Rahm Emanuel launches political operation: "New Chicago Committee"

Mayor elect Rahm Emanuel is creating a political action committee, called the “New Chicago Committee,” to bankroll his political operation which will include raising money and donating to other candidates–from aldermanic on up–and causes.

Emanuel Deputy Campaign Manager Tom Bowen–who managed Forrest Claypool’s independent Cook County Assesors race–and Alexi Giannoulias’ Senate Democratic primary–will helm the New Chicago Committee.

The New Chicago Committee is modeled on House and Senate members “leadership” political action committees. While a House member, Emanuel ran a leadership PAC, “Our Common Values” PAC; with most donations to help Democratic House candidates.

This is the fourth fund-raising committee Emanuel has created since he returned to Chicago in October. They are:

1. Chicago for Rahm, the Emanuel mayoral campaign

2. The Emanuel transition committee, funding for which will likely come from Chicago’s non-profit foundation community. Official name: Chicago 2011 Transition Committee, a not-for-profit corporation. Papers to create the transition committee were filed with the Illinois Secretary of State on March 2.

3. The Emanuel inauguration committee, which will be raising money from donors. Official name: Chicago 2011 Inaugural Committee, a not-for-profit corporation. Papers to create the inaugural committee were filed with the Illinois Secretary of State on March 2.

4. The New Chicago Committee, Emanuel’s political action committee which will bankroll his political operation.