The Illinois Policy Institute announced today Paul Vallas is joining its team as policy adviser. Vallas, who formerly served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools and budget director for the city of Chicago, will lend his extensive expertise on education, public safety and fiscal policy. “My life’s work has been about identifying policies that lift people up and bring stability to our city’s finances. Right now, the City of Chicago is at a breaking point. Our public agencies are about to fall off a fiscal cliff, the kids in our public schools are falling behind after COVID-19 lockdowns exacerbated learning struggles, our economy is lagging, and businesses are unable to operate in a high-crime, high-tax, and high-regulation environment. I will never be someone who sits idly by and complains about these problems. I am always going to work to make things better. That’s why I could think of no one better to partner with than the strongest government watching in the state -the Illinois Policy Institute.” The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan research organization that promotes responsible government and free market principles.