Vallas Eyes Illinois

Paul G. Vallas, the chief executive officer of the Philadelphia schools, has asked a court to declare him eligible to hold constitutional office in Illinois, a decision that would overcome a three-year residency requirement and potentially allow him to seek the governor’s office. Mr. Vallas, a Democrat and former Chicago schools chief who filed his petition in Cook County circuit court last month, narrowly lost a party primary for governor in 2002. While he has said he will not run for governor in 2006, he has not ruled out seeking an Illinois elected...

By Sean Cavanagh