Hearing Officer: Let Rahm Run For Mayor

The Chicago Sun Times ^ | December 23, 2010 | Fran Spielman and Abdon M. Pallasch

[PBRCat]

Burt Odelson, the main attorney for the objectors, said he always expected he would have to win the case in court.

“I expected more of a hearing officer regarding the decision but it was not unexpected. We will have to get into court system to prevail where there is no fear of repercussions.”

State law requires mayoral candidates to “have resided” in the city for the year prior to Election Day. The only exception is for active-duty members of the military.

Odelson has argued that Emanuel gave up his residency when he rented out his house and that his “intent” to return to Chicago does not suffice. He argues that the law requires “physical presence” in the city for year preceding the Feb. 22 election.

Odelson said he would appeal if, as expected, the three-member election board affirms Morris’ ruling.

[PBRCat]

While not unexpected, the hearing officer's report was as weak as water. The only Illinois case citation listed as supporting Emanuel's residency assertion dated back to the Johnson administration... Abraham Lincoln's presidential successor Andrew Johnson. Watch for the case to be taken up on judicial review within the week.

[Doogle]

wonder how much it cost him

[cripplecreek]

Check cleared OK.

[anniegetyourgun]

Paying off judicial officials is definitely giong to eat into his campaign coffers, however, I’m sure he’ll be just fine.

[crazyhorse691]

I do not think that Rahm will neither forgive nor forget those that stand in his way...Al Capone would have been so proud.

[PBRCat]

The Chicago Tribune has put the entire report issued by the hearing officer online, but it was awfully dull reading. It may not be worth your time.

Rahm’s intent to return trumped the fact that for fourteen months he had nowhere to live in the city of Chicago.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You overlooked the fact that he stored his old clothes and a bowling ball in a closet of the home he rented out...

[edcoil]

“The law requires...”

Right there tells you they lost. The left makes up the law as they need not what it is.

[Mr. K]

Does anyone in that town even WANT him to run for mayor?

Or does that not matter? (elections are only a formality there anyway)

[BAW]

Judge paid off - check.
Unions paid off - check
Registrar of voters paid off - check.

Start planning the swearing in ceremony.

[Ouderkirk]

It would be fun to see Rahm run, and lose. The schadenfreude would be worth it, but it’s not worth the risk. Let the rule of law prevail and Rahm is out.

[biff]

He will run but I think he will lose. I do not believe Chicago will elect a jew hating jew when they have white hating blacks running for the office.

He will be done for. My only question then is where in the hell will he pop up next? He is just like the slimiest, scummiest, nasty leech that you just can’t get your hand on in order to squash.

[onedoug]

Rahm will do whatever he wants. He is elite. He´s been to Man Country. He´s been soetoroed.

[catnipman]

“Morris accepted Emanuel’s argument that it was not his burden to prove he had established residency but rather the burden of objectors to prove he had “abandoned” his Chicago residency”

Wow, now there’s an interesting standard. It’s always kind of tough to prove a negative, anyway. Wonder if the Illinois Supreme Court will go along with that?

[Dengar01]

For all you non-Chicagoans, I don't see how Rahm can win UNLESS all the black politicians running (Braun, Davis and Meeks) don't pull out and split the black vote amongst the three.

If it is say Rahm vs. only ONE black candidate the black candidate will win because the black vote takes the cake in this city.

I guess if Rahm said his parents were illegal aliens from Mexico he could win that voter block but we still don't know the illegal population of Chicago other than I don't recommend any tourists going to the west side of Chicago, you will think you are in Juarez with bullet holes and all.

[itsahoot]

I am Shocked

[Liz]

The revealing statement here is that Emanuel checked the box "part-year resident" in his original 2009 Illinois tax return (now amended). Rahm checked that off truthfully b/c, in his deluded power-crazed mind, he wasn't going back to Chicago for a long, long time.

Then Obama's numbers started diving as the Tea Party ascended. Rahm was given the bum's rush out of Washington before Midterms----as disaster loomed---in hopes of saving a few Dem seats. Rahm committed the ultimate crime---he failed to protect Obama from voters' revenge.

Now out of power---Rahm desperately needed to show he was still a player---thus the mayoral run.

SO HOW'S THE LITTLE SUCKER GONNA WIN? Easy. Candidate Rahm is gonna get on his knees, pucker up, and fellate all the hyphenates in exchange for votes.