Alexi Giannoulias is NOT running for Chicago mayor--despite some aldermen trying to woo the Illinois Democratic Senate nominee who lost to Republican Mark Kirk into the contest as part of their scheming to stop mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel.

Ginnoulias spokesman Kathleen Strand said in a statement issued on Friday: "To put all rumors to rest, before they get out of hand, Alexi is not running for Mayor. He didn't get into public service to just run for office. He believes in public service, and his plans are to faithfully serve out the remainder of his term as Treasurer and then pursue other opportunities. Alexi loves this City and will provide whatever assistance he can now or in the future to Mayor Daley, the City Council and the next Mayor."

On Thursday I reported how Giannoulias was going to meet Friday with some anti-Emanuel aldermen to at least hear them out and learn more about a poll commissioned by a labor union not enamored with the notion of a Mayor Emanuel.

State Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) make their bids official on Sunday. Attorney Gery Chico and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun are also running in the Feb. 22 non-partisan mayoral primary. Candidates need to file 12,500 valid signatures by Nov. 22 to get on the ballot so as a practical matter, anyone not in by now--is probably not really in at all. If no one gets more than 50 percent of the vote on Feb. 22, the top two finishers face an April 5 run-off.