• Gun control candidate wins easy in Illinois primary to replace Jesse Jackson

    Charles Rex Arbogast / AP

    Robin Kelly celebrates her special primary election win for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District, once held by Jesse Jackson Jr., over Debbie Halvorson, and Anthony Beale Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Matteson, Ill.

    By Andrew Rafferty, Staff Writer, NBC News

    Democratic congressional candidate Robin Kelly, who centered her campaign heavily on calls for tougher gun control laws, emerged from a crowded field on Tuesday to clinch her party’s nomination for the Illinois House seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr.  

    “You sent a message that was heard around our state and around the nation,” Kelly said in her victory speech late Tuesday night. “A message that tells the NRA that their days of holding our country hostage are coming to an end."

    Her speech was focused almost solely on gun control, the issue that came to define the race in the Chicago-area district, an area of the country that has recently been at the epicenter of gun violence. Kelly skated to an easy victory, earning well over 50 percent of the votes with none of her competitors earning anywhere near that amount of support.

    The former Illinois state representative was aided greatly by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s super PAC, Independence USA, which endorsed Kelly and spent more than $2 million in the race.

    The PAC focused on taking down opponents for supporting certain gun-rights policies, including chief rival Debbie Halvorson, a former member of Congress.

    "In the race to replace Jesse Jackson, watch out for Debbie Halvorson. When she was in Congress before, Halvorson got an 'A' from the NRA," argued an Independence USA TV ad, adding: "Debbie Halvorson -- when it comes to preventing gun violence, she gets an 'F.'"

    Bloomberg tweeted his congratulations, writing, "As Congress considers the President's gun package voters in IL have spoken: we need common sense gun legislation now."

    Prominently featured on Kelly’s website is a list of her five-point plan to reduce gun deaths.

    "In Congress, Kelly will keep taking on the NRA, fighting to ban assault weapons and outlaw high-capacity ammunition clips," said one of her TV ads.

    Kelly will go on to face a Republican challenger in April, but is expected to win easily in the heavily Democratic district.

    NBC's Mark Murray contributed to this report

  • Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. resigns from Congress

    Jackson, who has been hospitalized on and off since June for treatment of bipolar disorder, gave up his seat in Congress after 17 years. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.

    By Michael O'Brien, NBC News

     

    Updated 2:59 p.m. ET — Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., resigned from Congress on Wednesday following a prolonged treatment for mental health issues.

    An aide to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told NBC News that the speaker's office received a letter from the Illinois congressman this afternoon.

    "During this journey, I have made my share of mistakes," Jackson wrote in his letter. "I am aware of the ongoing federal investigation into my activities, and I am doing my best to address the situation responsibly, cooperate with the investigators, and accept responsibility for my mistakes, for they are my mistakes and mine alone. None of us is immune from our share of shortcomings or human frailties and I pray that I will be remembered for what I did right."

    Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s resignation comes just two weeks after he won a ninth term as a representative of Illinois without campaigning and after being out of the public eye for months due to a personal struggle with mental illness. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.

    The son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader, Jackson, Jr. had sought treatment for bipolar depression at the Mayo Clinic for much of the past summer and fall. His last vote in Congress was on June 10, and his mysterious disappearance from official duties prompted speculation about the reason for the Democrat's prolonged absence.

    Jackson was first elected to Congress in 1995 in a Chicago-area district's special election, and had won re-election to eight full terms since then. He won re-election just 15 days ago by a 40-point margin in the heavily Democratic district. Jackson also survived a Democratic primary challenge this summer from former Rep. Debbie Halvorson. President Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) each endorsed Jackson in the primary.

    Amid his battles against mental illness, Jackson has also been embroiled in ethics allegations, which prompted the congressman to reportedly hire an attorney in recent weeks.

    In particular, Jackson's efforts to convince then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to appoint him as Barack Obama's successor in the Senate have drawn scrutiny. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was subsequently convicted of having sought favors and donations in exchange for the appointment.

  • Embattled Jesse Jackson Jr. wins re-election despite criminal probe

    Katy Wolpoff / NBC Chicago

    Jesse Jackson Jr. won re-election to Illinois' 2nd Congressional district by a landslide Tuesday night, NBC Chicago reported.

    By Andrew Greiner, NBCChicago.com

    CHICAGO — U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., who has made no public appearances since for several months amid illness and who faces a criminal probe into alleged misuse of public funds, easily won re-election to his Chicago-area district on Tuesday.

    Jackson, a Democrat who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1995 and who was diagnosed earlier this year with bipolar disorder, won re-election to Illinois' 2nd Congressional district by a landslide, beating his two opponents, Marcus Lewis and Brian Woodworth.

    As of 2 a.m. local time Wednesday (3 a.m. ET) and with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Jackson had captured 63 percent of the vote.

    "My deep and sincere thanks to the people of the 2nd Congressional District, I am humbled and moved by the support shown today," Jackson said in a written statement. "Everyday, I think about your needs and concerns. Once the doctors approve my return to work, I will continue to be the progressive fighter you have known for years. My family and I are grateful for your many heartfelt prayers and kind thoughts. I continue to feel better everyday and look forward to serving you."

    Jesse Jackson Jr. under federal investigation over alleged financial improprieties

    Jackson reportedly spent the night at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

    August 2012: Former Rhode Island U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy visited longtime friend and colleague U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who is undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder. Kennedy described their mutual struggle with depression in this extended interview with NBC News.

    Jackson disappeared from public view before the primary when he left for a treatment center in Arizona in early June. He later moved on to Mayo where he was diagnosed with bipolar depression and gastrointestinal issues.

    More stories from NBCChicago.com

    In October, federal prosecutors and FBI agents in Washington, D.C., launched a criminal investigation into Jackson involving alleged financial improprieties.

    At the same time, a House Ethics Committee continues to look into Jackson's supposed involvement in trying to be appointed to now-President Barack Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate. Jackson has admitted he wanted to be appointed to the Senate, but has repeatedly denied allegations he sent emissaries to offer campaign cash to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for the seat.

    The emissary that he denies sending to negotiate with Blagojevich, Raghuveer Nayak, was arrested on 17 counts of fraud in June.

    Once a rising star, the Illinois Representative has not been seen in Congress since early June. Friends and colleagues say Jackson was being treated at a facility in Arizona. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

    More election coverage from NBCNews.com:

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  • Jesse Jackson Jr. 'debilitated' by depression but no plans to step down, family says

    By NBC News staff

    Mitch Dumke / Reuters

    U.S. Rep Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., has been on an extended leave of absence from his job while he gets treatment at the Mayo Clinic.

    The wife of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says he is “completely debilitated” by depression but Jackson’s father says the Illinois congressman has no plans to quit his post.

    The Rev. Jesse Jackson said he has visited his son at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he is being treated. He said there’s no timeline for his recovery.

    “He’s taking his treatment. This takes time. We can’t put a timetable on it.,” the elder Jackson said Saturday after his weekly radio broadcast at Rainbow PUSH, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. 

    The elder Jackson spoke a day after his daughter-in-law, Sandi Jackson, told the Sun-Times her husband had become “completely debilitated by depression.” 

    Sandi Jackson, an alderman for Chicago’s 7th Ward, denied rumors that her husband attempted suicide or was being treated for alcohol and drug addiction.

    ““No, no, none of that is true,” she told the Sun-Times.

    The fate of Jesse Jackson Jr., an Illinois Democrat, has been the subject of speculation ever since he reportedly “collapsed” on June 10 at his home in Washington. He sought treatment for exhaustion at the Sierra Tucson Treatment Center in Arizona, then transferred to the Mayo Clinic.

    Jackson and his family have released few details of his ordeal.

     “I fully expect him to return to work, but not a day before the doctor says it’s OK,” Sandi Jackson told the Sun-Times. “And although he has talked about teaching, he’s focusing on going back to work, back to his job. He is a gifted legislator.”

    Jackson’s illness comes as the House Ethics Committee is investigating his connections to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted on corruption charges in connection with his efforts to profit from appointing a successor to the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama after he was elected president.. Jackson was not charged and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

     

  • Friends: Jesse Jackson, Jr. in Arizona for treatment

    Once a rising star, the Illinois Representative has not been seen in Congress since early June. Friends and colleagues say Jackson was being treated at a facility in Arizona. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

    By Andrea Mitchell, NBC News

    Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. faced new pressure from Democratic leaders Wednesday to explain his month-long absence from Congress, even as friends and colleagues tell NBC News that he has been at a treatment facility in Arizona.


    A family friend who is in close touch with Jackson’s parents says the congressman is suffering from “severe clinical depression” and has an alcohol problem – although his wife and staff have a different view of his condition.

    His wife, Sandi Jackson, texted NBC Chicago on Wednesday saying that her husband is “not in rehab.” His staff issued a statement denying Jackson was being treated for alcoholism – they say he is being treated for a “mood disorder.”

    “The Congressman is receiving intensive medical treatment at a residential facility for a mood disorder,” his office said in the statement. “He is responding positively to treatment and expected to make a full recovery.”

    A statement from Jackson’s physician also said that he is responding well.

    Jackson’s father, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, Sr. told NBC Chicago on Tuesday that his son is under medical supervision and is slowly regaining his strength.

    "He is taking his time in his recovery and of course we pray for him and of course the family embraces him. We love him so much," Jesse Jackson, Sr. said.

    Jackson has missed more than 80 votes and has not been seen in Congress since early last month, which has not settled well with Democratic colleagues.

    Representative Steny Hoyer, Democrat from Maryland, said the congressman and his family should "advise the constituents of his condition. He’s obviously facing a health problem.”

    Jackson still faces a House Ethics Committee investigation into whether he used his office to compel former Governor Rod Blagojevich to appoint him to the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama in 2008. A former fundraiser for Jackson was arrested on June 20 by federal prosecutors in Illinois on unrelated charges. There have also been reported marital problems.

    On Wednesday, a close friend of Jackson’s told NBC, "This has all come down on him like an avalanche and there is a good possibility he will have to resign."  

    Capitol Hill correspondent Kelly O’Donnell contributed to this report.