A community outreach manager at Lurie Children’s Hospital, McGill describes himself as a “public health professional focused on gun violence prevention and public safety for more than seven years.” McGill formerly taught in CPS and was the program manager of the Student Voices Program, a youth gun-violence initiative at the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have spent the last decade of my life working as a gun violence prevention advocate and activist,” McGill says. “I’ve even had the pleasure of facilitating a program for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence entitled the Activist Institute, which engaged youth in developing their skills as community activists and having their voices heard on topics of public safety.
“Though I’ve never volunteered, of course I’ve had interactions with Chicago police officers. I’ve lived in multiple over-policed communities throughout my life. I’ve also interacted with officers professionally in experiences ranging from engaging in youth programming, interacting with school resource officers as a public school teacher, and attending both CAPS and beat meetings.”
Candidate questionnaire responses
- Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes
- Do you have experience interacting with CPD? Yes
- Do you have experience working or interacting with government? Yes
- Should the city hire more police officers? No
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.
- CPD reform: The police need significant reform.
- Mental health crises: Police should not be involved in mental health crisis calls at all.
What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?
- Other: “All of the above!!! I think the role of a police district councillor (PDC) is a healthy combination of all of these. Additionally, I believe the PDC will be a thought partner alongside the district leadership to develop restorative justice and trauma-informed practices and programs for the district.”
Why are you running for Police District Council?
I am running for District Council because I grew up during a time when Chicago Police didn’t have any accountability for what they did or how terribly it impacted our communities. Now we can shut the door on that lack of accountability, while creating long lasting change in the way our communities are policed, as well as expand and encourage preventative, proactive, community-based and evidence-based approaches to public safety.