ROMAN MORROW QUESTIONNAIRE

1. I am running for alderman because as a resident living in the

community, I share the same concerns as block clubs, senior
citizens, felons, teens & children who live in the 29th ward. The
trials and tribulation are astounding in our community with
drugs, gangs, STD's, jobs and education, there is a strong need
to fix these problems now, verses later. We as a COMMUNITY
need to work in a collaborative effort to curb some of our social
ills.

2. I am qualified to run for alderman because I am willing to put our

COMMUNITY FIRST in school social programs, crime and
innovative thinking into public office. My commitment in putting
the COMMUNITY FIRST is implementing programs such as “Get
Out of School Jam,” a program that I founded in 2003 in the
Lawndale Community. I've worked with CAPS in the Austin
community in spearheading alleys, parks and storefront clean-
ups. I collaborated, as head coordinator, with Mandell United
Methodist Church and other local organizations in the Austin
community to organized Hip-Hop Stop the Violence Block Party.
Largely due to success of this event, not only did it bring
awareness, residents reported a decrease in crime shortly after.
I've worked collaboratively with community leader Paul Davis
and the esteemed Reverend Paul Jakes to enforce parental
advisory regarding radio stations on-air content concerning
stricter control over what our citizens (both young and old) are
exposed to. Also, I've played an intricate part in fulfilling a need
to access quality health screening, as a result orchestrated the
campaign to bring Walgreen's Wellness Bus to our community.
Community involvement means everything to me and it should
be as alderman.

3. I have no relationship with the former alderman Ike Carothers.

4. The 29th Ward assets are its residents who are determined, loyal
 and devoted to making their community a better place to live.
Due to proper leadership and limited resources some of the
community weakness are drugs, violence, education, lack of jobs
and high STD rates.

5. Under my leadership I envision the 29th Ward affording

opportunities to residents. More specifically better employment
opportunities, improving the Austin education system to decrease the
number of high school dropouts and to provide more proficient sexual
education and prevention awareness campaigns.

6. My top three priorities as alderman would be:

Open a grocery store in the 29th Ward with all of the
amenities such as a bakery, produce, deli, fresh meats, etc. We
are known as a food desert; there are studies that have shown that the
Austin community is desperately in need of one. Residents should not
have to commute to other wards to get the basic grocery needs.

To open a state – of – the – art youth center with

recreational programs. I will seek out funding through various
revenue streams such as grants,city and state funding, hire a
grants liaison who will be pegged with seeking out grant
opportunities for non-profits in the 29th Ward.

Create commercial development incentives for small

businesses in the community. For example, seek out
utilities credit for small business owners in the Austin
community. I will meet with county and local officials to
evaluate the opportunity for incentives.

7. I am in favor of a new state – of -art high school in Austin. Right

now, the logical place I see is the Brach's Candy site, however we
need to be open to explore new sites as well, that can
accommodate the needs of our children just in case Brach's doesn't
work. We cannot hold our children's education hostage while debating
on a site, however we as a community need to consider the following
such as overcrowding, after school programs, apprentice training,
safety concerns, high dropout rate, mentoring programs and etc... We
need to come together to make the right decision for our children's
education.
8. Lobby for funding for better community protection and ask for
state and county help. Three years ago, former Governor Blago held a
press conference regarding crime in Chicago and said police are
out manned. He offered the State Troopers and Cook County Sheriff
Police to help patrol the hot zone areas in Chicago. The Mayor said
"NO," I thought it was a good idea then, and still think it is a good idea
now to have Cook County Sheriff Police patrol and make arrest in hot
zone areas where the Chicago Police Department are out numbered.
Chicago and the Suburbs are cutting police man power due to
budgetary concerns. I think it's a big mistake and now we as
taxpayers are paying for it. You have longer waits for police to respond
to 911 calls in high crime areas and shootings are up 15% in
Chicago. I think you can reduce the crime when you expand the role of
State Troopers and Cook County Sheriff. While Chicago Police are busy
with a shooting, the County or State can handle other emergencies in
the area. Criminals know the police department are out manned, and
the city is only training 300 to 400 officer a year. UIC has expanded it's
role on the southside in patroling areas. We need to examine and think
outside the box - just go with the State Troopers and Cook County
Sheriff Police cause crime does not take a holiday.

9. Again, thinking outside the box such as: knocking down Brach's
Candy site that would employ hundreds of men and women in
our community, even though it's not in the 29th; reintroducing
70/30 bill that was adopted by former Alderman Dorothy Tillman,
this bill means if there is a construction project, 70% of the jobs
goes to the community and 30% outside the community. That
will give the Austin community as well as other communities
their fair share of jobs. Also, add spring & summer festivals to
our ward. We need to make some strong incentives for small
businesses not just the big one's. The wages are not cutting it
period. Yes, we need the job's, however we need a decent wage
so people can support their families and bring businesses that's
willing to compromise with the community.

10. Develop a relationship with Cook County Sheriff Office and

The Safer Foundation community service program to help us with
cleaning parkways, vacant lots and alley's. Also, they can help us
with furlough days as well. This can save the city a lot of money,
time, and keep the man power as well to get the job done, so we
can rebuild as a city.
11. Yes, I do feel the 29th ward is getting its fair share of TIF
Projects.

12. I will keep residents in the 29th ward informed about

what's happening via website, facebook, twitter, text,1-800-
29th – ward # & mailings.

13. Please check online regarding my D1's & D2's