Former Ald. Bob Shaw To Run For Mayor

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Former Chicago alderman and Cook County tax board commissioner Bob Shaw plans to run against Mayor Rahm Emanuel in next year's election.

A spokesperson confirmed Shaw, a veteran Chicago-area politician who has been living in South Holland for more than a decade, will run for mayor of Chicago next year. The spokesperson said Shaw has moved back to Chicago.

Shaw, 77, becomes the first person to announce a bid to unseat Emanuel in 2015.

According to news reports, Shaw cited Emanuel's decision to close dozens of Chicago Public Schools and his ongoing efforts to scale back city worker pension costs as reasons for his decision to challenge the mayor.

Shaw also said he's not worried about the huge financial advantage Emanuel would have against him in the race for mayor, saying money is used to get name recognition, which he already has.

Shaw has been out of public life since 2004, when he lost his bid for re-election to the Cook County Board of Review, which hears property tax appeals. He lost a bid for Cook County Assessor in 2010.

His late twin brother, Bill Shaw, was mayor of south suburban Dolton for 11 years before his death in 2008. In 2006, Bill Shaw appointed his brother as the town's inspector general, a post tasked with rooting out corruption, prompting accusations of cronyism.