Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas is once again making a run to be Chicago’s top executive, and his tough-on-crime messaging appears to be resonating with voters. A recent poll conducted by pollster Jason McGrath from GBAO Strategies on behalf of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign showed Vallas’ appeal growing with respondents — in that recent poll he placed second in the horserace behind the incumbent mayor with 22 percent of the vote.

Vallas wants to rescind a policy which limits the ability of Chicago police to conduct foot pursuits, a policy passed following the death of Adam Toledo and he also supports boosting the force by bringing back retired officers to work on patrols and as detectives. In January Vallas nabbed the endorsement of Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police.

Vallas, also a former city budget director, ran for mayor in 2019 but placed ninth in the race. In the runoff, Vallas endorsed Lightfoot over Cook County Board Pres. Toni Preckwinkle. Vallas ran for the Democratic nomination for Illinois governor in 2002 and ran for Illinois lieutenant governor in 2014 alongside then-Gov. Pat Quinn, though neither run was successful.

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