5 petitions challenge Emanuel’s Chicago mayor run

CHICAGO (AP) — Five Chicago residents have filed petitions seeking to push mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel off the February ballot by challenging his status as a city resident.

A sixth challenge is expected Friday from Chicago election attorney Burt Odelson.

Odelson says he’s filing on behalf of several “objectors” he wouldn’t name.

Odelson and others say Emanuel isn’t eligible to run for Chicago mayor because he hasn’t lived in the city for at least a year prior to the election.

Emanuel still owns a home in Chicago but rented it out when he moved to Washington to become President Barack Obama’s chief of staff two years ago.

Emanuel is scheduled to address the challenges in a conference call with reporters today.

The challenges have been filed with the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.