Robert Bank
Robert Bank ran for election to the Chicago City Council to represent Ward 45 in Illinois. Bank lost in the general election on February 26, 2019.
Bank completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Bank responded to Ballotpedia's unique candidate survey for 2019 Chicago candidates. The survey questions were developed with input from more than 100 Chicagoans in the months preceding the 2019 election. Here is one selected response:
"I would make Chicago cleaner by offering a program where the homeless could get paid for picking up trash in the city such as they do in Fort Worth, Texas. I would also add more 'green roofs', and improve the recycling program."
Click here to read more of Bank's responses.
Elections
2019
See also: City elections in Chicago, Illinois (2019)
General election
General election for Chicago City Council Ward 45
Jim Gardiner defeated incumbent John Arena, Marilyn Morales, and Robert Bank in the general election for Chicago City Council Ward 45 on February 26, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jim Gardiner (Nonpartisan) | 50.9 | 7,570 | |
 | John Arena (Nonpartisan) | 36.2 | 5,382 | |
| Marilyn Morales (Nonpartisan) | 9.1 | 1,353 | ||
 | Robert Bank (Nonpartisan)  | 3.7 | 553 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 7 | ||
| Total votes: 14,865 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Chicago 2019 Candidate Survey
Robert Bank completed Ballotpedia's Chicago candidates survey for 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bank's responses.
Low-income families do not have the same choices, options, or alternatives when it comes to public school. How can this be addressed?
We need to boost local public schools. There is no reason that local schools cannot have the same curriculum as selective enrollment schools. A big part of the problem is that 1/3rd of all property taxes are diverted to Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts. These TIF funds are gifted to politically connected developers. We need to end TIF districts in Chicago, and return that money to funding schools, parks, libraries etc.
How would you address inequality within and between schools?
School inequity between local and selective enrolment schools is a problem. It wasn't always like this. There is no reason we cannot put the same resources into local schools as we do selective enrollment schools.
What do you believe are the greatest needs of kids in school today? How would you prioritize these needs and address them?
High School children should be given the option of learning a trade, in a program with a trade union or a professional business association. Internet Technology (IT) classes, and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes should be available at all High Schools too.
What are your proposals for supporting children before and after school? What would be your ideal afterschool programs?
I would like to see a partnership with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, where children could play chess, sports or get help with their homework before or after school.
Do you believe that there is corruption in Chicago politics, such as pay-to-play practices when the city awards bids? If so, how would you address it?
Pay to play politics is rampant in Chicago, just look at any alderman's campaign contributions from developers that get zoning changes which diminish the quality of life for nearby residents. We have a zoning code and a zoning map, an alderman should not be allowed to change it at his or her whim. Aldermanic Prerogative needs to end.
How would you make the city’s policies more responsive to community input instead of donors or special interests?
End Aldermanic Prerogative . Council members need to insist on reviewing the City Budget weeks in advance of voting on it. Currently Aldermen don't get more than a day's notice.
How would you handle the “recurrence of unaddressed racially discriminatory conduct by officers” identified in the U.S. Justice Department’s investigative report of the Chicago PD published in 2017?
I don't believe there is racially unjust behavior by the Chicago Police, but there me be that perception in some communities. Partnership with local school councils, neighborhood associations will help. If the request for police action comes from the community, then the community has nothing to complain about.
What sort of proposals would help reduce police shootings and fatalities?
There really are very few police shootings. 530 people were murdered in Chicago, with the exception of one case, they are not being murdered by the Police.
What ideas do you have to reduce the availability of illegal or unregistered guns in Chicago?
Gun buy backs are a great way to get guns off the streets.
How will you help to rebuild trust in the police department and to encourage the community to work with police?
As mentioned earlier, the police need to build a relationship with community organizations.
How would you address criminal justice issues such as prison reform and the reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons into city life?
The CTA has an excellent program that gives former criminals a chance to prove they can come to a job everyday and be reliable. I would have more city agencies follow this path. Once former convicts have a solid work record to show, they can get back into the private sector workforce more easily.
How would you address the displacement of people of color and long-term residents from their neighborhoods?
It is not only the displacement of people of color, but throughout the city, people are forced to move due to escalating taxes based on increased property values in gentrifying neighborhoods. I would propose freezing taxes for longtime homeowners similar to Venice, California.
How would you care for the most vulnerable Chicagoans?
Currently we are spending less than 1% of our budget on the homeless. I would work with organizations that are already helping, such as Helping Hands of Chicago. Many of the homeless need drug addiction treatment, maybe we could use court sanctioned mandatory drug treatment.
How would you ensure that development benefits residents in their neighborhoods and not solely the developers and other interests?
I have been battling corrupt zoning changes in my ward for years. These developments often enrich the developer, the alderman's campaign fund at the detriments of the community.
How would you distribute revenue fairly between neighborhoods?
Every neighborhood should have a good school, park and library. Ending Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts would free up 1/3rd of all property taxes, approximately $422 million dollars!
How do you propose to resolve the city’s underfunded pension plan for city employees?
I am open to various ideas that have been floated. A casino is a possibility, but I would need proof that it would be profitable enough to help solve the problem; this is not a certainty. A commuter tax on suburbanites and out of state workers that work in Chicago but live elsewhere is a possibility too.
What’s your opinion on tax increment financing (a program that funds development using any additional property tax revenue that results from an increase in appraised property values)? What, if any, changes would you make to the use of TIF?
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts have been a disaster for the schools, parks libraries etc, as it steals money from those taxing bodies, and gives the money, or I should say GIFTS the money to politically connected developers. TIFs need to be ended. Over 140 TIF districts cover approximately 1/3rd of geographic Chicago. These TIF Districts siphon off 1/3rd of our property tax dollars, to be used as gift money to politically connected dollars. There are other ways to encourage development other that TIFs, such as tax abatement for specific projects.
How would you assess the city's finances, and if your proposals would require new spending, how would you pay for them?
The City has taxed businesses out of business. We need to lower sales taxes and commercial property tax rate. I believe this will spur new business and greater sales, enough to make up for the decrease in the tax rates.
Would you be in favor of freezing property taxes, at least for low-income households, so that people can stay where they are living?
I am for freezing property taxes for everyone in Chicago. It is becoming a reason for people to leave Chicago.
How will you address public health concerns such as contaminated drinking water, rat infestation, and lead poisoning?
The lead levels in our water pipes is directly related to the greedy Water Meter program. It turns out that cutting the lead pipes to install the meters has caused the coating that has cover the inside of the lead pipes for decades, has been disturbed and causing the lead to leach into to water. I would immediately end the Water Meter program. The rat problem has exploded. We need more rat abatement.
How would you make Chicago a cleaner city with less waste and pollution?
I would make Chicago cleaner by offering a program where the homeless could get paid for picking up trash in the city such as they do in Fort Worth, Texas. I would also add more "green roofs", and improve the recycling program.
What would be your first steps for improving the transit system in terms of affordability, accessibility, and safety?
We have a great transit system here in Chicago. I would work to improve accessibility, especially at the Irving Park Blue Line Station.
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See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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