? Would you pledge not to hold any job that represents a conflict of interest, including those that involve spending public dollars?

I do not plan to maintain an outside job. I will be a full-time Alderman. I pledge not to hold any job that represents a conflict of interest with the City.

Would you accept campaign contributions or gifts from your employees? Would you pledge not to hire relatives on your staff?

If employees on my staff choose to contribute, I would review the return of the contribution on a case by case basis. I am cognicent of the employer/employee relationship , but I do not want to infringe upon their first Amendment right to express their support of my policies and positions.If employees sincerely believe in the bases of my ideologies, policies and programs and the contribution was to support the continuation of my candidacies on that basis why would I not accept such contributions. Looking at it from another view, I would never harm or threaten anyone who choose not to contribute. I also would never solicit contributions from my staff. I pledge not to hire relatives on my staff.

Does the City need to change the way it hands out contracts? Should aldermen reclaim oversight of City contracts? If so, contracts above what dollar amount?

Yes, the City does need to change the way it hands out contracts. There needs to be more outreach to the communities and businesses in Chicago. There are those venders who are too cozy with the City management and there is a lack of oversight as to whether goods and services satisfy the venders' contractual obligation. Aldermen should reclaim oversight of City contracts; certainly contracts greater than $10,000.00.

Do you support an inspector general just for the City Council? Would you support giving the city's existing inspector general power to investigate aldermen and their staffs, including subpoena power?

I do not support an independent inspector general just for the City Council. This would cost too much money and bear too little fruit. I would support the City's existing inspector general be given the power to investigate aldermen and their staffs, including subpoena power, but on a limited basis. My fear would be that an inspector general could interfere with or improperly manipulate the legislative process. Possibly an accomidation could be worked out this year.

Should there be new limits on who can lobby City Hall officials, including aldermen? Should former City Hall employees be prohibited from doing business with the city after their departure? If so, for how long?

As lawyers are unable to represent former clients within a year I belive such employees should wait a year before undertaking lobbying. If the employee oversaw a contract, then there should be a ban on that employee representing that vendor for as long as the contract exists. Transparency of lobbying activities need to be bolstered, too

What's the best book ever written about Chicago? Why?

There are so many great books written about Chicago that I am almost stumped by this question. Gus Russo's The Outfit comes to mind as way of understanding how organized crime has had a long history of influence in Chicago. Also, Mike Royco's The Boss depicts the corruption under Mayor Richard J. Daley's reign and really lays out the insider-dealing culture that has permeated Chicago politics. But I prefer the more historical stories about Chicago. The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson describes the beauty that Daniel Burnham and other noted planners created in Chicago and the big city malaise that could allow evil to destroy you in the form of Doctor Holmes. The 1906 Upton Sinclair novel The Jungle highlights the plight of the working class and the corruption of the meatpacking industry at the Chicago stockyards. This book is a must read if you question the need for oversight and regulation and the importance of social programs.

However, my favorite book and the one that I suggest to all if they want to understand our fair city: City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America. This saga describes Chicago best as a City of extremes. Chicago can be violent and corrupt and yet innovative and creative. Let us hope that our best years are ahead. With all the attention we are getting from having the President from Chicago, maybe we can be the City of the 21st Century.

Please list your educational background

I have a B.S. from St. Joseph College from Rensselaer, Indiana; Majoring in History and Philosophy

Please list civic, professional, fraternal or other organizations to which you belong

I have been President of the largest Community Organization in the 47th Ward for the past ten years. The Ravenswood Community Council (RCC) is a 50 year old non-for-profit that includes the entire 47th Ward. Recently, I served as President of the Welles Park Advisory Council and helped raise in excess of $100,000. for a new play lot. Also, I have been President of the Lakeview Kiwanis and have worked to improve our local schools.

Have you held elective or appointive political office or been employed by any branch of government?

Rich Township School Treasurer, 1988-90

Please list jobs or contracts you, members of your immediate family or business partners have had with government

None.

Name your five biggest campaign contributors and the amount they contributed

I am forming my committee now. I expect small donations from friends and supporters.

Please paste a brief biography here

I am a born Chicagoan, living in the Ravenswood community for 25 years. I am married to Elly (nee Belluomini) O'Donnell and I have two children, Lilly and Megan, both of whom have attended public schools here and have gone on to college. I am a Special Assistant to Sheriff Tom Dart of Cook County. From 1993 to 2007, I was an Assistant Commissioner for the City of Chicago, working for the Departments of Streets and Sanitation, General Services and Aviation.