Rahm Emanuel’s name can’t be on Chicago mayoral ballot

[Dave]

In this case, I think the court made the right decision. The rules are pretty plain and simple as far as I can tell, you must reside within the city of Chicago for at least 1 year prior to the election to be eligible to be mayor. Rahm has not lived in Chicago for 1 year... I don't even think its been 6 months and by rule of law, he shouldn't be eligible to be in the election. I detest people trying to use their position or clout to try and get rules bent for their own personal gain.... if you can't do it the fair and right way, you shouldn't do it at all... specially if your trying to set a good example.

 

 

CHICAGO — An Illinois Appeals Court has ruled that Rahm Emanuel’s name can’t appear on the ballot for Chicago mayor because he didn’t live in the city in the year before the election.

The decision put Emanuel’s candidacy into doubt a month before the election. He had been considered the front-runner and had raised more money than any other candidate.

The court voted 2-1 to overturn a lower-court ruling that would have kept Emanuel’s name on the Feb. 22 ballot.

A lawyer for Emanuel says they plan to appeal the matter to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Those challenging Emanuel’s candidacy have argued that the Democrat doesn’t meet the one-year residency requirement because he rented out his Chicago home and moved his family to Washington to work for President Barack Obama for nearly two years.

Emanuel has said he always intended to return to Chicago and was only living in Washington at the request of the president.

Emanuel is one of several candidates vying to replace Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who did not seek a seventh term. Emanuel moved back to Chicago in October after he quit working for Obama to campaign full-time.

Before today’s ruling, attorney Burt Odelson, who represents two voters objecting to Emanuel’s candidacy, had little luck trying to keep Emanuel off the ballot. The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners and a Cook County judge have both ruled in favor of Emanuel, a former congressman, saying he didn’t abandon his Chicago residency when he went to work at the White House.

Odelson had said he planned to take the challenge all the way to the state Supreme Court, if necessary.

The three main other candidates running for mayor are former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, former schools President Gery Chico and City Clerk Miguel del Valle.

Braun’s campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Read more: Court: Rahm Emanuel’s name can’t be on mayoral ballot | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20110124/NEWS15/110124031/Court-Rahm-E...

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

Yes!! it would appear the rules for simply voting in the state of IL, and the ones involved with running for public office are two different things.

Little things like the law have never stopped Raum in the past though so this may get changed again at the state level. It will not get bumped up to Federal level, as election law is a state affair according to the constitution.

Of coarse Mr Emanual has never worried about the ramifications of that document in the past either, preferring to never let a good crisis go to waste?? :)

[Willy]

If Emanuel was only in Washington on a temporatry basis and never gave up his residency he may have a good arguement. Did he vote as a resident of Chicago? Would the same situation apply to Congressional members from Illinois. I think the higher court will rule in his favor.

[J.B]

RJE   I think he rented his only home out.  so he gave up his residency. but like you said Guido Voteing is Ill is another mater

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

Well.. as we have now learned, IL law is subject to who you are and not the actual language of the law. And further more it would appear most Chicago residents are okay with that also as he seems to be polling way ahead. 

 

I am sure some liberal would claim but the intent of the law was different. Okay so we can now use the excuse "but I meant it to say something else"... anytime I lose an argument? I don't want to live in that childish universe.

[AQUAMAN]

I like Chicago, my second fav. big city just behind Milwaukee. Good people, great food, great sports, nice architecture, mostly friendly and not over-hauty and over-priced, but, not so great politics. I expect Rahm will do well, and that will keep Mr. O off his toes, and off his best game plan. His exit from DC will be to the detriment of the current administration, and quite possibly, to the betterment of the best interests of the people at large nationwide, or I would hope so. Time will tell in the next few years.