Cecil Adams wields his logic knife1, and slices, dices the controversy about Rahm Emanuel’s residency.
[Rahm Emanuel’s residency] is the most ridiculous controversy to come down the pike in, oh, a good two months. For example, John Kass writes [in his basement, probably]:
I appreciate and respect Rahm. Sure, he’s profane, but so am I when I’m not typing, and he’s got a great sense of humor. And I believe he should be on the ballot.
Still, there’s that nagging issue. It’s called the law.
Please, spare me the melodrama. While wacky things have been known to happen in Illinois courts, under any reasonable reading the law squarely favors Rahm.
(click to continue reading Straight Dope Chicago: Does Rahm meet the residency requirements to run for mayor?.)
and the main reason Rahm has residency, as Cecil Adams see it:
Chapter 36, Section 3.2(a) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes includes the following provision:
A permanent abode is necessary to constitute a residence within the meaning of Section 3-1 [which says who’s allowed to vote in Illinois]. No elector or spouse shall be deemed to have lost his or her residence in any precinct or election district in this State by reason of his or her absence on business of the United States, or of this State.
…
Nonetheless, it seems clear the Illinois election code is meant to cover similar situations: if you go to work at the White House, or become an ambassador, or perform some comparable public service, you retain your state residency during your absence. It’s not necessary to delve into who’s currently renting your house or any other such nonsense.
(click to continue reading Straight Dope Chicago: Does Rahm meet the residency requirements to run for mayor?.)
Seems pretty straightforward to me, especially since the main people raising objections seem to have solely political motivations.
Footnotes:- whatever that is, I assume my metaphor is not so obscure as to be confusing. I’ll admit to needing more coffee [↩]