The man chosen by Rod Blagojevich to take over Barack Obama's senate seat now wants to be mayor of Chicago. Short term Senator Roland Burris is one of twenty people who've filed paperwork to get on the city's ballot. Richard Daley, who held the job since 1989, is retiring at the end of his term. The battle to replace him is already turning ugly.

 While former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is expected to be a frontrunner, Emanuel's tenant, industrial real estate developer Rob Halpin, has also thrown his hat in the ring. "My vision for Chicago is to create jobs through the development of industrial parks" says Halpin. (read more)

Could White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel be the next mayor of Chicago?  It depends on who you ask, or which poll you believe.  President Obama says "I think he would be an excellent mayor", but it seems he'd be in for an uphill battle.  

  Chicago's current mayor, Richard Daley, announced that after 21 years in office, he's not running again.  Since then, a lot of speculative hats have been thrown into the ring...at least by pundits predicting who will enter the race for the city's top spot.  Emanuel has indicated he's interested.

  And while some in Washington may support Emanuel, they won't be the ones voting.  A new poll by the Chicago Sun Times of potential voters shows competition would be fierce.  Among nine of the expected top contenders, Emanuel comes in 5th, with just 7%.  Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr comes in 4th with 8%.  (read more)

Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley, left reporters speechless today, if only for a few seconds, after making a surprise announcement that he will not seek re-election in February 2011. Mayor Daley's decision to retire from City Hall opened the flood gates of speculation for who will be on the ballot to replace him in 2011. Keep in mind, this will be the first open Chicago Mayoral election since 1947, where an incumbent has not run for Mayor of Chicago. That's 64 years!

Candidates interested in Chicago's top job will have to follow the rules set by the Chicago Board of Elections.

*Nov 15 2010 is first day candidates can file for the mayoral race. Deadline to file is Nov 22, 2010

*All candidates are required to file petitions with at least 12,500 signatures from city  residents who are registered voters with a valid address.  Candidates are not eligible to file if they have a prior felony conviction, have debts or other financial obligations to the city, including outstanding parking tickets or unpaid water bills.

*All candidates are required to live in city of Chicago for at least the last calendar year. (read more)

After 21 years in office, Chicago's mayor Richard Daley says he will not seek a 7th term. "Its time for me, its time for Chicago to move on".

The 68 year old Daley called a press conference today, with wife Maggie and their children by his side, and told a stunned audience that he was done running the City of Big Shoulders, that it was due to "personal reasons".

Speculation is now running rampant about who will take over Chicago's top job. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has said he has "dreams" of being the Mayor of Chicago.  When told about the mayor's announcement today though, Emanuel would only say "While Mayor Daley surprised me today with his decision to not run for re-election, I have never been surprised by his leaderhip, dedication and tireless work on behalf of the city and the people of Chicago."

Critics say the mayor's poll numbers are down, crime is up and the city's battling a bad economy, which might have helped influence Daley's decision. (read more)