Emanuel Appears for Evidentiary Hearing

Thelma Sardin |

CHICAGO On Tuesday, Rahm Emanuel appeared before the Chicago Board of Elections for an evidentiary hearing. Emanuel's attorneys released hundreds of documents ahead of the hearing where the former White House chief of staff testified about whether he's eligible to run for mayor. Those documents included Emanuel's birth certificate from a Chicago hospital, bills and tax returns. Because the hearing was only moving to the evidentiary stage, the Chicago Board of Elections declined to comment.

Emanuel is trying to fend off challenges that he isn't eligible to run for mayor because he hasn't been a resident for a year. He lived in Washington while working for President Barack Obama and returned to Chicago in October after Mayor Richard Daley said he wouldn't seek a seventh term.

The documents released before the hearing also included emails between Emanuel's wife, Amy Rule, and a real estate agent who helped the couple lease their house. One email from Rule insists that there's no option for anyone to purchase the house.

Emanuels campaign spokesman, Ben LaBolt, told the Citizen that he could not share information about the hearing because it was expected to run into Wednesday. LaBolt, however, outlined the facts surrounding Emanuels residency.

Rahm has owned a house in Chicago since 1998. His car is registered in Chicago, he is registered to vote in Chicago, and he pays property and income taxes in Chicago. The only reason he left Chicago is to serve President Obama. And Illinois law is clear that he didn't lose his residency: he was always clear that he would return to Chicago once his service to the President was complete, LaBolt stated. He continued, Rahm believes that voters should have the right to vote for or against him. And he believes that they will make their decision based on who they view as the best candidate to address the challenges facing the city -- the need for safe streets, strong schools, and stable city finances -- and not be diverted by political sideshows.

In response to reports that Emanuel changed his residency status on his 2009 tax return, LaBolt explained, DC law requires payment of DC income tax by individuals present in DC for 183 or more days even if they are residents of another state. Rahms tax return makes clear that he always remained a Chicago resident and continued to pay income taxes in Chicago in 2010, in addition to property taxes, maintaining car and voter registration in Chicago and being clear that he intended to return to Chicago once his service to President Obama was complete. Rahm's accountant prepared the 09 tax return, LaBolt said. When Rahm became aware of the mistake he corrected it, he added in an email to the Citizen.

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