Emanuel Mayoral bid hits potholes - USA Today

By Judy Keen, USA TODAY

CHICAGO - Rahm Emanuel election campaign for mayor was derailed - at least temporarily - on Monday to appeal an Illinois court ruled that it did not meet the residency requirement of one year.

Former White House Chief of Staff, the applicant's work as mayor in October in his hometown is left to appeal the decision 01/02 of the Supreme Court of Illinois.

Prompt action is likely: The nonpartisan election is February 22, early voting begins January 31st. The winner will replace Mayor Richard Daley, who retired.

"I have no doubt that we will in these efforts can not prevail," said Emanuel. He called the verdict "only a turn in the road."

Burt Odelson try two Chicagoans, Emanuel is removed from the ballot likes his chances in the Supreme Court, where he said that the law is the central issue, not the stature of Emanuel.

"What is at stake is one of the highest offices in the United States, and not who he is ... and its ability to raise funds," said Odelson.

Emanuel has surpassed its rival, support and cash. He announced last week that it has raised more than $ 10 million and a Chicago Tribune / WGN poll showed that 44% of registered voters supported it. If no candidate wins 50% of the vote, it will be a second round of elections in April.

The survey revealed that 21% supported Valle, a former U.S. senator Carol Moseley Braun, 16% are guaranteed former school board chairman Gery Chico and 7% of the City Clerk Miguel del

Candidates, "said political scientist Thomas Serafin, have a chance to pick up some traction," while the viability of the campaign Emanuel is in doubt. "Everybody is in the city was won in the number of images, and all of a sudden (the other candidates) in the game," he said.

The Court of Appeal reversed the judgments of the Chicago Board of Commissioners and Cook County Judge Emanuel election that meet the residency requirements. He was a congressman representing a district in Chicago before the government of President Obama in January 2009. He rented his house in Chicago and his family moved to Washington.

The appellate court stated that the municipal code of the city uses the word "resident" means that the candidate has to "live" in the city of residence, "rather than vote."

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Bertina Lampkin wrote that Emanuel does not lose his home while serving as chief of staff to Obama. At a press conference Monday, said Emanuel, "I have a house here ... vote from there, pay taxes here."

Michael Dorf, a lawyer chosen not involved in the case, said: "Common sense works clearly in favor of Emmanuel." The Illinois Supreme Court is not obliged to accept the case, but the Village believes it will be.

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