Ill. High Court: Rahm Can Run

The Illinois supreme court has cleared former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to stay on the ballot in the Chicago mayoral race, theChicago Tribunereports.

The state appeals court ruled Monday that Emanuel did not meet residency requirements and therefore could not run for mayor, but the supreme stayed that decision Tuesday and overturned it today, meaning he will definitely be on the ballot for the February 22 vote.

Emanuel and other major candidates -- former U.S. senator Carol Moseley Braun, onetime public schools chief Gery Chico, and city clerk Miguel del Valle -- have all sought the support of LGBT Chicagoans. Emanuel has drawn both praise and criticism from gay activists for his work in President Obama's and President Clinton's administrations.

If no one wins a majority in the February 22 election, there will be a runoff April 5. Richard M. Daley, a strong gay ally who has been mayor since 1989, is not seeking reelection.