U.S. mayors back Chicago Olympic bid

LOS ANGELES, June 26 (UPI) -- The 75th annual U.S. Conference of Mayors has thrown its support behind Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Earlier this year, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco each had campaigns to woo the International Olympic Committee. San Francisco later dropped out.

At the conference that wrapped up Tuesday, host Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles called for unity in supporting Chicago's bid, and got it, Crain's Chicago Business reported.

In a news release, Villaraigosa said the resolution was "a clear sign of the unwavering, bipartisan support for Chicago's bid."

The IOC is expected to make its decision in 2009 from the likes of Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo.