Emanuel's Chicago cred challenged

CHICAGO, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A Chicago lawyer says Rahm Emanuel's tenure as White House chief of staff isn't the type of national service that meets the residency requirement to be mayor.

"Service to the United States is when you're in the military," attorney Burt Odelson told the Chicago Tribune. "It's not when you're in service to the president of the United States."

Odelson has filed a legal challenge to Emanuel's candidacy on the grounds he did not legally reside in Chicago for a year prior to the February election as required by city ordinance.

Although Chicago does not specify the requirements of residency, Odelson told the Chicago Tribune it is pretty self-explanatory that it means the candidate must have a home in the city that he or she resides in regularly.

The newspaper said Emanuel is expected to argue that the laws make exceptions for national service that takes people out of the city for extended periods; however, Odelson says national service has a narrow definition that doesn't include being a top presidential adviser in Washington.

Odelson said he was not representing any of Emanuel's rivals for the mayor's office, but added, "I would dare say all the candidates are motivated to see this happen."