Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and a prominent figure in Chicago politics, has recently used his social media platform to criticize Mayor Brandon Johnson’s actions regarding City Hall staffing and the leadership search for Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
On February 10, 2026, Vallas questioned the mayor’s decisions concerning city employees and executive appointments. He wrote, “Mayor Johnson is keen on reminding Chicago that he is looking out for the interests of ‘working people.’ So it’s odd he recently laid off 9 of City Hall’s 21 custodians. Since Johnson became mayor, he’s created several new executive positions with 6-figure salaries and recently https://t.co/N8jm0LWIDe”.
Two days later, on February 12, 2026, Vallas addressed the ongoing process to select a new CEO for CPS. He stated, “Mayor Johnson meddling in the search for a new CPS CEO is no surprise. It confirms Johnson is only intent on indulging his handlers at the CTU. This revelation demands interim CEO Dr. Macquline King remain in place until a fully elected board is seated and can conduct a search”. In an additional post made seconds later, Vallas shared a link without further comment: “https://t.co/t5Qg83CQvB”.
Vallas’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about governance and labor issues in Chicago city government and public schools. The transition to an elected school board has been a significant topic in local education policy discussions since legislation was passed requiring such changes by 2027. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has played an influential role in shaping both school leadership selection processes and broader municipal policy priorities.
Mayor Brandon Johnson took office in May 2023 after serving as Cook County Commissioner. His administration has faced scrutiny over budgetary decisions impacting city staff while expanding executive roles within City Hall.
