Alderman, 20th Ward: Willie B. Cochran

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Willie B. Cochran

Updated: January 20, 2011 4:28PM

Birth date: 10-02-1952

Political affiliation: Democrat

Neighborhood: Woodlawn

Occupation/Firm name: Alderman 20th ward

Marital status: Married

Campaign HQ address: 6548 S. Cottage Grove

Campaign website: www.williebcochran.com

What is your campaign budget?

$200K

What are your top priorities for the City of Chicago?

Economics, Employment, Safety, Education,

What are your top priorities for your ward?

Economic Development, Education, Safety, Housing, Supportive Services, Health

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 have supported this approach because it has been the best option in the current economic times. What should be done going forward? Better management of our current assets, Increase Revenue through a combination of fees and taxes, Reduce services, consolidate where we can and change future benefits and salaries. I have promoted taxing magazines to generate revenue. Manage Airport space more efficiently. Union concessions should be acheived through negotations that are yet to be determined.

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?

Identifying a responsible timeline and payment structure to ensure solvency. Change Pension pay outs and age in some professions. Using taxes from the sales tax on magazines to contribute to pension funds.

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?

No 50 are not needed. How many? I would not venture to make that decision without appropriate feasibility study. Reduce Landscaping budget. Promote economic development in areas that lack the needed retail resources. Work in collaboration with the private sector to improve the delivery of goods and services. Collaborate with other government entities when making purchases.

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?

Legislate new protocals for decision affecting contracts making and appointments, require more review authority.

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 would support TIF dollars diverted from education be spent on education in the taxing district. Regional TIF advisory groups. I would take that under advisement after receiving thorough review and discussions.

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?

I have co-sponsored legislation that has set automatic triggers for City Council Review and Advisement. I support that process currently in place. I also advocate for the review of that current legislation on a regular bases to ensure it is relevent to the times.

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?

I would support a new hiring and testing and qualification process. I would support current and new processes of training. I do support realigning beats and personnel. CAPS is another area that needs to be reviewed and decisions made based on findings.

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?

The CEO should have an educational background. Each failing school should be taken on a case by case bases. "Culture of Calm" and those individuals targeted must be a priority. Addressing those individuals identified as high risk is very important to all of our safety. Those left behind should be accessed. Support children where they are to improve in those areas they need support. Ensure wrap around services for the child and family with limits and standards of performance and attendance.

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

Yes. Michael Reese Site

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?

No

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 am currently alderman. I do not have an outside job currently. I do pledge not to be involved in conflicts of interest.

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

I have not accepted contributions from employees. I will not pledge not to hire relatives.

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?

The City needs to change the way it hands out contracts. Alderman shout reclaim oversight of City contracts. Contracts above $50K.

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 support the current system

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?

No I see no need to change limits. I support the current limit.

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

Books written about Chicago cover topics like Crime, Design and short stories. I could not choose one over the other.

Please list your educational background

BA Eastern Illinois Sociology/Management

MA Illinois Institute of Technology, Public Administratio.

School of Staff and Command, Northwestern University, Evansto.

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

Board of Directors, Local Initiative Support Corporation New Communities Program Englewood-Washington Park-Woodlawn. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The Woodlawn Organization

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

I am the current Alderman of the 20th ward. I worked for the Chicago Police Department for 25.5 years.

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

Willie B. Cochran $40K, Comcast $3K, Sheila Cochran $10K, Terrapin Investments 1000K, Chicago land title and LLC, $1000, Partners in Health $15K, Gilead Management $1500

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