(Above) Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson (left) and Paul Vallas (right) wait for the start of a debate at ABC7 studios in downtown Chicago on March 16 (Chris Sweda/AP Images).

By Don DeBat

28-Mar-23 – Although only 40 percent or less of registered voters in Chicago are expected to vote, some analysts say the April 4 runoff election between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson is a classic example of “haves” versus “have nots.”

In his 40 years of government service, Vallas, age 69, was Executive Director of the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission, City of Chicago Revenue Director, and City of Chicago Director of Budget and Finance, so he may be the best Windy City bean counter on the ticket. This writer has wholly endorsed him.

The Chicago Tribune, which endorses Vallas, says he is “the candidate best positioned to tackle the city’s existential problem of violent crime.”

Vallas is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and major building trades unions. And recently he received the endorsement of Arne Duncan, the former United States Secretary of Education.

Here are a few of Vallas’ strong points:

• Vallas proposes a fast-track plan to cap soaring real estate taxes to stop the exodus of homeowners to the suburbs and other cities and states.

• Vallas outright rejects Johnson’s proposal of a “Mansion Tax” on the sale of homes priced at $1 million or more. The tax revenue to make the “ultra-rich pay their fair share” would help the homeless, said Johnson, who notes that 35 percent of North Side families earn $100,000 a year or more, while half of the West Siders and South Siders make less than $25,000 a year.

And the proposed 2023 NASCAR race, says Vallas, is “offensive.”

“The event would close off Grant Park (left) to city residents and a major section of the lakefront thoroughfare and would prohibit traditional recreational purposes for weeks on end in the heart of summer,” he said.

While NASCAR may be hard to stop in 2023, Vallas says if elected he would cancel the event for 2024 and 2025.

In the area of education – his lifelong focus – Vallas would:

• Decentralize the Chicago Board of Education, cut bureaucracy, and direct more funds to schools and classrooms. Currently, only 60 percent of the money homeowners pay for schools actually gets to the classrooms. In Cook County, 57.5 percent of property taxes go to fund public schools.

• Vallas, who served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001, argues that CPS test scores have “plummeted” with a mere six percent of Black students meeting state standards in math, and only 11 percent measuring up in reading.

• Vallas would extend the school day and year and give parents a 100 percent choice to send kids to any school of their choosing – public, private, or parochial. He also plans to open schools after hours for community programs and services.

Both candidates agree biggest issue is public safety

“Black Chicagoans are far more likely to be the victims of crime, which is why so many voted for Vallas or businessman Willie Wilson, who ran far to Vallas’ right on the issue,” noted the Tribune in its endorsement.

Thousands of lakefront North Siders voted for Vallas, and so did residents of the Far Northwest and Far Southwest neighborhoods. Many of these voters are longtime Chicagoans over the age of 45.

Constituents who are shocked by Gold Coast riots, looting, and citywide carjackings want to see expanded and improved police protection.

“Fear of crime is about more than the murder rate in a particular neighborhood. It is about the basic human need for safety and security,” noted the Tribune.

Vallas emphasizes that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has not been aggressive in keeping dangerous repeat criminals off the streets.

He promises to bring back hundreds of retired police officers to fill staffing shortfalls, plans to move more cops to local beats, and wants to graduate two classes a year from the police academy to help fill 1,700 job openings. Vallas also would create a dedicated Transit Unit to provide security on the CTA, replacing the current private security forces.

Johnson, a self-described Democratic Socialist who is endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, says he will not raise property taxes if elected. He is proposing a stream of new revenues – mostly new taxes on big business, including a “big business head tax,” and higher hotel taxes.

Vallas said Johnson’s close ties to the teacher’s union as a paid organizer for CTU presents a conflict of interest. He says the city needs fiscal experience, not Socialist rhetoric.

Johnson, age 46, didn’t start teaching until age 31. Later, he landed jobs with the state legislature and the New City YMCA. Within only four years, he traded teaching for organizing. He has been a Cook County Commissioner since 2018.

Johnson believes that schools will improve when they’re fully funded and in neighborhoods with resources. He wants to invest $1 billion in social programs bankrolled in part by an $800 million increase in taxes.

Four business groups – Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, and Illinois Retail Merchants Association – oppose tax hikes and back Vallas.

No matter who wins the election, this writer believes hiring more cops and rebuilding the Chicago Police Department brick-by-brick is essential.

This writer also believes the majority of the newly hired police officers should be minorities. Train them to be “officer friendly” cops who are dedicated to a defined area. To build trust, they should knock on every door on their beat and introduce themselves as “your neighborhood cop, assigned to serve and protect your family.”

As for education and building a pool of minority jobs, who says every kid from the inner city needs a college degree? There is a palpable shortage of skilled blue-collar workers in the building and essential trades, such as mechanics and service technicians.

For example, if an inner-city high school graduate signs up with the 6,000-member Plumbers Local Union 130’s five-year apprenticeship program, his or her beginning wage is $17.95 an hour for the first six months, $19.55 an hour in the second six months, $23.25 an hour in year two, and $39.60 an hour in year five, plus benefits.

A journeyman plumber earns $52.80 an hour, plus benefits, which include health insurance, a comprehensive pension plan, set work hours, and overtime rates.

“As in all union building trades jobs, you have to pass drug tests and be willing to work really hard,” said a recently retired union electrician. “However, at retirement, you can live a comfortable life.”