18th District Council Agenda

Brad Kessler – Chair

An attorney, Kessler led Chicago Public Schools’s anti-gang task force and helped launch its Safe Passage program. He also serves on Lincoln Park High School’s local school council and on the advisory board for the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Kessler says, “The city does not provide CPD with the necessary number of officers, resources, partnerships, and training that is needed to effectively (and safely) police the city.”

State representative Margaret Croke (12th District), Alderpersons Walter Burnett Jr. (27th Ward), Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), former alderpersons Michelle Smith and Vi Daley, and 43rd Ward committeeman Lucy Moog have endorsed.

• Is CPD adequately funded? No: funding should be increased.

• CPD reform: The police need training and some reform.

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Helping the police do a better job

Other: A successful Police District Council member will need to effectively provide civilian oversight of the police department.

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I believe that all Chicagoans have the right to live in communities that prioritize the safety and well-being of their residents. I also believe that the current law-enforcement landscape in the city does not provide CPD with the necessary number of officers, resources, partnerships, and training that is needed to effectively (and safely) police the city.

Resolving the issues facing the 18th will take intimate knowledge of the way Chicago operates and a willingness to collaborate with city-wide organizations like the CTA, CPS, and the many local organizations and community associations that make the 18th such a special place to live.

My professional and personal experiences have been connected to the 18th for as long as I can remember. I was raised here, I co-lead my company here, and I could not imagine raising my two adorable children anywhere else. Growing up and working in a city with so many moving parts has given me the humility and insight needed to both plan and execute successful community safety initiatives in our District.

For those interested in supporting my vision for the 18th Police District, I more extensively describe my answer to this question on my website ( https://bradkesslerchicago.com/bradkessler/ ) in my letter to voters

Robert Johnson – Nominating Committee

A former Ohio police officer, Johnson is the chair of the safety and security task force for the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents. He graduated from CPD’s Citizen Police Academy and is the CAPS beat 1833 facilitator.

Alderpersons Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) and Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) have endorsed.

• Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should stay about the same.

• CPD reform: The police need training and some reform.

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Helping the police do a better job.

Why are you running for Police District Council?

This position would enable me to be a liaison for area residents with our local law enforcement.

Karen Kane – Community Engagement

ACPA, Kane says crime has increased significantly and CPD staffing decreased significantly in the 18th District. “The police department should listen to the community and the residents should listen to the police department,” she says. “Working together, our community will become safer.” Alderpersons Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), Michelle Smith (43rd Ward), Second Ward democratic committeeman Tim Egan, and 43rd Ward democratic committeeman Lucy Moog have endorsed.

• Is CPD adequately funded? No: funding should be increased.

• CPD reform: The police need training and some reform.

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Helping the police do a better job.

Other: The Police Department should listen to the community and the residents should listen to the Police Department. Working together, our community will become safer.

Why are you running for Police District Council?

In the 18th Police District, crime has increased significantly and 18th police staffing has decreased significantly. While the citywide violent crime statistics have improved slightly in 2022 (although still alarmingly higher than pre-COVID years), crime in the 18th District has increased.

I am born and raised in Chicago and I love our city!! I am a passionate advocate of Chicago as a world class city, while also agreeing we have significant problems to solve. My central campaign theme is “Public Engagement = Public Safety.” In other words, neighbors and residents need to become more deeply involved in crime prevention, sharing ideas, comparing results of new initiatives and brainstorming.

Additional public engagement and increased communication with the 18th CPD will create a stronger relationship between the residents and the 18th Police Department, and thus improved public safety. I believe my organizational skills from my professional career and involvement in nonprofits will create a successful emphasis on public safety in the community.

Disclaimer:

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#TogetherWeCan.