Andre Smith for Cook County Commissioner

Platform / Issues

Ethics

As your Commissioner, I will listen to you and not the politicians and lobbyists
• I will strengthen the Cook County Ethics Ordinance
• I will support Term Limit Legislation
• I will hold regular community meetings to engage you in your government

A leopard does not change its spots! Our county leadership has lost its way. It is unimaginative, stagnant, lacks creativity and competitiveness with surrounding counties. The citizens of Cook County deserve bold and decisive leaders who listen and then act. We don’t need dictators and political bosses we need a county that cares. With your help we will usher in a new era of leadership where you control your government.

Public Safety

As your Commissioner I will make your safety my top priority.

1. We need a county where people are safe…Gun violence is devastating our county. The costs of gun violence are enormous…human life, trauma and continued care… This County Board’s actions, and inaction has made the people of Cook County less safe. They voted to defund the police! The current Commissioner supported that. While young people and babies are shot in Cook County, they have failed to use county resources to address the root causes of violence. They continue to blame the police and ignore the deprivation and despair they have helped to create. I promise to bring new and creative ideas to make our county safer. These ideas include investments in you and mothers struggling to raise their children. A significant investment of county resources in communities with the highest levels of violence. I will collaborate with Mayors, the Governor, the sheriff, the state’s attorney, police chiefs and community leaders to collaborate on resource allocation. Our county must be a safe place to be competitive and desirable.

My Plan:
1. Investment in parenting
2. Investment in highest crime communities
3. Investment in economic development
4. Investment in mental health services
5. Collaboration with City, State and Federal Government

Taxes

We need a fair Tax System

• As your Commissioner I will lower the County Gas Tax
• I will lower the sales tax
• I will fix the unfair property tax system

Unfair property taxes have crippled too many of our citizens and communities. My opponent has not done enough to drive equity. Under former Assessor Joe Berrios he stood by him while he put policies in place to make property taxes for Brown and Black communities unfair. In fact, they protected Joe Berrios. And my opponent has not done enough to persuade Springfield legislators to make our property tax system fairer. As Commissioner I will fight to give more time to home owners so that their taxes won’t be sold so quick, I will be beholden to you the people—not special interests that want to perpetuate an unfair property tax system. I am proud to be and independent and progressive democrat.

Public Health

I will make your health my priority.

• Health Care—-Our healthcare system has the potential to be great. My opponent is the chair of Public Health, and he allowed our nurses to go on strike at the height of COVID 19. When they as first responders have risked their life to save other lives.
• We have not done enough to make sure that everyone who needs mental health treatment can access it.
• We need a plan to reduce obesity, and other persistent healthcare disparities that drive up healthcare costs and cause our citizens to die earlier.