Chicago City Wire

Former CEO of Chicago Public Schools calls out Mayor Lori Lightfoot on the lack of proper administrative measures in handling violence.

Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) said in a tweet that Mayor Lightfoot and CPD Superintendent Brown's strategy to reduce violence over Memorial Day weekend was ineffective. More than 50 people were shot in the city over the weekend.

"Last night a mass shooting occurred on the westside & a person was shot downtown on Michigan Ave. @chicagosmayor & Supt Brown's so called Memorial Day weekend strategy isn't working. So far this weekend there are more murders than last yr. We need real leadership," said Vallas on Twitter.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Police Superintendent David Brown spoke at a press conference on Friday morning about their plans to keep people safe over the holiday weekend, WTTW reported. Lightfoot and Brown announced increased police patrols throughout Memorial Day weekend. "I feel confident in the plan that we have for this weekend, and really for the summer," Lightfoot said. Superintendent Brown said, "There's no reason why we can't enjoy the opening of the beaches and parks for summer activities safely."

More than 50 people were shot over the weekend in Chicago, 9 of whom were killed, NBC reported. Four shooting victims were wounded in the downtown area, while around half of the victims sustained their injuries on the city's West Side. Over Memorial Day weekend 2021, 37 people were shot, 3 of whom were killed.

As of May 29, there had been 232 murders, 952 shooting incidents, 826 criminal sexual assaults, 3,158 robberies, 2,167 aggravated batteries, 2,810 burglaries, 6,577 thefts, and 5,128 motor vehicle thefts reported in Chicago, according to data from the Chicago Police Department.

Democrat Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is considering running for mayor of Chicago in the upcoming election, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Vallas ran an unsuccessful mayoral campaign last election cycle. Vallas has experience with the city's finances, having served as city revenue director and budget director under former Mayor Daley. Vallas is a law enforcement supporter, helping to secure raises for Chicago Police Officers while serving as an unpaid advisor to the Fraternal Order of Police.