An Illinois appeals court reversed a previous ruling by a Cook county circuit judge and the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners allowing former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to run for mayor. Emanuel has the backing of the Daley political machine, so a further appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court is most likely on the question of Emanuel's residency in Chicago. Unlike Obama, who has kept his Chicago home, Emanuel rented out his north side Chicago home during his tenure in the White House. His tenants renewed their lease just prior to Mayor Daley's announcement he would not seek reelection. State municipal law requires candidates for mayor to reside in the town for a year prior to Election Day. The 2-1 decision was a surprise to Rahm supporters. Speculation is that Gery Chico would gain the support of Daley aldermen if Emanuel is kept off the ballot. Chico has so far refused to address the issue of his opponents' residency in his campaign. Emanuel has raised the most money and attracted out of state support from Democratic corporatists such as Bill Clinton who recently urged Chicagoans at a rally to vote for a "big time" mayor.