... I'm sure there is some kind of brokered exit deal with his successor picked for the Chicago D machine to elect,...
Can't help but wonder if the mid-term results might play into this. I'm not familiar enough with who's running over there, but if there is a long-serving representative who gets re-elected, then promptly retires, that might be a fitting place for Rahm to land - from their perspective.
He could then leverage his national connections better.