Court: Emanuel ineligible for mayor's race

Rahm Emanuel, a former congressman and top member of President Barack Obama’s administration, was declared ineligible to run for mayor of Chicago by an appellate court today.

The court ruled 2-1 that Emanuel — who left Chicago to work for Obama in Washington, D.C., but continued to vote and own a residence in Chicago — does not meet the residency requirements to appear on the ballot in the February 22 election.

Emanuel is the front runner — over opponents Carol Moseley Braun, Gery Chico, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins and William Walls — in recent polls, as well as campaign fund raising. He told reporters he plans to appeal the decision to the Illinois Supreme Court.