Mayor Emanuel drops Willie Wilson petition challenge

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel has dropped his challenge of petitions by Willie Wilson to run against him for mayor.

Emanuel's re-election campaign had claimed that 80 percent of Wilson's signatures were fake or duplicates or had other irregularities.

Wednesday night, Wilson calls Emanuel's back-down a good Christmas gift.

"I pledge to all citizens today that this is a good, good Christmas present," Wilson said. "Hold me accountable for whatever I do, just like the citizens hold this mayor accountable for what he has done."

Tuesday, Wilson announced he now has more than 13,000 valid signatures, about 500 more than he needed.