Resilience, CAASE, Life Span and the National Shriver Center wanted to know mayoral candidates plans to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in Chicago. Find the responses of Amara Enyia, Jerry Joyce, Lori Lightfoot, Susana Mendoza, and Toni Preckwinkle below.  We encourage you to share these responses in your own communities.

The Office of the Mayor has many responsibilities that impact those who have experienced gender-based violence. From overseeing the Chicago Police Department’s response to ensuring children and youth are safe in our public schools, the Mayor’s Office is uniquely positioned to demonstrate the City of Chicago takes this issue seriously. Sexual and domestic violence affects people from all walks of life – particularly women and girls, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. The intersections of survivors identities and life experiences creates a matrix of needs to address and remain safe from sexual violence. In addition to overseeing the city’s institutional response, the Office of Mayor must also assure access to safe housing, specialized support services, economic stability and protections for immigrant survivors are also available to positively impact the lives of those we serve.

We are disappointed that just one of the ten male candidates chose to respond by the January 22 deadline, and hope Chicagoans continue pressing to learn what all candidates will do to end gender-based violence in Chicago.

Resilience hopes these responses – or lack thereof – help to inform your vote for the Feb. 26th election.

Responded by 1/22:
Amara EnyiaJerry Joyce, Jr., Lori Lightfoot, Susana Mendoza, Toni Preckwinkle

Didn’t Respond by 1/22:
Bill Daley, Bob Fioretti,  John Kozlar,  Garry McCarthy Neal Sales-Griffith,  Paul Vallas

Any delayed replies will be posted when possible.

UPDATE Responded after 1/22: Gerry ChicoWillie WilsonLaShawn Ford

Announcements, CAASE, Gender-Based Violence, Life Span, Mayoral candidates, National Shriver Center, Questionnaire, Resilience