I Have to Ask: Kellie Lee Mansfield (Champaign Co. Board Candidate)

This week, I Have to Ask is joined by Kellie Lee Mansfield, a Democrat running for Champaign County Board in the 4th District on the following platform (copied from the above-linked Facebook Page):

• Homelessness/Evictions/Food Insecurity - Adults and children who are food insecure may be at an increased risk for a variety of negative health outcomes and health disparities. Examples are increased risk for obesity and higher rates of chronic disease in low-income communities. https://www.toi.org/township/champaign-county-cunningham-township/
• Against De-funding the Re-entry Program- People are often released from prison with minimal income, and those who find employment face reduced earnings and may have difficulty paying for housing. https://www.firstfollowersreentry.com/
• Reforming Police Funds to Fund Community Programs- It’s about being available, being accessible and focusing on engagement activities rather than enforcement-based activities that can really bring about trust. An example is to bring in an crisis worker in to a situation to de-escalate if mental illness or a trauma victim is involved.
• County Jail Consolidation- Both jails house 295 inmates; the plan is to lower the number of inmates. Downtown jail is very unsafe for both workers and inmates; and NEEDS to be torn down. Rival gang members and inmates with mental issues have a very difficult time with being separated to safer areas. There is limited space for classrooms; so Community Programs have limited access to educate inmates for a more positive future when released.

Stream the full episode here:

[smart_podcast_player url="http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:545119665/sounds.rss"  style="dark"  show_name="I Have To Ask…"  color="#fc7935" ]

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Soundcloud

Follow: Twitter / Facebook