Carlos Aviña Soto: 2025 candidate for West Chicago City Council Ward 6

Bio

Office Sought: West Chicago City Council Ward 6

City: West Chicago

Age: 27

Occupation: Teacher assistant

Previous offices held: N/A

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

An issue is occurring within the community is the low percentage of people who actually vote in local elections. It creates a problem, the voice of a few does not represent the needs of all the citizens. Creating a difference between what represents and what is believed to represent the people.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

There are a couple of instances where the city budget was not as clear and it does not specify how was the money. If possible, I would like to make this more transparent and disclose more the details.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

Reviving the downtown. It should be paid by opening to small investors as well as small entrepreneurs. The city would help with loans and grants that would favor the income for the city by adding other businesses, more jobs and more customers.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

Using facts and statistics should help us get closer to our goals. Representing values is also important, as it is necessary to be able to hear other perspectives without think one or other is wrong. Most of the time is just that, a different perspective.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

What makes a candidate the best? Is there is a recipe or requirement to be one? Please do not misunderstand me. I do try my best to learn about the position and about what should help once there. I am not pretending to be the only or the last option as there has always been options and choices.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I will advocate for green projects and restoration of parks and preserves. We are living critical times and we need to take care of the environment now.