Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) (R), talks to the news media as his wife Sandi Jackson (L) and his sister Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson embrace after a news conference at the U.S. Capitol December 10, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
CHICAGO—Sandi Jackson, wife of former embattled 2nd Congressional District Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned from her post as Alderman Friday, according to the mayor’s office.
Effective January 15, Jackson will no longer serve Chicago’s 7th Ward, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said after receiving a resignation letter.
“…after much consideration and while dealing with very painful family health matters I have met with my family and determined that the constituents of the 7th Ward, as well as you Mr. Mayor, and my colleagues in the City Council deserve a partner who can commit all of their energies to the business of the people,” Jackson wrote in a letter addressed to Emanuel. “Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation as Alderman of 7th Ward, effective January 15, 2013.”
In the nearly one and a half page letter, Jackson details a few accomplishments she made during her 6-year tenure, including securing $98 million in TIF funds helping advance the development of the Chicago Lakeside project, and developing the first Special Service Area in the 7th Ward.
In a statement, Emanuel said, “As Sandi takes this time to focus on her family, we give her our deepest thanks and support for her service to our City and the residents of her ward. Her leadership has been greatly appreciated in the Chicago City Council.”
Addressing family concerns, Jackson went on to say, “As a representative of the people of the 7th Ward, I value the public trust which has been bestowed upon me and take my responsibility to safeguard the interests of my constituents seriously. Likewise, I am unapologetically a wife and a mother and I cannot deny my commitment to those most important personal responsibilities.”
Jackson had recently been asked by Illinois’ State Board of Elections to explain a $69,000 discrepancy between her campaign finance reports and those of her husband, according to NBC 5 Chicago.
This move comes less than two months after husband Jackson Jr. resigned from his seat, citing health reasons, amid an FBI probe.
Jackson Jr., who went on medical leave in June of 2012 with stints at the Rochester Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic, admitted to his “share of mistakes,” in his resignation letter, addressing the probe. He is still being investigated by the FBI on charges that he used campaign funds to redecorate the couple’s Washington, D.C. home. 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.
During the race to replace Jackson Jr. in the 2nd Congressional District, Sandi Jackson was rumored to want the seat, however she struck down reports that she had intentions of running.
Emanuel said plans to replace Jackson in the 7th Ward will be announced next week.
Renita D. Young is a Chicago-based multimedia journalist. Follow her on Twitter @RenitaDYoung.
