Vallas' run for office over before it started

Former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas, who narrowly lost a bid for governor in the 2002 Democratic primary, shut the door Sunday to another run for executive office in 2010.

"I would have liked to have run for governor," Vallas said.

But Vallas said he is staying on as chief of New Orleans' school district for at least an extra year to "get it done right."

Vallas signed on for a third year down South last week, meaning his contract won't expire until June of 2010, too late, he said, to make a run for office in an election that November.

Vallas' wife and children live in Palos Heights and he commutes to work in New Orleans.

Despite a strong suburban showing, Vallas lost a three-way primary by about 20,000 votes to Rod Blagojevich, who is now serving his second term. After losing, Vallas took a position heading Philadelphia's public schools.

Vallas' name has been floated as a potential GOP candidate for governor or Cook County Board president. Most recently, DuPage County GOP chair Dan Cronin, a state senator, said he was in talks with Vallas about the move.

Vallas made the disclosure Sunday at a news conference he held to endorse a referendum for a constitutional convention.

Voters are asked every 20 years if the constitution should be opened to a convention process that would rewrite it and then resubmit it to voters.

Proponents, including Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and good government groups, argue a new constitution could help clean up Illinois politics by changing laws governing how political districts are drawn, adding a voter recall option and instituting term limits. Some proponents hope to restructure education funding and tax laws.

Opponents of the referendum, including union and business groups, argue a convention could produce a worse constitution. They say officials in Springfield, who are blamed for ongoing political gridlock, would be in charge of how a convention is operated.

Voters will get to log their position on Election Day.