Little-Acorn
Well-Known Member
Apparently Chicago has a law saying any candidate for Mayor has to have resided in the city for at least the calendar year prior to the election.
But, if a lack of eligibility didn't stop Obama from becoming President, why should it stop Emmanuel?
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Experts say Rahm Emanuel not a legal resident of city
October 4, 2010
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH
The first question isn't: Can Rahm win?
It's: Can Rahm run?
Sunday, Rahm Emanuel announced in a video posted on a website that he is preparing to run for mayor of Chicago. But two of Chicago's top election lawyers say the state's municipal code is crystal clear that a candidate for mayor must reside in the town for a year before the election.
That doesn't mean they must simply own a home in the city that they rent out to someone else. They must have a place they can walk into, keep a toothbrush, hang up their jacket and occasionally sleep, the lawyers say.
Another three election lawyers say Emanuel could be thrown off the ballot on a residency challenge. None says Emanuel will have it easy.
Today, Emanuel launches his "listening tour" of Chicago neighborhoods -- taking his message and open ears, he says, to Chicago's "grocery stores, L stops, bowling alleys and hot dog stands."
Though he was widely expected to run, Sunday's video was his first statement of his intentions since Mayor Daley announced he would not seek another term. Friday, Emanuel left Washington and his job as White House chief of staff.
Ironically, President Obama would have no problem coming back to Chicago to run for mayor because he never rented out his home and has come back to stay there on rare occasions. [Yes, folks, finally a public office Obama IS eligible for! -LA]
"He has a physical location that he owns and has exclusive right to live in," said attorney Jim Nally.
But Emanuel's problem as he prepares to run for mayor is that he rented out his house, and the tenant refuses to back out of the lease.
"The guy does not meet the statutory requirements to run for mayor," said attorney Burt Odelson. "He hasn't been back there in 18 months. Residency cases are usually very hard to prove because the candidate gets an apartment or says he's living in his mother's basement. Here the facts are easy to prove. He doesn't dispute he's been in Washington for the past 18 months. This is not a hard case."
But, if a lack of eligibility didn't stop Obama from becoming President, why should it stop Emmanuel?
---------------------------------------
Experts say Rahm Emanuel not a legal resident of city
October 4, 2010
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH
The first question isn't: Can Rahm win?
It's: Can Rahm run?
Sunday, Rahm Emanuel announced in a video posted on a website that he is preparing to run for mayor of Chicago. But two of Chicago's top election lawyers say the state's municipal code is crystal clear that a candidate for mayor must reside in the town for a year before the election.
That doesn't mean they must simply own a home in the city that they rent out to someone else. They must have a place they can walk into, keep a toothbrush, hang up their jacket and occasionally sleep, the lawyers say.
Another three election lawyers say Emanuel could be thrown off the ballot on a residency challenge. None says Emanuel will have it easy.
Today, Emanuel launches his "listening tour" of Chicago neighborhoods -- taking his message and open ears, he says, to Chicago's "grocery stores, L stops, bowling alleys and hot dog stands."
Though he was widely expected to run, Sunday's video was his first statement of his intentions since Mayor Daley announced he would not seek another term. Friday, Emanuel left Washington and his job as White House chief of staff.
Ironically, President Obama would have no problem coming back to Chicago to run for mayor because he never rented out his home and has come back to stay there on rare occasions. [Yes, folks, finally a public office Obama IS eligible for! -LA]
"He has a physical location that he owns and has exclusive right to live in," said attorney Jim Nally.
But Emanuel's problem as he prepares to run for mayor is that he rented out his house, and the tenant refuses to back out of the lease.
"The guy does not meet the statutory requirements to run for mayor," said attorney Burt Odelson. "He hasn't been back there in 18 months. Residency cases are usually very hard to prove because the candidate gets an apartment or says he's living in his mother's basement. Here the facts are easy to prove. He doesn't dispute he's been in Washington for the past 18 months. This is not a hard case."
