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Rahm Emanuel Ruled Ineligible for Chicago Mayoral Race

*Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral campaign was derailed – at least temporarily – Monday by an Illinois Appellate Court ruling that he does not meet the one-year residency requirement.

The former White House chief of staff, who left that job in October to run for mayor in his hometown, will appeal the 2-1 ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Quick action is likely: The non-partisan election is Feb. 22; early voting begins Jan. 31. The winner will replace Mayor Richard Daley, who is retiring.

“I have no doubt that we will in the end prevail at this effort,” Emanuel said. He called the ruling “just one turn in the road.”

Burt Odelson, who represents two Chicagoans seeking to remove Emanuel from the ballot, likes his chances in the Supreme Court, where he says the law will be the core issue, not Emanuel’s stature.

“What’s at stake is one of the highest offices in the United States, not who this is … and his ability to raise money,” Odelson says.

Emanuel has outpaced his rivals in support and cash. He announced last week that he has raised more than $10 million and a Chicago Tribune/WGN Poll found that 44% of registered voters supported him. If no candidate gets 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff election in April.

The poll found that 21% supported former U.S. senator Carol Moseley Braun, 16% backed former school board president Gery Chico and 7% backed City Clerk Miguel del Valle.