Carolyn Murray: Candidate For 5th Ward Alderman

EVANSTON, IL — Ahead of Evanston's upcoming municipal elections, Evanston Patch provided candidate questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot. Candidate responses are published verbatim in the order they are received.

The April 6 ballot will contain competitive races in eight wards, as well as two candidates for city clerk, according to the Cook County Clerk's Office.

Incumbent aldermen are seeking to hold on to seats in four wards after two sitting City Council members failed to make the runoff after coming in third place in last month's primary. One incumbent is running unopposed.

Carolyn Murray

Age (as of Election Day)
51

Town/City of Residence
Evanston, IL

Office Sought
5th Ward Alderman

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education
University of Illinois

Occupation
Military Retired

Campaign website
Murrayfor5.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Community Activist

The single most pressing issue facing the Evanston's city government is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

What do you consider the official duties and powers of the City Council as a whole? How about individual aldermen?

First and foremost, I represent the 5th ward, while also looking objectively at the City as a whole and managing citywide issues. I feel responsible primarily for representing the needs of my ward, in regular local government meetings and internal ward community meetings. Additionally, my duty is to be accessible for 5th ward residents to communicate their ideas and grievances, including prompt, reliable response times for my residents for any council inquiry or city matter. A councilperson must commit to doing a tireless job for the community, and I'm committed to spending the time that it takes to get the job done.

What steps would you take to address the city's budget challenges?

1) Restore the city position that previously existed to find more opportunities/grants on the federal and state levels.

2) Look at operational cost when it comes to NU and other corporations that have violations under compliance with building codes.

3) Take a deep look at recycling within our City offices and departments.

4) Do a deep audit of our City operational costs, and then review to see if there’s anything we can do different or better.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

SAFETY-- I have been working for decades on addressing safety concerns in the 5th Ward, including annual gun buyback events since 2012 which have pulled a total of 300 guns off the streets. We should not average one homicide per year.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT-- Our businesses need the same level of support and resources that the downtown and Central Street districts receive. I will meet monthly with 5th Ward business leaders, and push to obtain more federal and state assistance for business in our ward.

5TH WARD SCHOOL-- My children and I were all bussed to schools outside our own neighborhood. I support the building of a STEM school that prepares our kids for jobs in the emerging science and technology sectors. We should look to partner with NU on this.

BETTER POLICING-- I’ve worked with the past three police chiefs to lead initiatives and to improve community relations with our police force. There needs to be accountability for officers who violate their oaths and fall short of our community standards.

EQUITY-- 5th Ward residents deserve every resource required to make their standard of living and quality of life equal to other Evanston ward residents. Black residency in Evanston is down 25% since 2000. This downward trend will continue if needs are not met.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a Navy Veteran, I’m familiar with government procedure, and accustomed to working with accountability and transparency.

I advocated in the halls of Congress for a national gun safety bill, with U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.

Being born and raised in Evanston, I know and remember historical issues still pending currently.

I’m a taxpaying homeowner for over 20 years.

I’ve worked with the past three police chiefs and several other city officials on community events.

I was a founding member of the Evanston Youth Initiative, which led to the current Evanston Youth and Young Adult Department in the City of Evanston.

I’ve hosted the most successful annual Gun Buy Back in Evanston, pulling almost 300 guns off our streets since 2012.

I’ve resolved and taken action on over 50 problems a year from residents or organizations.

For 10 years, I hosted the monthly 5th Ward meetings under the former Alderman.

I coordinated over a dozen community events to find resolutions for residents’ concerns.

I am a well-known “go-to” liaison for the neighborhood to assist residents with getting answers from the City.

Why should voters trust you?

I want to be an alderperson, because I love my community and I have served people in this city for over 20 years. I truly believe that advocating is the only way to change your neighborhood. My activism and deep connection to the 5th ward started back during the monthly ward meetings, leading and listening to our residents’ concerns. This gave me valuable experience because I know the families that I live with, and I have provided resources to all without malice whenever needed. I’m a Navy Veteran with deep roots in Evanston’s 5th Ward. I’m also known as a responsive and reliable "go-to" presence, solving problems, raising awareness and providing direct assistance to residents in need for decades.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I would like to institute a strategic plan to combat gun violence in Evanston.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

We need to look at balancing our budget. Overall, the operational expenditures need to be made with strong fiscal responsibility. We also need to seek out more federal and state grant opportunities. And NU needs to at least pay their share on operational costs.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support Jacob Blake and his family; I grew up with his family here in Evanston. I attended the rally held at Jacob Blake Center, and I hope we start to deal with the excessive use of force by police. I support the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which holds police more liable.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I would recommend that the City fully invest in an independent organization to audit all procedures and operational functions, including staffing guidelines, to start an overhaul of existing inequities. We need to review disparities like employment, community policing, access to medical care, educational opportunities and affordable housing. I would like to see the City form a response team to support residents who experience racial attacks or hate incidents like what happen to me on the zoom call with DPOE.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I think we should follow the science guidelines as recommended, which still requires face masks and social distancing. I believe in setting safety restrictions for the health and welfare of all residents. Small businesses are most affected and we need to make sure they have resources available to them from state and federal agencies.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

I believe as a city we should urgently look for access to available vaccine and roll out mass spaces for a vast number of participants. We can do a mass vaccine event right in one of our 5th Ward churches.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

If I was offered a free house in Hawaii.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The late Mayor Lorraine Morton told me to make sure you get everything in writing when you speak with someone.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have watched Evanston’s government distance itself from its connection to the constituents it represents--especially citizens in the margins as they attempt to speak their truths to power. The Evanston of my youth functioned more like a village, and this is the Evanston I envision for the future. All of Evanston’s citizens deserve representation that is crystal clear and accountable. I will be that representative.