Illinois Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal of Emanuel ballot decision

The Illinois Supreme Court said Tuesday it would hear Rahm Emanuel’s appeal of a court ruling that booted him off the Chicago mayor’s ballot.

On Monday, the state Appellate Court overturned a lower court’s ruling that said the former White House chief of staff met Chicago’s residency requirements to run for mayor. Lawyers for Emanuel’s mayoral campaign filed a stay motion and then an appeal petition to the Illinois Supreme Court, hoping the latter would agree to hear the case.

{mosads}The court’s decision to do so is a much-needed victory for Emanuel, whose biggest obstacle to date has been a challenge to his residency.

To run for mayor a candidate must have lived in Chicago for one year prior to Election Day. Critics of Emanuel contend he is not a resident of Chicago because he was serving in Washington until late last year as President Obama’s chief of staff in Washington.

Early voting begins Monday, and the election is Feb. 22.

The court also granted Emanuel’s request to stay the appellate court’s decision, meaning ballots can be printed with his name while the appeal is being heard.

“The Board of Elections is directed that if any ballots are printed while this Court is considering this case, the ballots should include the name of petitioner Rahm Emanuel as a candidate for Mayor of the City of Chicago,” the Supreme Court’s order reads.

Read the Illinois Supreme Court’s announcement here.