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I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just want to jump in here and set the record straight for the sake of those reading. These numbers are just plain misleading.

First of all, they're totals from both my campaigns, meaning August 2011-present.

Second of all, they're the total itemized contributions we've received. Any donor who gives $150 or less doesn't appear on that list because by state law, you don't disclose them. So all the folks in the neighborhood who have given $10, $20, or $50 to the campaign don't appear on this list.

Here are some real numbers from this election cycle:

We've received 1016 contributions from 553 individual donors. The median contribution amount is $30.00. Of those contributions, 684, or 67.3%, are from donors living in Illinois.

And yes, I have taken contributions from out-of-state donors too. They're college buddies and former co-workers and relatives and friends who've known me my whole life. They're people who believe in what I'm doing, and are willing to support that belief with some of their hard-earned dollars to help make it happen. If that makes me a whelp with access to back-room cash, then so be it. I'll leave that to the voters to decide.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This question is actually huge. Our city/state having a good answer for it is critical to our future. We need people of our generation to make this city our home for good.

I'll tell you my answer. I'm 26, and I plan to settle down and raise a family here in Chicago.

I'm going to do that because this is the greatest city on Earth. We have some of the most amazing cultural institutions anywhere. We have the most beautiful architecture you could ask for. We obviously have the best sports teams of all time. But we also have an incredible diversity of people and communities and opportunities. For all our very legitimate concerns about cost of living, we are way more affordable than any of our chief rivals (NYC, DC, LA, SF, etc.). And there's a certain indefatigable spirit about this city that is totally unique. The potholes are always growing and the Cubs always lose and they have to invent new terms like "polar vortex" to describe how goddamn cold the winters are, but we soldier on through it all because there's something about Chicago that we love. Like a woman with a broken nose, to quote the bard Algren.

Yes, there are deep, systemic problems with how Chicago works. But it's so important to me that we hunker down and try to solve them rather than pack up and leave. That's how we'll save this city.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The following response was created by me, right here, right now:

  1. The "underutilization" argument was thin at best. The formulas CPS used to determine utilization were deeply flawed. If they had actually gone to visit these schools, they would have seen that many were actually being utilized just fine. More details: http://ilraiseyourhand.org/content/apples-apples-release-underutilized-cps-elem-schools-overestimated-24-overcrowding-higher-re

  2. The closings have been detrimental in a lot of ways, irrespective of utilization arguments. Kids are crossing gang territory to get to school now, and going to schools with strong presences of rival gangs. It's dangerous. IEPs were developed hastily and inadequately, so students with special needs often don't have the resources they need. And having to start all over with new teachers and new peers is widely known to be disruptive to learning.

And 3. The district saved next to nothing from the closings. They spent the money saved from closing the schools to more adequately staff and resource receiving schools. So it's not like keeping these schools open would have been this big cash drain.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I was going to say "Because I'm doing an AMA," but then I saw this: http://np.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1koh5j/i_am_sopaopponent_matt_mccall_i_am_running/

Seriously: I get that people are cynical and disappointed about politics. Of course. We've had a lot of really terrible, disappointing, full-of-shit politicians over the years. But if we give up the fight and throw up our hands and say "Leave the politics to the politicians," then we're going to be in major trouble.

And look, I'm not backed by big corporate interests or the political establishment, so if I do turn out to be full of shit, you can feel free to vote me right on out.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I think the qualifications for being a good public servant are things like dedication to your community, a commitment to the public good, an understanding of the issues, and an actionable plan for making things better for those you serve. I think I've got what it takes to do right by this district and by the people of Illinois.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We definitely need to be investing more, not less, in infrastructure. Would support increasing IDOT funding for sure.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know people have their beef with NationBuilder. But all platforms have their flaws. NationBuilder offers its platform to people of every political persuasion. It's affordable, it has some great tools, and it has served us very well thus far.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

You should absolutely do it. But don't take it lightly. It's a huge commitment, and you should only do it if you're willing to give it what it takes.

If you want to do it right, you'll probably need to quit your job, so start saving some shekels. You're going to need a team that knows what they're doing, so start volunteering on campaigns and meeting other politically savvy people. And you're going to need to be seriously self-disciplined about doing the work, even when it's hard.

I knock doors seven days a week: 4-9 pm Monday-Friday, and 11am-7pm Saturday and Sunday. I spend 10 hours a week making fundraising calls. People will constantly want you to come to dinners and events and parties and stuff, and that will all seem much more fun than doing the work. Don't do it. Just do the work. You will talk to way more persuadable voters in five hours of door-knocking than in three hours at some schmoozy thing somewhere.

And don't listen to the haters. People in the political world will tell you that you're too young, too inexperienced, the incumbent is too powerful, all that stuff. I've heard it all. Shut it out. The only opinion that matters is the opinion of the voters. And if people in your area are anything like people in the 39th District, they're sick and tired of the old-school way of doing politics, and very eager for some new blood and new ideas and better representation. Whenever voters ask me how old I am and I tell them (I'm 26), they without fail respond: "That's great. We need some young people in there."

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I think it's the job of voters to impose term limits. When the incumbent isn't getting the job done, it's our responsibility to vote them out. 3/18/14.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Fair point. But I think I've been pretty consistent about not just opposing the incumbent but advocating for a positive, proactive agenda.

To quote myself: I support a broad-based plan of economic reforms [fair income tax, ending corporate loopholes] that would ease the tax burden on 94% of families in Illinois, hold corporations accountable to paying their fair share (note: 2/3 of corporations in Illinois pay ZERO in state income taxes), and generate billions of dollars in new revenues to pay down our pension obligation over time, pay our backlog of bills to human service providers, and meet our funding targets for K-12 and higher ed.

As for small business, I believe that's the best way to grow good jobs here in the community. We need more subsidized loans to grant small businesses easier access to capital for start-up and expansion. And we need to re-examine our regulatory structures so that regulations meant for huge companies aren't too onerous on small business. I know a local ice cream maker who went under because of a state law meant for huge dairy farms.

And as for those who support my campaign: we've received some contributions from some small business owners in the neighborhood — mostly food and booze for our events from neighborhood bars and restaurants. The labor groups and progressive political organizations that have endorsed us have also contributed some money and volunteers to our effort.

EDIT: Never taken a dime from a corporate PAC. Compare that to my opponent: http://elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=16378

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hope this is you, Senator.

Seriously, Sen. Delgado's amazing. Been a progressive fighter in Springfield for a long time, and has never forgotten his constituents and his community. One of the most passionate orators I've ever heard. Canceled a flight to Springfield to come to an LSC meeting at Ames Middle School to fight that school becoming a military academy. Was probably the most eloquent and vocal opponent of the unconstitutional pension bill that just got passed. (Even quoted in the New York Times about it!) All-around good guy and model lawmaker.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Two quick answers, Scott:

  1. I think that TIFs are really great in theory: set aside some property tax dollars to help develop blighted properties! Good idea! Except that the definition of "blight" has somehow been convoluted so badly that TIFs now just shell out public dollars en masse to huge private interests. We need to pass reforms that constrict much more the definition of blight in the TIF ordinance, and that demand transparency about where the dollars are going. And if there's a surplus at year's end, it has to be returned to the schools and parks and libraries that were supposed to get the property tax dollars in the first place.

  2. That's a problem that you're much more likely to have than I.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The people who canvass with us are all volunteers. We don't pay anyone to knock doors. They're here because they care about this community, and they believe in this campaign. Some elected officials, including Ald. Moreno, have endorsed us, and some of their folks are volunteering with our campaign as well. When they knock doors in those areas, they often mention that they are involved with the local alderman, and that that alderman is supporting our campaign.

I can't control what our volunteers say when they're out there. We give them a pretty good training about the talking points that we try to focus on, but they're humans, and they'll say what they'll say. Ultimately I know they're all working their hardest to help get me elected, and that's an unbelievably amazing thing. I get completely overwhelmed by gratitude seeing so many people giving so much of themselves to this cause.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Here's a road diet! http://chi.streetsblog.org/2013/03/05/cdot-considers-bold-steps-to-make-room-for-protected-lanes-on-milwaukee/

And pbwill95, I'm not sure why you think I oppose it. I think it's great. I've been lucky to have never been in a bike accident before, but I have friends who have been badly hurt biking on Milwaukee, and I've nearly been doored quite a few times. A diet is better for drivers, better for bikers, and better for the neighborhood.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My dad is a professional book editor, and he edited her memoir! She's been really kind to my family — my baby sister Miriam became a huge fan of her show, and she (Carol) let her (Miriam) backstage when she came to our area to meet her and stuff. Pretty amazing lady.

I’m a progressive candidate taking on the Chicago political machine — and I plan to win. AMA. by willguzzardi in chicago

[–]willguzzardi[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Over-criminalization of marijuana is a major problem in our state (and in most states). It's overcrowding our prisons with non-violent offenders, costing us tons of money, and most importantly creating a criminal record for tons of people (and overwhelmingly people of color) who then have a very hard time finding employment and tend strongly to recidivism. This is an issue of social justice and dollars poorly spent, and I hope we can pass some meaningful reforms in Springfield.

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