Evanston Resident Behind @MayorEmanuel Twitter

In the weeks leading up to the recent Chicago mayoral election, the Internet was buzzing about the true identity of @MayorEmanuel, a Twitter account parodying Rahm Emanuel.

Turns out the account was started right here in Evanston. It was the work of local writer, journalist, professor, and now Twitter-celebrity Dan Sinker.

The account chronicles Emanuel's campaign and was started in September. The last update was made shortly after he won the election.

In the tweets, "Emanuel" writes about his name getting taken off the ballot ("Motherf**king s**t f**king f**k sh***ers. What the f***ing f**k motherf***ing happened?!"), preparing for the debate ("F**K THE DEBATE, LET'S HOLD THE MOTHERF***ING ELECTION RIGHT F***ING NOW."), and everything in between ("The motherf****ing Healthcare law is ruled un-f***ing-constitutional? F**k this motherf***ing bulls**t.")

(Unlike both the fake and real Emanuels, who are known for their foul mouths, Patch modified the language for publication.)

News of the account eventually got to the real Emanuel, who offered  the anonymous tweeter $5,000 to the charity of his choice to identify himself.

Sinker came out Monday to "The Atlantic." He told author Alexis Madrigal that he doesn't remember why he decided to start the account. 

"I remember I was at home. I think everyone had gone to bed. And I remembered, 'Oh, I have that account. This might be kind of funny,'" he said.

After the article hit the Internet, Sinker simply tweeted a link to the Bee Gees song "I Started a Joke."

Evanston Patch has reached out to Sinker, who is currently being hounded by the media ("Every TV station in Chicago is currently outside," he tweeted Monday afternoon). We will post any updates as soon as they are available.