(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- One of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s higher-profile challengers is attacking her over initiatives she is most proud of.
Former Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas ran for mayor four years ago, and this time is stressing public safety in his campaign. He’s also challenging Lightfoot’s assertion Chicago is thriving now that it’s recovering from the pandemic.
Yes, there are businesses coming to the city, he said, but there are many others leaving or closing.
“The middle class continues to exit the city because of high crime and because of the high taxes and inadequate schools,” said Vallas, a former city budget director.
Lightfoot has pointed to her multi-billion dollar Invest South/West initiative as groundbreaking economic development for the South and West Sides. But Vallas questions how much it has really done and argues the program has its roots in the Rahm Emanuel administration.
A number of areas in the city are still neglected, he said.
Vallas is the guest on this weekend’s edition of “At Issue,” which will air 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
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