The front-runner doesn't meet residency requirements, a state appeals court says, reversing the elections board. The former congressman and Obama chief of staff plans to appeal.
 Rahm Emanuel appears in Chicago. (Scott Olson / Getty Images / December 2, 2010) |
Reporting from Chicago —
Rahm Emanuel, who left Chicago to join the Obama administration as White House chief of staff, should not appear on the Feb. 22 mayoral ballot in the city because he does not meet the residency standard, according to a ruling issued by a state appellate court Monday.Emanuel told a news conference he would appeal the decision to the Illinois Supreme Court and would ask for an injunction so his name would appear on the mayoral ballot.
"I have no doubt at the end we'll prevail in this effort," Emanuel said. "We'll now go to the next level to get clarity."
Emanuel, a former congressman, has been the front-running candidate in the race to succeed retiring Mayor Richard Daley. The latest poll by the Chicago Tribune showed Emanuel at 44%, more than double his closest rival, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun.
In a 2-1 ruling Monday, the appellate panel said Emanuel does not meet the residency requirement of having lived in Chicago for a year prior to the election. The judges reversed a decision by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, which had unanimously agreed that Emanuel was eligible to run for mayor.
"We conclude that the candidate neither meets the [Illinois] Municipal Code's requirement that he have 'resided in' Chicago for the year preceding the election in which he seeks to participate nor falls within any exception to the requirement," the majority judges wrote.
Emanuel said he meets requirements despite moving to Washington, D.C.. He served as President Obama's White House chief of staff until October.
"Fundamentally, when a president asks you to serve the country as his chief of staff, you do it," Emanuel said.
The municipal code exempts from residency requirements members of the military who serve away from home. State election code also includes a government service exemption that protects the residency status of anyone who temporarily leaves "on business of the United States."
Early voting begins Jan. 31. An elections board spokesman said ballots are scheduled to be printed midweek.
Later, Langdon D. Neal, the elections board chairman, issued a statement: "We're going to press with one less candidate for mayor."
Elections board spokesman Jim Allen said ballots would be printed Monday night.
"We've basically hit the 'go' button," Allen said. "We needed to do this on the 18th. We were waiting for this decision. We are going to press now; we have to."
"A candidate who is removed from the ballots by the courts has until Feb. 15 to file as a write-in," Allen said.
kmack@tribune.com
Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
It's frustrating that one of the most important cities in the States might not necessarily get the best person for the job of Mayor. Is it more important that we get the RIGHT person, or someone who fulfills paperwork requirements? Whoever gets in will have a big job on their hands - improve crime, education and the balance the budget. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that Emanuel even got passed the Appellate court. There is no way the Supreme court is going to not let him run.
ReplyDelete^That was Mikey Schostok
ReplyDeleteI think Rahm Emanuel should stay on the ballot. The article said that, according to polls, Emanuel is the front runner. Obviously the people want him to be mayor so he should stay on the ballot because it is what the people want.
ReplyDeletePhil Gross
I don't see how he won't get on the ballot when the state election code includes a government service exemption, which clearly applies to his case.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Emanuel should be put on the ballot. Just because he served for Obama does not mean that he is exempt from the law. Colleges do not bend the rules for late applicants, so why should he be put on the ballot when he does not meet all of the requirements?
ReplyDelete-Lindsey Bezouska
Taking him off the ballot was too much of a penalty. He served as President Obama's chief of staff, and in my opinion, that qualifies for being a good leader. He shouldn't have to be taken off the ballot...
ReplyDeleteForver Ferrera <3
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ReplyDeleteBased on what i have read, i do not think he should be able to run for mayor. He doesnt meet the requirements nessary to run for the mayor of chicago. We cant bend the rules for him just beacuse he worked for the president. If he wnats to be mayor he will live in chicago and run in the next term.
ReplyDelete-Rachel Lee
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ReplyDeleteI feel that it is unfair that he was taken off the ballot at such short notice. I feel that he was given the short stick since he was in washington D.C. serving the president. Also, he did have a house rented out in Illinois. what makes me wonder about how the court case will be ruled is that one of the supreme court justices is friends with an opposing candidate. it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
ReplyDelete-jsirotiak
I dont think Emanuel should be put on the ballot, he does not meet the requirements needed to run for mayor. If he wanted to run for mayor, he shouldnt have chose to work for Obama
ReplyDelete- Jack Doyle
I will admit that I do not know much about this man but the law is the law. He has to live in Illinois for the right about of time. I don’t understand why they are even debating it. The law is he has to be a resident for so long and this man has not. There for he can not run.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Gallagher
I think Raham is the right man for the job, but if he isn't legally eligible for the job, then he shouldn't be on the ballot. I still think Mayor Daley should stay in office but whatevaaaaa.
ReplyDeleteJimmy "J RY" Ryan
If the guy doesn't meet the requirements, he shouldn't be on the ballot. That's all that needs to be said. So yeah. Word to your mother.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Rahm Emanuel should still be on the ballot because he went to help the president. Being asked to be the chief of staff is a huge deal and shows a good politician Emanuel is. Besides that, he obviously is very involved and concerned in Chicago. He has been running for mayor for awhile and didn't move for a dumb reason. He moved in order to help the president which shouldn't be a reason to take him off the ballot.
ReplyDeleteEd Banderowicz
Despite the fact that he worked for the white house and is ahead in the polls, he does not meet the requirements needed to run, so I say he should not be able too. Tommy Miller
ReplyDeleteEmanuel severed as a congressmen and Obama's chief of staff, therefore he should be able to run for mayor. He has proven his worth i guess.
ReplyDeleteJ.C. Pawlak
Even though Emanuel is the leading canidate for mayor, he should not be able to run. I think that if he does not meet the requirements to run for mayor then he should not be able to. Patrick Mulroy
ReplyDeleteI believe that Rahm Emanuel should be allowed to run, but I dont think he will be. He is the favored candidate and people care more about what he can do for Chicago instead of his residency
ReplyDelete-Luke Zizzo
I can understand that he should not be on the ballot because he has not been a resident for the one year that he required. However, the municple code states that, "The municipal code exempts from residency requirements members of the military who serve away from home. State election code also includes a government service exemption that protects the residency status of anyone who temporarily leaves "on business of the United States."
ReplyDeleteSince he was the President Joint Chief of Staff he could qualify to be on the ballot since he was serving for the government
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ReplyDeleteI personally dont think that someone who doesnt live and hasnt lived in Chicago should be running for mayor. A person can hear about what goes on but when you arent living in the city you can experience it and wouldnt know what to do or how to control it. Washington is a completely different city than Chicago. Even if he lived in Chicago for a while things are constantly changing.
ReplyDeleteEmily Carton
I don't see how it would even be possible for him to run; if he doesn't meet all of the requirements then he is ineligible to run for mayor. We can't make exceptions for anyone, otherwise it defeats the purpose of having requirements in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAlex Kramer
I think that he should be allowed to be on the ballot because he lived in Chicago before going to D.C. and he only chose to leave for a job to work for the president. He obviously isn't totally out of the loop about what is going on in Chicago. And it's clear that a lot of people think he would be a good mayor.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he should be able to run. There's no way that he could have not known the requirements of the State. He can't just make a mistake like that when everyone else follows the rules.
ReplyDelete- Matt Clancy
Taking Rahm Emanuel off the ballad is a little extreme. He is by far the best man for the job and by doing this they will be settling for someone who is less then him when they can have the best. Especially for how dumb the reason is to take him out. Rahm Eman for mayor! FIGHT THE POWER!
ReplyDelete-Falk Face
Judging Rahm Emanuel's success simply by how long he has lived in Chicago is ineffective. If he can prove that he is knowledgeable about Chicago's economic and social issues and that he genuinely cares about reforming them and making a positive change, his name should appear on the ballot. The Illinois Appellate Court has neglected to follow the State Election Code that clearly provides for Emanuel's situation. It also probably didn't even look into his character before investigating how long he actually lived in the city.
ReplyDeleteMatt Porter
I think that Rahm Emanuel should not be on the ballot for mayor. Nobody is above the law, and I think it would say something if he were to be exempt from the law, especially because it is such a public matter.
ReplyDeleteAmy Drangines
Emanual should not be alowed to run for mayor of Chicago. He has lived in DC for the last couple years and is his new home as well as his residency. He does not meet requirements and should not be on the ballot, even if he would be best qualified for the job.
ReplyDeleteLaura Herchenbach
We interrupt this blog to wish the Business Law students of Carmel Catholic a wonderful Student Appreciation Day!
ReplyDeleteWe love our students!