Rahm Emanuel can run for mayor of Chicago. The Illinois Supreme Court unanimously ruled today that Emanuel is eligible, overturning an appellate court decision, and ending months of legal back-and-forth.
In the decision, the higher court offered this criticism: “the novel standard adopted by the appellate court majority is without any foundation in Illinois law.”
On Monday, the lower court said Emanuel did not meet the residency requirement to run for mayor. The ex-Congressman and former White House Chief of Staff owns a home on the city’s North Side. But he had rented it out to a man who refused to move out last year, after Mayor Richard Daley announced he would not seek re-election.
Emanuel quickly filed an appeal of the appellate court ruling, calling it “one of the most far-reaching election law rulings ever to be issued by an Illinois court.” Chicago Election Board Chairman Langdon Neal told reporters that early ballots would begin to be printed without Emanuel’s name, but the Supreme Court issued a stay of the lower court’s decision, ordering Emanuel’s name back onto the ballot until the issue was resolved.
[TPM SLIDESHOW: So Rahm, Farewell]
Early voting starts Jan. 31, and election day is Feb. 22. According to The Chicago Tribune, Emanuel holds a wide lead in fundraising and in a Tribune poll.
Read the decision:
Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpoitnsmemo.com
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