Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the House Democratic Caucus chair, has accepted the position of chief of staff in the new administration, Politico reported first. Emanuel previously served in the Clinton administration, where he earned both respect and notoriety.

First elected to the House in his northern Chicago district in 2002, Emanuel took over the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in January 2005 and successfully led the party's overtaking of the House in November 2006. His success led him to run unchallenged for the caucus chairmanship, just four years after entering Congress, and he appeared in line to one day serve as House speaker.

Illinois now has two vacancies in its congressional delegation: Obama's Senate seat and Emanuel's 5th District seat. The governor, Democrat Rod Blagojevich, is now charged with appointing a successor to Obama and selecting a special election date to fill the empty House seat.