3rd District Council Agenda

Kenya Franklin – Chair

A political strategist and mother of three, Franklin has lived in the third district her entire life. She says she wants to improve transparency between CPD and residents. She supports a two-strike rule for officers who garner racial and violent complaints, and wants to end qualified immunity, the legal principle that protects police officers from being personally sued for civil rights violations. Alderperson David Moore (17th Ward) has endorsed.

• Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.

• CPD reform: The police need significant reform.

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

Helping the police do a better job

Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I would like to see civilians’ expectation of law enforcement to meet the actual job description in the middle. I think there is a disconnect between what the public expects and what is actually provided. Transparency is paramount to trust in the community.

Anthony D. Bryant – Nominating Committee

Bryant has worked as a government affairs associate for Metropolitan Family Services, as a legislative administrator for State Representative Lamont J. Robinson, and as a community outreach and engagement associate for The TRiiBE.

Alderperson Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward), Desmon Yancy (5th Ward candidate), Jocilyn Floyd (7th Ward candidate), Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL), and Center For Racial & Gender Equity (CRGE) have endorsed

• Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.

• CPD reform: The police need significant reform.

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

Establishing civilian control of the police department

Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Helping the police do a better job

“The primary role of a Police District Councilperson is to create a platform not only for the community to speak, but provide an innovative think tank for the community to turn their concerns into policies.

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I’m running for the Police District Council to include residents of the Woodlawn community at the decision-making tables to amplify our collective voices. My life’s work has been rooted in putting the community first, not political relationships, private interests, or financial gains. I’m running to make sure community centers, businesses, institutions, political organizations, and government officials work together to develop strategies to provide spaces and places for implementing restorative justice practices and getting the residents’ perspectives on police accountability.

Unfortunately, in our society, we have thought of public safety as a law enforcement problem. This strategy has not only limited what governments can provide our communities but it is the wrong formula for a much bigger interconnected and systemic policy issue. Our communities need public officials and policymakers to address societal issues like affordable housing, rent control, adequate healthcare, quality food services, culturally enhanced education, and entrepreneurial ownership opportunities. As a future public official, I plan to advocate and provide programs and services that address these issues while working to decrease the need for policing and mass incarceration.

Janice Jones – Community Engagement

Jones is facilitator for CPD beat 334 and graduated from the Chicago Police Department’s Citizen Academy. She says, “No single approach is right for every community.” Jones says she has worked and interacted with city and state agencies to connect youth and families to services they need and were not able to access themselves.

Alderperson Gregory Mitchell (Seventh Ward) has 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 police on behalf of the community

Helping the police do a better job

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I am running because I believe it is a great way to better serve my community, and the more I delved into the functions, I saw an opportunity to change a system historically rooted in racism to one filled with greater public safety, accountability and equity for all. What I like most about the ordinance is that it will give Black communities and other minorities a voice in a system that serves and protect them. Lastly I believe accountability is key to building trusting relationships, with mutual respect and open lines of communication between the police and the community. It is trusting relationships that will help us to achieve greater public safety. The bottom line is: We need each other to increase public safety and reduce the violence and crime occurring across the city.

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#TogetherWeCan.