Interview with Ald. Anthony Napolitano
Infrastructure Needs and Flooding Are Key Issues for the NW Side 41st Ward
Ald. Anthony Napolitano of the 41st Ward told League interviewer Olaykina Adekoya that the key issues facing his ward are: (1) infrastructure, (2) flooding, (3) airplane noise, and (4) lack of police officers. He explained that the 41st Ward, on the far Northwest Side of Chicago, is among the largest wards, area-wise, and is home to O’Hare Airport. The ward money he gets—the same as every other alderman—can only cover about 16 to 18 blocks of the hundreds that are contained in his ward.
A particular concern in the 41st Ward is flooding. Even normal rains now cause flooding of streets and residential basements. Ald. Napolitano said that about five years ago he introduced an ordinance that created a program whereby homeowners could apply to have the city pick up a portion of the costs of flood control for their homes. While Ald. Napolitano envisioned that the program would be citywide, instead, he said the program is offered only to a few wards—generally those wards whose alders support the administration.
Consistent with what we have heard from other alders, Ald. Napolitano is concerned about the lack of police officers patrolling his ward. Ald. Napolitano believes one effective way to help deal with gun violence is to pass an ordinance he has filed that would assess up to $10,000 in fines on anyone who cannot show the necessary permits to lawfully own and/or carry a gun.
Watch the full interview above or read on for more highlights:
While Ald. Napolitano is one of several Vice Chairs of the Rules Committee, one of the things he would like to see changed in the operation of the City Council is the ability to send proposed items to the Rules Committee to “die.” He believes proposals should be sent to the applicable committee for its consideration and be voted on, up or down.
Ald. Napolitano, like so many other alders interviewed, says he would support requiring “direct introduction” items submitted by the mayor and city departments for consideration by a committee be first posted for the public to see. He has submitted an ordinance and credits LWV Chicago with its inspiration.