Interview with Ald. Jeanette B. Taylor

“I Believe in Public Power!”

Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor (20th Ward) said this in response to a question about redistricting, but it was clear from her answers to all the League’s questions that this belief is at the core of her political philosophy.

In the case of proposed developments within her ward, for example, the Alderwoman explained that she does not meet with developers, but has a team of volunteers from her ward do so. Then, when community meetings are held on any proposal, people who live within ½ mile of the development are asked to vote. If they approve, the Alderwoman will provide a letter of support. She believes that this community involvement will result in the people taking ownership of any development and supporting the businesses.

Alderwoman Taylor’s interview with League member Priscilla Mims premiered on June 24.

Watch the full interview above or read on for more highlights:

• Alderwoman Taylor was displaced when the Harold Washington Cultural Center was built in Bronzeville. A key reason for her running for the first time in 2019 was her desire to see that development occurs without displacement, whether physical or through gentrification. Her ward’s eastern boundary is across from Washington Park where the Obama Library is to be located.

• While she is on several Council Committees, including Education, Environmental, and Transportation, Alderwoman Taylor decried that they seldom meet.

• The Alderwoman fully supports having an independent commission do the redistricting, rather than the Council members. As she put it, “how can we put our constituents first if we are worried about keeping our jobs?”

• The key issues for her ward, located on the south side, include (1) people not recognizing the gems that are located there, including Kennedy King College and 20 senior buildings (where the residents take their bingo seriously), (2) the difficulty in keeping the ward clean, and (3) the 4,000 vacant lots located there.