theGrio

Back to the Top

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • Health
    • Ask Dr. Ty
    • Black Men’s Health
    • Black Women and Breast Cancer
    • Back to School Health
  • Living
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Living Forward
    • Books
  • Politics
    • Perry on Politics
  • Sports
  • News
    • Good News
  • Opinion

News

Jesse Jackson Jr. takes medical leave of absence

by Sophia Tareen, Associated Press | June 26, 2012 at 9:18 AM
Comments
Print

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

Related Posts

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson: No timetable on son's recovery
  • Jesse Jackson Jr's 'mood disorder' raising questions
  • Jesse Jackson Jr.'s absence tests patience of Chicago voters
  • Mayo Clinic: Jesse Jackson Jr. continues medical treatment
  • Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. gets visit from 2 congressmen

CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who defeated a primary challenge this year despite being the target of a House ethics investigation, has been on a medical leave for two weeks and is being treated for exhaustion, his office announced Monday.

In a three-sentence news release, Jackson’s office disclosed that the Democrat went on leave June 10 but did not provide further details, including how long he would be away. In the release, he asked that his family’s privacy be respected.

“I don’t know how long he’ll be out of action,” said Frank Watkins, Jackson’s spokesman, adding that he could not offer additional details.

Several of Jackson’s congressional colleagues noted his absence last week on the House floor, where he missed votes. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat, did not know why he was gone.

The statement said Jackson’s offices will remain open for constituent services. Since June 10, the congressman’s office has sent out news releases quoting him. His Twitter site has remained active, including two tweets Monday about the Affordable Care Act, which the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on this week.

Earlier this year, Jackson, 47, faced a primary challenge from former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson and campaigned more actively than in previous years. Since then, the veteran Democrat has been promoting a third Chicago area airport and campaigned against a proposed federal detention center for illegal immigrants.

Jackson first won office in 1995 and represents Illinois’ 2nd District, which includes neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side and in its south suburbs.

The House Ethics Committee probe involves allegations that Jackson was involved in discussions about raising money for then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign in exchange for Blagojevich appointing him to President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat.

Jackson also allegedly directed a fundraiser and longtime friend, Raghuveer Nayak, to buy plane tickets for a woman described as Jackson’s ”social acquaintance.” Jackson has since called it a personal matter that he has dealt with privately with his wife, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson.

Last week, Nayak was arrested and pleaded not guilty to unrelated fraud charges involving outpatient surgery centers he owns. At Blagojevich’s first corruption trial in 2010, prosecutors said another Blagojevich fundraiser was ready to testify that Jackson instructed Nayak to raise money for Blagojevich’s campaign in exchange for the Senate seat. The same witness later testified that he attended a meeting with Jackson and Nayak.

Jackson has not been charged. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and insists he will be vindicated.

Jackson’s father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, was out of the country Monday and declined to comment on the matter. Messages left for Sandi Jackson were not immediately returned.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

  • teen-sentencing-still-criminally-inhumane-16x9.jpg
    Next Story:

    Prisoner dies after nurse turns ambulance away

  • convicts-16x9
    Previous Story:

    Supreme Court ban on juvenile lifers is a win for African-Americans

Filed in: News | Related Topics: Chicago, Congress, Ethics, House Ethics Committe, Illinois, Investigation, Jesse Jackson Jr., Leave of Absence, Medical Leave of Absence, Rod Blagojevich
  • Learn about our User Panel

    Read More
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • Venus Williams previews French Open dress Venus Williams previews French Open dress
    • Chief Keef threatens to slap Katy Perry via Twitter Chief Keef threatens to slap Katy Perry via Twitter
    • Warrant for rapper Tim Dog, despite death reports Warrant for rapper Tim Dog, despite death reports
    • Pa. woman convicted in fiance’s wedding day death Pa. woman convicted in fiance’s wedding day death
    • Mayoral candidate ‘endorsed by Jesus’ finishes last
    • First lady: ‘I have failed at things’
    • Is hip-hop finally over molly?
    • 4 boss moves to make during Memorial Day weekend
  • What Your Friends Are Reading

  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • Transportation Secretary nominee, Charlotte, N.C. Mayor Anthony Foxx testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on his nomination. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

    Anthony Foxx receives warm reception from senators

  • Obama cites new framework for terror war

  • Obama's 1979 prom photo, yearbook note to 'foxy' friend unearthed

  • Are the Obamas too critical of black Americans?

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • An elderly black couple. © poco_bw – Fotolia.com

    Black Americans retiring earlier, with less savings

  • BlackStartup.com seeks to uplift black businesses

  • Payday loans: A debt trap in disguise

  • Tiger Woods makes a comeback on the course, and in video game sales

» Read More in Business

Living

  • mcdonalds_lottery 1x9

    McDonald's can't shake criticism about nutrition

  • Beyoncé and Rent The Runway launch 'The Beyoncé Boutique'

  • Homeless teen graduates as valedictorian of high school class

  • Memorial Day staycation hotspots!

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • Television journalist Robin Roberts poses with her Peabody at the 72nd Annual Peabody Awards at the Waldorf-Astoria on Monday, May 20, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

    Robin Roberts to write memoir about illness

  • Charlotte remembers 1963 desegregation 'eat-in'

  • Tornado survivor saved by teacher

  • Obama speech makes Morehouse grads 'proud'

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • Kanye West  (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

    The top 5 rap lyrics of the week

  • UK rapper live tweets London knife attack

  • Darius Rucker rides 'Wagon Wheel' to top of charts

  • Janet Jackson officially hits billionaire status

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • Trayvon Martin and his father

    Defense releases photos, texts of Trayvon Martin

  • Robert Griffin III still aiming for Redskins' opener

  • UCLA awarded $10M grant to study autism in African-Americans

  • Chinua Achebe honored in Nigeria funeral

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Living
  • Video
  • Inspire
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2013 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP