With many aldermen such as Joe Moore from the 49th Ward facing challenges (Brian White is his opponent) to their city council seats, Windy City Times sat down with him to hear his views on a variety of issues. Here is what he had to say.

Windy City Times: Do you have or would you install a written policy in your office regarding sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination?

Joe Moore: I do not have a policy regarding discrimination, but would consider instituting one. It’s never been an issue, as my track record over my 20 years as alderman has been one of inclusion and non-discrimination. Though I do not currently have an openly gay staff member working in my four-person office, I have a long and consistent policy of opposing all forms of discrimination.

WCT: Have you taken or would you take any steps to further HIV/AIDS treatment and education programs? If so, what are those measures?

Joe Moore: I have been a strong and consistent supporter in the Chicago City Council of increased funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and education programs and strongly advocate for funding for such programs whenever it becomes an issue in the city budget cycle. I was a strong and vocal proponent of Alderman [Helen] Shiller’s successful efforts to increase such funding years ago.

WCT: What are feelings regarding abortion? (i.e., are you pro-choice or pro-life?)

Joe Moore: I am pro-choice and am proud to be endorsed by Personal PAC.

WCT: Have you started or would you start sensitivity training for your staff members regarding LGBT-related issues?

Joe Moore: I would certainly consider implementing such training, but as I indicate in [the first question], the atmosphere of my office reflects my governing philosophy of openness and inclusiveness. To my knowledge, no one has ever accused me or anyone in my employ of insensitivity or outright discrimination. If that were ever to occur I would address and rectify it immediately.

WCT: What are your thoughts on a school that would be designed specifically for LGBT students?

Joe Moore: I am certainly open to the idea and understand the motivation underlying the formation of such a school. I am concerned such a school would perpetuate the social isolation of LGBT young people. In an ideal world, our schools would enforce strict policies against bullying and other harassment of LGBT young people, but I am enough of a realist to know we are not operating in an ideal world and that a school designed specifically for LGBT students may be necessary.

WCT: What have you done to promote LGBT causes during your time as alderman?

Joe Moore: In my 20 years on the city council, I have been a stalwart supporter of every single cause and issue championed by the LGBT community, from implementing domestic partnership benefits and extending those benefits to transgendered individuals to increased funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and education programs.

I have also actively lobbied my aldermanic colleagues who have sometimes waivered on support for those issues. For the last 21 years I have marched in the Pride Parade and in that time I have only missed one parade. I have been one of the most reliable and strongest advocates for equality even before it was sexy to be for equality back in the 1990s. On every single issue I have been foursquare with the LGBT community. Equality is not just a gay and lesbian issue; it should be everybody’s issue. I will continue to be a leading advocate for the community upon my re-election.

WCT: What do you feel is the biggest problem facing the LGBT community today?

Joe Moore: The LGBT community is no different than any other community in that jobs and the economy serve as daunting challenges. The biggest challenge unique to the LGBT community, of course, is continued discrimination. Though our society is far more tolerant and accepting of LGBT individuals, we still have a long way to go. I look forward to the day where our differences are not only “tolerated,” but celebrated.

WCT: What are your views on TIFs [tax-increment funding]?

Joe Moore: It is a hot issue in the neighborhood right now. I think, like any tool, this could be a good thing or a bad thing. We are sitting right here at Hop Haus on the site of the Howard and Paulina TIF that was done in 1989 that has brought hundreds of jobs here.

If they are used to increase the bottom line for developers that is not good, especially when you shift the money from blighted schools and parks and only focus on housing. That is one of the concerns I am having with the TIF that Brian White is proposing, since it is only about conservation and it takes money away from other taxing bodies. It is important to keep downtown looking good but it’s not a blighted area.

I was one of the aldermen who opposed the LaSalle TIF because it was an unconscionable use of the money. We need more transparency and accountability along with stricter standards for what the money is used for. TIFs also should be easily accessible on the web and understandable to all voters.

WCT: How do you plan on making the 49th Ward the greenest, most sustainable ward in the city as stated on your website?

Joe Moore: We—my wife Barbara and I—formed the 49th Ward Green Corps four years ago enlisting ordinary residents in my neighborhood interested in sustainability and the environment to launch initiatives. We have a 49th Ward Swap, which is like a garage sale so people can trade their items with each other to keep stuff out of the environment and landfills. This has been really popular. We have groups that go around and train condos on how to recycle as well as workshops on how to create green rooftops and people that teach about horticulture in the schools. There is also the Glenwood Street Farmers Market, which was voted the most popular farmers market in Illinois which promotes locally grown food. We also have workshops on “Why Green Matters” to promote sustainable living. I would support a renewed and better run citywide.

WCT: What role does social-media outlets play in your campaign?

Joe Moore: It is a big role in my campaign and as alderman. I discovered firsthand that you could do all the great things in the world but if no one heard about it then it would be like the tree in the forest analogy. It costs nothing to use social media and there are great benefits to using them.

One example of our outreach is we feature a different restaurant or bar in the neighborhood every Friday where we have free drinks and appetizers. They are called “Follow Me on Friday” and we get the message out via Twitter and Facebook. Our most recent one was at the Glenwood Bar where we celebrated the signing of the civil-unions bill which was a very import victory and a step towards marriage equality. We had about 120 people attend.

To find out more about Moore, visit www.ward49.com or joemoore.org.