Politics | Rahm Emanuel Rahm's Approval Rating: 19% And only 2% 'strongly approve' of Chicago mayor By Kevin Spak Posted Feb 22, 2013 1:15 PM CST Copied Rahm Emanuel closes his eyes during a news conference after the Chicago Teacher's Union House of Delegates voted to suspend their strike against the school system Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Maybe it's a good thing Rahm Emanuel is reportedly considering a presidential run—because he isn't doing so hot in Chicago. The mayor's approval rating has plummeted so far it's within spitting distance of Congress, according to a new Crain's/Ipsos poll, which showed only 19% of respondents approving of or even leaning toward approving of the job he's doing—and only 2% of Chicagoans strongly approving—while 50% at least lean toward disapproval. That's a big fall from September, when the public was roughly split, with 34% approving and 33% disapproving. Crain's speculates that Emanuel may be paying the price for butting heads with the Chicago Teachers Union. It also notes that he's doing better in Chicago proper than in suburban and downstate areas, giving him the opposite profile of predecessor Richard Daley. Read These Next Dilbert creator Scott Adams has died. GoFundMe for ICE agent in Minneapolis shooting gets a big donor. Actor accused of child sex abuse has turned himself in. Mike Lindell doesn't have to pay in 'prove me wrong' case. Report an error