Rahm Emanuel’s return to Chicago means a big name is back in city politics.

If Emanuel launches a formal campaign for mayor, he’ll likely be one of the two candidates with the closest ties to retiring Mayor Richard Daley. The other is lawyer Gery Chico.

CHICO: It’s good for Rahm to come back.

That said, Chico mocked Emanuel, who’s expected to go on a listening tour around Chicago prior to a campaign announcement.

CHICO: I think to go on a listening tour is not what Gery Chico needs to do. I think what Rahm’s going to find on that listening tour is a lot of things that’ve been done well by me, and others who worked with me.

Chico is touting his resume and ties to Mayor Daley. He’s served as the mayor’s chief of staff, head of the Chicago Board of Education, park district and - now - the city colleges.

Emanuel worked in the past as a campaign aide to Daley, before working in the Clinton White House and serving as a member of Congress.