Rahm Emanuel allowed to stand for Chicago mayor

Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's former chief of staff at the White House, will be allowed to stand for mayor of Chicago after the Illinois supreme court overturned an earlier ruling that he was ineligible under residency requirements. The decision of the highest court in the state clears the way for the famously straight-talking Chicagoan to press ahead with his bid to run the third most populous city in the US. There was jubilation at his campaign headquarters, and the candidate received a call on Thursday night from President Obama. The ruling comes not before time for Emanuel: early voting for the mayor's position opens on Monday, and the vote itself is on 22 February.

Stephen Lendman: Chicago's Mayoral Race: Rahm Emanuel's Eligibility At Issue