/ 25 January 2011

Court tosses Emanuel off Chicago mayoral ballot

An Illinois state appeals court on Monday threw the Chicago mayor's race into turmoil by ruling Rahm Emanuel did not qualify for the February ballot.

An Illinois state appeals court on Monday threw the Chicago mayor’s race into turmoil by ruling that front-runner and former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel did not qualify for the February ballot.

Illinois law requires candidates for municipal offices to be residents of the city for a year prior to elections. The appellate court, in its 2-1 ruling, said that although Emanuel owns a house in the city, he rented it out and did not live there.

The ruling overturned decisions by a lower court and a Chicago elections board that had allowed Emanuel to run in the February 22 election.

Emanuel said he would appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court and urged quick consideration.

Emanuel, who resigned as President Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff in October to run for mayor, was challenged on the residency issue by several Chicago residents.

“I have no doubt that in the end we will prevail,” Emanuel said at a news conference held at a downtown restaurant.

“I do believe the people of Chicago deserve the right to choose who they want as the next mayor,” Emanuel added.

The court said that under Illinois law, an exception for residency while serving on US business is extended to voters, but not to candidates.

“Of course it changes the entire complexion of the race,” said Dick Simpson, a University of Illinois-Chicago political analyst.

Simpson said that former US Senator Carol Moseley Braun becomes the leading candidate in the race.

A Chicago Tribune poll published last week showed Emanuel leading the race by a comfortable margin, with 44% compared to his nearest rival Braun at 21%.

Emanuel has raised $11,8-million for the campaign, from big names such as film director Steven Spielberg. Braun has raised less than $500 000.

The current mayor, Richard Daley, is retiring after 22 years in office. – Reuters