Interview with Ald. James Gardiner
Technology Can Help with Public Safety Issues
During his Zooming with the Alderman interview with League member Esta Kallen, Alderperson James Gardiner of the 45th Ward said that public safety is the number-one issue in his northwest side ward, just as it has been identified by so many of the other alders we’ve interviewed. Ald. Gardiner said that with the number of currently unfilled positions in the police force, alders need to look outside the box to try to find immediate help with the issue.
Ald. Gardiner identified technology as one source of help: cameras in particular. With assistance from Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, Ald. Gardiner was able to secure $125,000 to install six cameras with “LPR” (license plate readers) at key locations in the ward. He sees these cameras as both a deterrent to crime and an aid to solving crimes. He gave the example of a murder that occurred at Central and Lawrence Avenues that was solved because police were able to view a recording made by an LPR camera at the time.
Watch the full interview above or read on for more highlights:
On efficiency in city government: Ald. Gardiner said he would support changing City Council rules so that any “direct introduction” items from the mayor or city departments would have to be submitted to the City Clerk’s office for posting at least two days prior to a committee meeting where such items could be voted on.
On ranked choice voting: Ald. Gardiner is open to ranked choice voting and having a single election, rather than the current process of having an election in February, followed by a run-off between the top two vote-getters if no one initially receives 50% plus one vote. He explained that a run-off can be very costly and unfairly discourages the average person from running in the first place.
Ald. Gardiner is happy that in his job he can have an impact on the community of the 45th Ward, where he was raised, even as he brings some added perspective because he has also lived in the Beverly, Hyde Park, and Pilsen neighborhoods before moving back to the 45th.