By Madhu Mayer
The April 4th Consolidated election is nearing the final weeks and candidates are making their case. The Times Weekly is sitting down with candidates to learn why they should be the next leaders elected to the Joliet City Council.
For the first time in eight years, a new person will represent District 4 residents on the Joliet City Council.
The Four candidates are seeking a 4-year term to replace Bettye Gavin on April 4 are Rosa Hernandez, Christopher Parker, Cesar Cardenas, and William J. Ferguson.
Gavin, who is retiring after serving District 4 for two terms, has publicly endorsed Parker for her seat.
In a conversation with Parker on why he’s running and what he’d improve in dist. 4, he said, If elected, he wants to enhance public safety, improve economic development, and provide faith-based leadership.
“I want to make sure the future of the city and District 4 has the right kind of leader to push for equity,” said Parker, whose 85 – and 91-year-old grandmothers still live in Joliet.
As part-owner of a cleaning company, Parker said he understands the challenges as his father and mother also were small business owners.
“District 4 deserves its equitable share and I want to rally the district together,” Parker said. “ I want to see District 4 redevelop the former Silver Cross Hospital site. I also want to see the City Council tackle zoning rules and zoning laws in place now that hinder progress for the near west side.”
Parker serves on the board of directors for Joliet’s African American Business Association. His wife, Tecara Parker, is in her first full school year as principal of Joliet West High School.
Like Parker, Suzanna Ibarra said it’s time to see a change on the Joliet City Council. She is vying for the District 5 council seat along with 2 other candidates Jim Lanham, Michael Williams Carruthers to unseat incumbent Terry Morris a local businessman.
“I have lived in District 5 for five years now and I have seen little or no improvement,” said Ibarra, who is chair of Will County Progressives and is trustee on the Joliet Township. She said when she ran for township trustee two years ago, she was the only woman and garnered the top votes.
She claims there is no economic development in District 5, according to Ibarra the district has recently experienced increase in crime and truck traffic.
“It is a dumping ground for the warehousing and truck industry,” she said. “There are no grocery stores in District 5 either. The St. Pat’s neighborhood has a lot of crime and truck traffic. District 5 has gone unrepresented for a long time, and I do not see any answers or solutions to our problems.”
“District 5 is by far the most underrepresented district in all of Joliet,” Ibarra added.
If elected, Ibarra said she will listen to the concerns of residents.
“My plan is to put a graduated water rate for businesses, so they pay the same rate as residents,” she said. “I also want to see more neighborhood-oriented policing and more family-friendly businesses in the east side of the district.
“I want to bring a grocery store as those who live in the district live in a food desert.”
