A homeless sex offender--who can't be found--signed off as a petition passer for two Chicago mayoral candidates--state Sen. James Meeks and Rob Halpin, the man who rented out mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel's Chicago home. Halpin, in a surprise move, filed to run for mayor, in a candidacy where he clearly is a put up contender. Halpin has no real campaign, staff, fund-raising program or agenda--except, it seems, to be a spoiler for Emanuel. Getting on the Chicago ballot is not easy--12,500 valid signatures from registered Chicago voters are needed.

Chicago Sun-Times Wednesday story on Halpin, Meeks petition problems is here.
Excerpt: "A notary public says her signature was forged on 400-plus nominating petition sheets filed by Chicago mayoral hopefuls Rob Halpin and James Meeks -- a development that raises new questions for the supposedly rival candidates.

"A signature and notary seal for Maricela Rodriguez appear on more than 25 percent of Halpin's 1,185 petitions, including 266 circulated by a homeless sex offender, Arthur J. Hardy Jr."

Chicago Sun-Times Tuesday story about homeless sex offender circulating petitions for Meeks, Halpin is here.