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Vallas to CSU board

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Illinois

Hoping to bring better stewardship to a troubled institution, Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to name Paul Vallas as one of four new trustees to the Chicago State University board, an unexpected arrangement between former political rivals.

The appointment of Vallas, who ran Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001, and the other board members will be effective Monday. The other trustees are Chicago attorneys Tiffany Harper and Nicholas Gowen, and World Sport Chicago executive director Kam Buckner, the Tribune has learned.

“Chicago State is a critical institution for the city of Chicago and Illinois,” Rauner said in a statement. “These four transformational leaders bring the experience and expertise that is needed to help ensure the university’s long-term success.”

The appointments mark a significant shift on the board, which will now be controlled by Rauner appointees, and comes at a time of turmoil for the 150-year-old Far South Side campus.

Rauner and Vallas have talked about various opportunities since the election. Either way, the CTU didn’t much care for Vallas back in the day and gave Pat Quinn all kinds of grief when he chose him as a running mate. So while they’re not quite on the same page on things, they are closer than it may appear.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:44 pm

Comments

This is fantastic news. Paul Vallas is a true professional. Imagine what could have been if Roland Burris did not decide to run a spoiler campaign against Blago and Vallas.

Our state and our entire school system from higher ed on down would be in much better shape.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:56 pm
Yes, let’s bring back mr. charterschools are best! Vallas…he helped destroy chicago public schools, I’m sure he can do at least that much damage to Chicago State.

Comment by Union Thug Gramma Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:57 pm
This is Rayner’s see ya to CSU, isn’t it?

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:05 pm
CSU is in dire need of an intervention. For too long, it has been used and abused by politicians as a piggy bank for jobs and contracts with little or no thought as to serving students or the public. Vallas, for all his faults, knows how to do major repairs to complex educational organizations. He also knows how to deal with outside political interference.

Ensuring the long-term success of CSU is something I agree 100% with Governor Rauner. Good luck to Vallas and the new board members. CSU is too important to fail.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:05 pm
Sorry. My phone seems to think Ray Rayner is governor.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:06 pm
@UnionThug - Heaven forbid he actual try to make improvements at Emil Jones Patronage U.

Comment by Chicagonk Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:08 pm
–Sorry. My phone seems to think Ray Rayner is governor.–

Chelveston the Duck for DNR Director!

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:11 pm
Also I know one of the other appointees, Nick Gowen, and he is very capable.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:16 pm
–This is fantastic news. Paul Vallas is a true professional. Imagine what could have been if Roland Burris did not decide to run a spoiler campaign against Blago and Vallas.–

Burris’ spoiler campaign was for, not against, Blago.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:26 pm
CSU to Rauner: SOS, what about our funding?

Comment by DuPage Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:46 pm
Yes Burris ran in a campaign against both Vallas and Blago that had the effect of electing Blago.

That is how spoilers work

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:52 pm
I’m glad he finally found a job. Anybody know what Gary Chico is doing these days?

Comment by James Knell Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 2:56 pm
Chicago State University needs to enter the 21st Century at long last. Seriously, the university is a dependent basket case compared to other campuses. How many other state universities get a percentage of lottery dollars to stay in business?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 3:56 pm
Well. I guess it’s something.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 3:57 pm
Entering the 21st century - couldn’t agree more. Perhaps some professional educators serving on CSU’s Board of Trustees would be a good idea for the 21st century. Rather than Mr. Vallas, that is.

And then a steady, predictable revenue stream, so families could be assured that junior’s school would be focusing on education, rather than lurching from one funding crisis to another.

Comment by Jack Jackson Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 4:19 pm