CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - He’s run for the office before, but today former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas is launching another campaign for Mayor.
Ever since the last mayoral election, former schools chief and City Budget Director Paul Vallas has been active on social media pointing out what he said are the failures of Lori Lightfoot’s administration.
“Look at the crime epidemic, which is truly an epidemic. Look at the deteriorating schools. Look at the endless cycle of what I call, ‘tax and waste,’” said Vallas.
He called Police Superintendent David Brown incompetent and besides new leadership, Vallas said the department needs a victim and witness protection program to fight crime.
“When you have 58 mass-shootings in Chicago last year, and only a handful of actual arrests, that tells you that the public is afraid to come forward because, it’s not that they are afraid of the police but they believe the police to not protect them,” Vallas said.
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He added too many officers are leaving the force and the ranks are depleted, and he said the schools aren’t doing their part either.
Vallas said when he was public schools CEO he built 78 new schools, renovated 350 others and put parks on the campuses of 150 schools. He said he didn't do all that so the schools could be closed in late afternoon, all weekend and in the summer when young people most need some place safe and meaningful to go. He insists that would change if he’s elected Mayor.
Vallas also believes the schools haven’t been doing their part to promote public safety. He said CPS could help more young people get jobs.
“The mayor controls $28 billion in spending annually, because she controls not only the city, but the schools, the CHA, the CTA, parks, etc., city colleges. But, there’s no reason why the mayor couldn’t create tens of thousands of work-study jobs for high school students,” Vallas noted.
So far, businessman Willie Wilson, Illinois lawmaker Kam Buckner and Alderman Raymond Lopez are the others in the race.
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