Joseph Morris, who presided at the three-day hearing on the objections to Emanuel’s candidacy last week, had been expected to turn in his written recommendation Tuesday. The report could be completed by mid-day Wednesday, Allen said.
That would allow the three-member Board of Election Commissioners to stick to its original plan to consider Morris’ recommendation at its meeting Thursday morning.
But the board’s decision is unlikely to be the final word, with the losing side almost certain to challenge that ruling in the state court system.
The case could wind up before the Illinois Supreme Court, whose justices include Anne Burke, the wife of powerful Ald. Edward Burke (14th Ward). The Chicago News Cooperative reported last month that operatives loyal to Burke were working for the mayoral campaign of Gery Chico.
Also Tuesday, election board officials said they would make Morris’ report available to the public immediately after he files it. That marked a change from the board’s original position, which was to share the report only with the parties in the case and not make it publicly available until the next board meeting on Thursday.
The parties in the case include about 30 objectors who argue that Emanuel should not be allowed to run because he did not live in the city long enough before becoming a candidate to succeed retiring Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Emanuel took the stand in his defense last week, telling Morris and the objectors that he always intended to return to Chicago after serving as chief of staff to President Barack Obama. He resigned on Oct. 1 and launched his mayoral run, but lawyer Burton Odelson and other critics say he should have been physically present in the city for at least a year to be eligible to appear on the Feb. 22 ballot.
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