Rahm Emanuel Mayoral Challenge: Key Decisions Coming Today

Rahm Emanuel is without a doubt the leading candidate in the Chicago mayoral race. With a massive fundraising advantage and major political expertise at his back, Emanuel will have an edge on the other candidates going into February 22nd.

Unless, of course, he doesn't make it on the ballot.

Since announcing his candidacy for mayor, Emanuel has faced persistent challenges over his eligibility to run, specifically centered around the requirement that candidates reside in Chicago for one year prior to the election.

Election lawyer Burt Odelson has led the movement to end Rahm's candidacy. He argues that since Emanuel was in D.C. serving as the President's Chief of Staff, he doesn't meet the residency requirement. "Go to Webster's dictionary, look up resident, and tell me that's Rahm," Odelson has said. "The law is really quite simple."

Odelson filed an official challenge to Rahm's candidacy, and is now preparing for a hearing before the Board of Elections. Today, his case faces its first major test, as a decision will come down from the Board on what evidence should be presented.

WBEZ has more:

[Odelson] wants to call the couple who rented out Emanuel's house, plus real estate brokers involved in the deal and Emanuel's wife. Odelson is also requesting loads of documents from the candidate including tax returns, his kid's school applications and utility bills.

The decision on which witnesses and what evidence will be allowed falls to the hearing officer, Joseph A. Morris.

The decision will be a good barometer of exactly how seriously the Board plans to take Odelson's challenge. But either way, the issue isn't likely to be fully resolved for weeks.