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Subscribe to RSSOnce a rising star, the Representative has not been seen in Congress since early June. Friends and colleagues say Jackson was being treated for alcoholism at a facility in Arizona. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s month-long leave of absence from Congress due to undisclosed health problems has prompted pleas from colleagues and constituents for the 47-year-old Democrat to reveal his illness.
His colleagues and friends reported that he was going through treatment for alcoholism, NBC News' Andrea Mitchell reported, although his wife tweeted NBC Chicago, saying that her husband is not in rehab.
Jackson's father, civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., told a Chicago television station on Wednesday that it would be inappropriate to provide more information about his son's condition. He would only say that he was regaining strength and "going through a tremendous challenge."
Fellow Illinois Democrats said the lawmaker owed an explanation to voters in his South Side district in Chicago. He is up for re-election to a 10th term in the November 6 election.
"As a public official ... there reaches a point when you have a responsibility to tell people what you're facing and how things are going," Senator Dick Durbin said this week.
The Illinois Democrat is facing mounting pressure from fellow lawmakers to clarify the nature of his medical leave from Capitol Hill. WMAQ-TV's Mary Ann Ahern joins NewsNation to discuss.
Durbin and Democratic Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois compared Jackson's situation to those of stricken Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois and Democratic Representative Bobby Rush.
Kirk suffered a stroke in January and his doctors held news conferences about his condition. He later provided a video depicting his recovery and showing him speaking and struggling to walk on a treadmill.
Rush had surgery for throat cancer, and Gutierrez said "we knew where to find him."
Jackson's office issued a short statement on June 25 saying he was being treated for exhaustion and had been on leave since June 10.
On July 5 another release said Jackson's problems were more serious than previously believed, that he had long dealt with "physical and emotional ailments" and needed extended inpatient treatment.
Jackson's press secretary Frank Watkins declined comment on Durbin's views. In 2004 Jackson underwent the weight-loss operation gastric bypass surgery, apparently without problems.
'Some kind of depression'
"He should be focusing on his health," said Representative Danny Davis of Illinois, a friend of the Jackson family who said he has not inquired about Jackson's ailments.
"I hear that it was kind of serious in terms of some kind of depression," he added.
Jackson's Republican opponent, Brian Woodworth, said he was not "engaging in any speculation" about Jackson's condition. But he said there was an obligation by Jackson's camp to clarify what is going on.
Jackson has been the subject of a congressional ethics committee probe regarding his involvement in an alleged bribe offered to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich by one of Jackson's supporters, Chicago businessman Raghuveer Nayak, in 2008.
The multi-million-dollar offer was intended to entice Blagojevich into appointing Jackson to President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Jackson admitted to lobbying for the Senate seat but has denied knowing about any money offered to Blagojevich, who is in prison.
Nayak was arrested by the FBI last month and charged with paying bribes and kickbacks to doctors to funnel patients to his surgery clinics, and then writing off the payments on his taxes.
The congressional ethics committee was also investigating the propriety of Nayak paying for plane tickets to Chicago for a "social acquaintance" of Jackson who is a hostess at a Washington nightclub.
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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I agree, and I think if he did attempt suicide, that's reason enough for a resignation by himself. Of course, he will milk the system for as long as he can, and that will probably mean that he will have to be voted out of office. However, if he's treated like Marion B., the voters will not even blink at the fact he can't do his job, they will just vote him back in and continue to pay him to do whatever ........
I can only hope the media shows the same concern and respect to the bugeyedbastardmaker jr they did for Rush.
Politicians are one people that Americans really don't trust. Jackson, like so many people, is probably an alcoholic or drug user or both, and may have attempted suicide. Don't worry, since politicians can't tell the truth, we won't think any less of you or any other politician as we do already! Get well.
he's allergic to work... common among his people
People here in Detroit would still re-elect Kwame Kilpatrick if given the chance.
The scum doesn't fall far from the bucket. JJJ is as honest and trustworthy as his father.
He probally has Aids that is why no one wants to comment on his condition. Most Blacks are Fags
Just read that he is being treated for a mood disorder. Is it he is scared of what the feds will find with there investigation and/or he is not in the mood to do his job due to pressure of telling lies all the time. I think he should be removed from office. He is not trustworthy.
I find Congressman do not feel they are accountable to this country, they are special privileged (in their minds and otherwise) and they are doing a crappy job. As to this case, how could a congressman not give a reason immediately at the beginning of the month-long departure. Instead it comes at the end. If I didn't tell my "boss" why I was out for a month BEFORE being out a month, I'd be fired. This is a public-serving job and full-disclosure should be the norm. For Congress, it's the opposite. Elitists, snobs, and doing a piss-poor job in Congress. Nothing but fighting with each other, and not really getting anything done to help this country. NBC reported this congressman is an alcoholic in another reporting of this news. So was he on a binge drunk, or is he recovering from it for a month???
I know it's a long shot but maybe, he has a conscience?
Jesse Jackson is a snake oil salesman, con-artist extraordinaire. He has enjoyed a well-paid, lifetime career while hurting the average black American by consistently playing the race-card when race should not have been a factor. He has been cited by the media as a philanderer, yet he claims to be a God fearing Christian; a contradiction to say the least. In my opinion, as long as blacks continue to call themselves African-Americans and agree with the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the world when they inappropriately play the race card, we will NEVER have peace amongst the races here in the U.S. Black citizens in the U.S. who strive to educate themselves and their families; that are hard working, caring, giving individuals and not ‘takers’ are being hurt by the rhetoric being spewed for the past hundred years.
I believe that JJ Sr. and JJ Jr. are both F of S just like Rev. Al. They have no problem claiming on camera that they are the Moral Champions of our country. When it comes time to hang out their laundry the story changes. They belong in Washington with the rest of the phonies. If you are a White Politician or a Black Politician they all disgrace our country. The Chicago boys strike again.
Crack usage is hardly a "mystery addiction"
Still doubt there is a liberal media bias?
If he can't do the job then resign, he shouldn't get paid if he can't say what is wrong and a timeline of when he will be well. In the private sector you can't just say I'm sick and not go to work for an extended time and expect to keep your job. I can't believe anyone would vote him into office with the idiot father he has, you know the phrase like father like son that would be enough for me not to want him representing my families best interest in state matters.
I'm utterly amazed at the ignorance on this blog. I find it hard to believe this man has been gone a month and no one knows anything. The need to know, knows something. If I got sick, its not my co-workers business what exactly is wrong with me but my supervisor would know something. Why does he need to resign? Not because he so call can't do his job but because he won't let nosey people know his business. Give me a break. I hope none of you ever have to go out sick at work because when you get back you will have to call a press conference and let everybody know why.
The younger Jackson has probably contracted AIDS and is fearful of the publicity....watermelon and some fried chicken may ease his pain...
It's no secret. He suffers from demagogueivitas which has attacked his brain causing severe asymptomatic depression.
Give that man a prescription for Cymbalta and send him home - he's costing the taxpayers cash with his 30 day hospital bill.
I find it disgusting his own political ambitions outweigh his personal responsibility to let his constituents know what is going on.
This negro and all his rotten legacy should disappear never to see the light of day!!! He's infected with the HIV and its only a matter of time till he drops dead!!!
Maybe this Politician got done reading a “Sarah Palin” book….became Confused, Irrational and Lost his Mind. It seems to be a “Side Effect”.
You BetCha….Fer Sure.
His sickness is called Liberalism, a mind wrecking disease that destroys your sense of reasoning, and ability to wanna work.
Drug are bAD!!! HUmmmK!??
He was in rehab....
Come on out now Jesse Jackson Jr and say I am gay....