Ill. Gov. Quinn names schools chief Paul Vallas as 2014 running mate

CHICAGO, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said he has chosen former Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas as his Democratic running mate in the 2014 gubernatorial election.

Vallas, an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2002, fills a vacancy on the ticket left by incumbent Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon's decision to run for state comptroller, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

Vallas has headed public school systems in Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Bridgeport, Conn.

A statement from Simon Friday congratulated the Quinn-Vallas team, citing Vallas as "someone who shares his (Quinn's) vision for greater opportunities for the children of the State of Illinois."