Issues

Police Reform

As a candidate for Cook County Board President, I believe in law and order without authoritarianism. Everyone deserves to feel safe, but safety must never come at the expense of civil liberties, accountability, or justice.

I support police reform that restores trust, ensures transparency, and upholds the Constitution. A government big enough to surveil, harass, and intimidate its citizens in the name of public safety is too big. Real safety comes from fairness, professionalism, and community engagement, not unchecked power.

Respecting Rights While Ensuring Safety

I believe in limited, accountable policing that focuses on real threats, not petty enforcement or political agendas. That means:

  • Ending racial profiling and unconstitutional searches

  • Demilitarizing local police forces, no tanks in our neighborhoods

  • Respecting the Fourth Amendment: No surveillance without cause

  • Prioritizing violent crime prevention over revenue-driven enforcement

Transparency and Accountability, Not Blind Loyalty

Blindly “backing the blue” is not a policy, it’s an excuse to avoid reform. Police should be public servants, not untouchable enforcers. I will push for:

  • Independent civilian review boards with real power to investigate misconduct

  • Public access to body camera footage and use-of-force reports

  • Whistleblower protections for officers who speak out against corruption

  • Ending qualified immunity at the county level where possible

Focus on Community-Based Safety

Proper public safety doesn’t start with police; it starts with strong communities. I will advocate for:

  • Crisis response alternatives for mental health, addiction, and homelessness

  • Investment in prevention: youth programs, job training, and neighborhood support

  • De-escalation and cultural competency training for all county law enforcement

  • Community policing models are built on trust, not intimidation

No to Authoritarian Tactics. Yes to Real Justice.

I reject both extremes: the idea that we must “abolish the police,” and the idea that we must accept militarized, unaccountable policing as the price of safety. We need smart, constitutional, community-first reform that protects both lives and rights.

If we want safer streets, we must:

  • Rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people

  • Hold bad actors accountable, just like in any profession

  • Ensure that policing reflects the values of freedom, dignity, and equal protection under the law

Policing Should Serve the People, Not Control Them

I’m not running to defend the system, I’m running to fix it. The status quo in Cook County is broken. It’s time for new leadership that’s not afraid to stand up to unions, challenge outdated policies, and rebuild a justice system that actually delivers justice.

Public safety without government overreach. Justice without compromise. Reform without delay.