Former Governor Thompson Backs Emanuel On Ballot
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- A former Republican Illinois governor and two former state attorneys general are weighing in on the Rahm Emanuel residency case.
Former Governor James Thompson and attorneys general Tyrone Fahner and James Ryan, who are all Republicans, have signed a letter published in the State Journal Register in Springfield urging the state Supreme Court to allow Emanuel's name to go back on Chicago's mayoral ballot.
Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, who represented George Ryan at the former GOP governor's corruption trial, also signed the letter.
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"Illinois has a proud history of public servants who leave the state to serve the federal government," they wrote. "Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama are the two most obvious examples. But there are many others
"For 144 years, Illinois law has been clear: a resident who leaves the state temporarily with an intent to return does not lose his status as a resident.
"We fear that the appellate court's decision has the perverse effect of punishing Mr. Emanuel for his service to our country. And we hope that the Illinois Supreme Court will correct this error."
An appellate court ruled earlier this week that Emanuel did not meet residency requirements to run for mayor.
Many observers expect the high court to issue a ruling before the end of the week.
