Lightfoot attacks Vallas at women’s forum for staying ‘silent’ in aftermath of Roe v. Wade decision

Chicago mayoral candidates, including U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, activist Ja’Mal Green, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, Ald. Sophia King (4th), mayor Lori Lightfoot, Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and businessman Willie Wilson attend a mayoral forum organized by Health and Medicine Policy Research Group and Chicago Women Take Action Alliance at the Chicago Temple in the Loop, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, where eight candidates discussed their stances on issues affecting women. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

Mayor Lori Lightfoot seized an opportunity Saturday to attack one of her most vocal critics, Paul Vallas, at a forum that focused on issues important to Chicago women, accusing the former Chicago Public Schools CEO of staying “silent on this for seven months” about his support for abortion rights.

In a statement ahead of the debate, organized by the Chicago Women Take Action Alliance, Vallas promised that if elected mayor he would work to “ensure that Chicago remains a reproductive safe haven.”