Vallas makes mayoral filing
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas has followed through on his promise to create a campaign committee that will raise money for a 2019 campaign for mayor.
The D- 1 Statement of Organization creating “Paul Vallas for Chicago” was filed late Sunday and stamped by the Illinois State Board of Elections at 9: 09 a. m. Monday.
As expected, the candidate’s brother and longtime political strategist, Dean Vallas, is listed as the campaign treasurer. Longtime friend and co- worker Marilyn Johnson is listed as campaign chairman. Johnson is a former Cook County Circuit Court judge who served as CPS general counsel under Vallas.
The D- 1 states that funds raised for Vallas’ mayoral campaign would be deposited in the Busey Bank of Plainfield.
That could become a source of controversy, considering Vallas just recently re- established residence in Chicago by buying a home in Lincoln Park.
Vallas, who has been mourning the loss of his son, Mark, could not be reached for comment.
In a text message, Vallas said interviews would have to wait until his “formal announcement” in a few weeks.
“At which time, I will be willing to be interviewed any time until Election Day, assuming I am still a person of interest,” he wrote.
Vallas is widely viewed as the strongest potential challenger to Mayor Rahm Emanuel because of his potential to build a multiracial coalition. He was wildly popular in the African- American community during a sixyear run as schools CEO that ended in 2001.
“Paul was a known commodity in Chicago 20 years ago,” Ald. PatO’Connor ( 40th), Emanuel’s City Council floor leader, said Monday. “But, that potential is based upon a reputation that is about two decades old. Can you rekindle that? . . . That just remains to be seen.”
Emanuel campaign spokesman Peter Giangreco released an emailed statement saying, “When the time is appropriate, our campaign will comment on Paul Vallas’ record of leaving fiscal time bombs behind as he moved fromjob to job in Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Connecticut.
“In the meantime, the mayor will continue to focus on stabilizing finances at the Chicago Public Schools, which have taken years to shore up after decades of mismanagement.”