![Rahm_emanuelx390](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/rahm-emanuelx390.jpg?id=32718415&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Illinois court of appeals ruled Monday morning that former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel does not meet Chicago residency requirements and is therefore not eligible to run for mayor, the Chicago Tribune reports, but Emanuel says he will appeal the ruling to the state supreme court and believes he'll prevail.
The ruling overturns a December decision by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners that Emanuel had not forfeited his Chicago residency when he went to Washington, D.C., to work for President Obama in 2009. Two out of three judges on an appeals court panel, however, said he did not meet the requirement of living in Chicago for a year before the election, which will be in February. He resigned from his White House post in October.
At a press conference Monday afternoon in Chicago, Emanuel said, "I still own a home here, look forward to moving into it one day, vote from here, pay property taxes here. I do believe the people of the city of Chicago deserve a right to make a decision about who they want to be their next mayor." He said he will appeal the ruling "to the next level to get clarity" and has "no doubt at the end we'll prevail in this effort." He added that he would seek an injunction of the appellate court's decision so his name would remain on the ballot.
Emanuel has both supporters and detractors among Chicago's large and politically active gay population. He and other candidates, including former U.S. senator Carol Moseley Braun, former Chicago schools chief Gery Chico, and city clerk Miguel Del Valle, have courted the gay vote.
Some gay activists have doubts about Emanuel because they believe he encouraged Obama to go slowly in addressing LGBT issues and because of his record as an aide to President Clinton during the enactment of the Defense of Marriage Act and "don't ask, don't tell." Supporters point to his pro-gay record as a three-term congressman and his work for Obama's gay-friendly initiatives, including an order to allow hospital visitation by patients' same-sex partners.
The nonpartisan election to replace retiring mayor Richard M. Daley will be February 22, with a runoff April 5 if no candidate wins a majority. A recent poll by the Tribune and broadcaster WGN showed Emanuel in the lead, with 44% favoring him for mayor, 21% for Braun, 16% for Chico, 7% for Del Valle, and the remainder either undecided or supporting various lesser-known candidates.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM