Chicago alderman, mayor-elect in council battle

The man Rahm Emanuel has said he may want to ease out of a leadership post in Chicago's City Council says he will not automatically oppose the mayor-elect's agenda.

Alderman Edward Burke says he will use some of his $8 million campaign war chest to back candidates in the April 5 aldermanic run-offs. But he says he is not trying to gather 26 votes to oppose Emanuel.

Emanuel has also formed a political action committee to raise money to support aldermanic candidates who back his agenda.

Emanuel made a pre-election threat to re-organize the City Council. He also expressed a desire to strip Burke of his police bodyguards and, possibly, his Finance Committee chairmanship.

Burke has indicated a determination to remain chairman of the powerful committee.