Comptroller Dan Hynes endorsed Rahm Emanuel for Chicago mayor on Thursday. Hynes vouching for Emanuel is helpful in Hynes' native Southwest Side as well as on his adopted North Side. Hynes, who grew up in the 19th Ward, will stump for Emanuel on the South and Southwest sides on Saturday.

Hynes is a big name in Illinois politics. He ran for governor in the February Democratic primary and for Senator in the 2004 Senate primary President Obama won. Hynes' brother, Matt, is a paid Emanuel campaign advisor.

Hynes statement:

"The challenges facing the city of Chicago are great, and Rahm Emanuel is the candidate with the strength, experience and determination to meet them," said Hynes. "Throughout his career, Rahm has fought tirelessly on behalf of average Chicagoans and Americans, whether it was taking on the NRA to prevent criminals from obtaining guns or taking on the federal bureaucracy to make it easier for college students to apply for financial aid. His plans to make our streets safe, our schools strong, and our city finances stable are what Chicago needs at this critical time."

Rahm is honored by the Comptroller's endorsement. "Comptroller Hynes has been a constant check on mismanagement in Illinois government, as the architect of the ban on pay-to-play and an advocate for government transparency and fiscal responsibility. I am honored to have his support as I work to bring greater accountability to city government and end business as usual in Chicago."

Hynes will join Rahm for campaign events on the South and Southwest sides on Saturday.