Christopher Banks is from East New York, Brooklyn. He has an associate's degree in judicial studies from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He attends Changing Lives Christian Center.

Chris has worked as a community program manager and as an education group leader and adolescent coordinator at the local Police Athletic League.

Beating the Barron: a Q&A with council candidate Chris Banks - City ...

2013 NYC Voter Guide: Christopher Banks

Chris is currently a New York City Council Member representing District 42. He was elected in 2023 and is serving his first term. Before his election to the City Council, Chris ran for the New York State Assembly in 2012 and 2014 and for New York City Council in 2013 but did not win. He is a former member of Community Board 5.

Plans to create a grant-based program to support local small businesses, modeled after successful micro-grant initiatives.

Plans to create programs and events that promote local businesses and educate residents about district goods and services.

- Plans to create a grant-based program to support local small businesses, modeled after successful micro-grant initiatives.
- Plans to create programs and events that promote local businesses and educate residents about district goods and services.

Economy

Supports increased access to public transportation, creation of new youth and senior community centers, and improved educational facilities and libraries.

Plans to create a local food co-op to provide low-cost fresh food options for area residents.

- Supports increased access to public transportation, creation of new youth and senior community centers, and improved educational facilities and libraries.
- Plans to create a local food co-op to provide low-cost fresh food options for area residents.

Public Services

Plans to increase affordable housing by advocating for stricter oversight of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and increasing set-asides for local residents.

Plans to address affordable housing by partnering with local community organizations and developers to create affordable housing opportunities for district residents.

Plans to partner with local community organizations and developers to create affordable housing opportunities for district residents.

Advocates for local hiring thresholds of 60% for development projects.

Plans to partner with trade organizations, local workforce development programs, and community-based organizations to develop a pipeline of local talent for neighborhood projects.

Plans to work with shelter operators to identify resources needed to break the cycle of homelessness and help residents become self-sustaining.

- Plans to increase affordable housing by advocating for stricter oversight of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and increasing set-asides for local residents.
- Plans to partner with local community organizations and developers to create affordable housing opportunities for district residents.
- Advocates for local hiring thresholds of 60% for development projects.
- Plans to partner with trade organizations, local workforce development programs, and community-based organizations to develop a pipeline of local talent for neighborhood projects.
- Plans to work with shelter operators to identify resources needed to break the cycle of homelessness and help residents become self-sustaining.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to address public safety and sanitation concerns by promoting resources that will provide security cameras and supplemental sanitation services for local businesses.

Advocates for mandatory annual mental health screenings for NYPD officers.

Plans to enhance police-community accountability by strengthening the Civilian Complaint Review Board and regularly reviewing crime statistics and police performance with precinct commanders.

- Plans to address public safety and sanitation concerns by promoting resources that will provide security cameras and supplemental sanitation services for local businesses.
- Advocates for mandatory annual mental health screenings for NYPD officers.
- Plans to enhance police-community accountability by strengthening the Civilian Complaint Review Board and regularly reviewing crime statistics and police performance with precinct commanders.

Public Safety

Advocates for a reliable public transportation infrastructure and community representation in bus route discussions.

Supports legislation to create more electric vehicle charging stations.

- Advocates for a reliable public transportation infrastructure and community representation in bus route discussions.
- Supports legislation to create more electric vehicle charging stations.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports climate policies that protect communities and create local jobs, and advocates for the use of sustainable energy technologies like solar power and green roofs.

- Supports climate policies that protect communities and create local jobs, and advocates for the use of sustainable energy technologies like solar power and green roofs.

Energy & the Environment

Advocates for creating more affordable and quality mental and medical care options.

- Advocates for creating more affordable and quality mental and medical care options.

Healthcare

Supports creating an "educational safety net" by advocating for diverse educational options in the district.

- Supports creating an "educational safety net" by advocating for diverse educational options in the district.

Education

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Christopher Banks

Chris is a community program manager who has run after-school and summer youth programs for the East New York Local Development Corporation. He previously worked as an education group leader and adolescent coordinator at the local Police Athletic League.

Plans to work with business leaders to address public safety and sanitation concerns by promoting resources like security cameras and supplemental sanitation services.

Chris is a community organizer and program director. He works at the East New York Local Development Corporation, where he ran after-school and summer youth programs. He also served as the chair of the Board of Directors for the Boulevard Houses Nursery Day Care, overseeing several city contracts. Earlier in his career, he worked at the Police Athletic League as an education group leader and adolescent coordinator. Chris co-founded the East New York United Concerned Citizens Inc., an anti-poverty organization, and the East New York Collaborative, focused on community building.

Chris is currently a New York City Council Member representing District 42. He was elected in 2023 and is serving his first term. Before his election to the City Council, Chris ran for the New York State Assembly in 2012 and 2014 and for New York City Council in 2013 but did not win. He is a former member of Community Board 5 and currently serves as the President of the 75th Precinct Council.

Plans to create a local FRESH initiative to sustain the development of supermarkets in underserved communities, aiming to address food insecurity and create local job opportunities.

Advocates for more educational options and creating a roundtable forum with principals, parents, and early education providers to improve the education safety net.

Plans to address affordable housing by partnering with local community organizations and developers to create affordable housing opportunities.

Plans to address public safety by promoting resources for security cameras in local businesses.

Advocates for a reliable public transportation infrastructure and community input on bus route changes.

Advocates for creating new health and mental health care facilities in the district and working with existing hospitals and community health centers to maximize services.

Plans to partner with local medical and mental health providers and teaching institutions to create internship opportunities and extend the mental health safety net.

Supports climate policies that protect the environment and create local jobs, such as using sustainable energy technologies like solar power and green roofs, and partnering with minority-owned businesses to improve energy efficiency in public housing.

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​