DOWNTOWN — Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas has officially secured endorsements from two Downtown Aldermen.
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) officially endorsed Vallas Monday morning, saying Downtown needs a mayor like Vallas “who will put public safety first.” Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) endorsed Vallas Feb. 3.
“The Central Business District that I represent is the beating heart of our city’s economy, and we need a Mayor like Paul Vallas who will put public safety first and make our downtown and all neighborhoods safer,” Reilly said in a news release Monday. “I’m excited to endorse Paul because he’s clearly the candidate best equipped to make Chicago safer and bring real accountability to city government.”
In January, Reilly told Block Club Chicago he wanted incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot out but didn’t say who he was endorsing at the time. He said he looks forward to working with the new mayor to kill the NASCAR deal that would bring races to Downtown streets.
In 2019, Reilly endorsed Lightfoot in the runoff election against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. But between NASCAR and the recent Bally’s casino deal, both of which Reilly vehemently opposed, Reilly has said he’s banking on Downtown voters turning against Lightfoot this election.
Both Reilly and Hopkins are sailing into their next terms unopposed, securing two allies for Vallas if he were elected. Retiring Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) has also thrown his support behind Vallas.
Vallas has faced recent questions over his residency.
The Vallas family has claimed tax exemptions on a home in south suburban Palos Heights, according to WTTW. Vallas’ voter registration, however, shows him living in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
In order to run for mayor, Chicago candidates must have been a resident of the city for at least a year before Election Day. Additionally, the address used for tax exemptions and voter registration must be an individuals primary residence. Vallas has lived in Bridgeport since January 2022, according to a report from WTTW.
An investigation by the Cook County Assessor’s office concluded that the exemption was legal because Vallas’ wife lives there and owns the property, according to WTTW.
A spokesperson for Vallas’ campaign told WTTW Vallas lives in Chicago while his wife lives in Palos Heights to care for her elderly parents and 93-year-old mother-in-law.
Vallas is one of nine candidates running for mayor. State Rep. Kam Buckner, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, community activist Ja’Mal Green, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, Ald. Sophia King (4th), Lightfoot, Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) and businessman Willie Wilson are also running.