Jesse Jackson Jr. Resigns From Congress

Scandal and health-afflicted congressman calls it quits - right after being re-elected

After a prolonged leave over mental illness and an ongoing FBI investigation into campaign funds, Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) has resigned, submitting a letter of resignation to House Speaker John Boehner's office today. Jackson was re-elected in his Chicago congressional district only two weeks ago.

The congressman announced that he suffers from bipolar depression last month, spending four weeks in a Mayo health clinic in Minnesota, according to CBS News.

Jackson has also been plagued by a catalogue of scandals, from his involvement with former-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to the more recent accusations of misusing campaign funds.

The congressmen allegedly used campaign funds to decorate his home and purchase a $40,000 Rolex for a female friend. The investigation, CBS News reports, has expanded to include his wife, Sandi Jackson, a Chicago alderman.

Jackson is allegedly negotiating a plea deal in the case, which could include jail time.

Illinois law dictates a special election within 115 days in the event of a congressional vacancy, so we can look forward to another Congressional race coming up soon.

Via Politico and CBS News

Should Jackson have resigned earlier, instead of running for re-election?

[bsking]

he had no choice he was called back to duty as pharaohs chariot driver

[Zoe2012]

Lost one of wheels?

[Sonny]

?

[bsking]

I am kind of surprised usually the party won't give up the seat or something like brain damage which is why Biden is still around

[artjeb]

BS King.
Now you should not talk that way about BIDER even if it's true

[PoliticalSpice]

I suspect that he held out to enhance his position with prosecutors in reaching a plea bargin...

[bizaroWorld]

This happens all of the time here in Illinois. A Democrat runs who is under investigation but is so wildly popular with the voters the party knows he will win. After the election the crook resigns and then the party bosses are allowed to pick his replacement which, of course, will be another lapdog.

It's part of the Progressive platform.

[Dan_Tien]

Did you miss this portion of the article?:

"Illinois law dictates a special election within 115 days in the event of a congressional vacancy, so we can look forward to another Congressional race coming up soon."

[MRMacrum]

You live in Illinois and someone else had to fill you in on how your system works? That must be the Winger platform in action.

[bizaroWorld]

@MRMacrum
It's a first. Perhaps things really are going to be different with this last election. I'm so glad that it will only cost Illinois a nice chunk of change in our bankrupt state to run a special election. It's part of the Progressive platform.

[marine1]

We illinois folks know that there is no low, to which a chicago democrat won't go

[jessejaymes]

Spends six months in a hospital setting up a defense for his corruption. "Bi polar" may backside. Like father like son. Con men both.

[Sonny]

Not really. You may not like JJ Senior...But he didn't break any laws...JJ Junior, on the other hand, clearly has some legal problems.

[jessejaymes]

@Sonny Jesse Jackson senior under any circumstance other than race baiting would be in prison for extortion.

[Sonny]

@jessejaymes Who did he extort, and when? Cause I have never heard about it.

[jessejaymes]

@Sonny Oh come on man.; He extorted NASCAR, he threatens demonstrations and boycotts to organizations that he wants money from for his "operation push" and has for years.

[Sonny]

@jessejaymes No you "come on". If Nascar has some kind of problem with its minority employees...And Jackson makes the rest of the public aware of it...Then fine...If they think they don't then they can tell Jackson to go pound sand. So how is any of that "extortion"?

[CCC78]

Je$$e JR. should have not run for re-election. Those who voted for him should be examined for mental illness as well. Typical of the liberal mind in the country.

[marine1]

lets look at the positive side, he will have more free time to spend with his illegitmate sibling?

[mtkopf]

As an Illinois voter I find it highly irresponsible that he did not resign before the election. He now leaves the voters in his district without representation for 4 months, all so he could hide from federal authorities in the Mayo clinic all the while collecting his congressional salary. What a disgraceful pos. Have fun in prison Jesse and don't drop the soap.

[artjeb]

As for collecting his salary you got it.
serve 6 months & resign &they still get paid.
You try that at your job & see where your pay check comes from.

[mtkopf]

@artjeb the more important thing is they still get a pension which is a heckuva lot more over the life than the six months.
Btw does anyone know if taxpayers are on the hook for the cost of mayo clinic? Did Jackson opt out of congressional healthcare or what? What does their healthcare pay for? All I know is it was reported here in Chicago that he was going to try to sell his d.c. townhome to pay for his medical bills.

[Pragmatist]

Doesn't the governor get to appoint an interim representative in his place before the special election?

[mtkopf]

@Pragmatist no article 2 section 2 of u.s. constitution says that house of repredentatives seats will be always filled by an election either regular or special election.
Now a governor may temporarily fill a u.s. Senate seat.

[Pragmatist]

@mtkopf Ah, I see. Thanks for the info! I did find it weird that he was MIA for so long... but that's just typical for any politician in my mind (most notable difference Gen Petraus immediately resigned, even though he probably could have tried to fight and stay on as head of the CIA if he wanted to).

[scotta]

He did nothing wrong. That is Chicago's way of doing business. Ask the last two jail birds, oops former governors. You can also ask his daddy or the "Banner" himself. He will tell you the truth the hoe truth and nothing but the truth. So help me Allah

[marine1]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[artjeb]

Getting a plea deal by a politition is just a slap on the wrist & a lecture.
BE GOOD NOW.

[mimi57]

To admit to having a mental illness such as being bi-polar is not an easy thing to do. One of the main symptoms
of the disease is "cycling", and he probably decided to run again because he was feeling good or euphoric.
The opposite of which is feeling down, and extremely depressed and unable to properly function, often sleeping
most of the time. Being a Conservative, I do not support his politics...however, I do support and wish him well.

[artjeb]

MIMI aww shucks.
You got a heart of gold

[Souljah]

wow..wery nice of you!!!

[Souljah]

@Souljah LOL i meant... very

[DARSB]

Good for you, Mimi!

[Sharpshooter]

All those dead democrats in the cemeteries around Chicago need to come out again to vote for the democrat of choice? They should just elect Axelshaft's boy so he can do poorly at two jobs.

[Bobolinsky]

How would you like to be one of the people who donated to his reelection campaign?

[DARSB]

Well, he outlasted Allen West.

[Sonny]

Maybe West can fly to Chicago, and run for that open seat.

[DARSB]

@Sonny Hmm... Didn't work for Alan Keyes, but what the hell...

[LGRepublican]

All this and yet he managed to get reelected in a landslide. So much for the informed electorate.......

[Sonny]

The "informed electorate" just like you---is NOT always privy to pending legal matters. And the prosecutor (if he is doing his job right)---should not make his work "political"....So, it would make sense that the public didn't know about these investigations..

[LGRepublican]

@Sonny One problem with that theory. The story was in the papers for months before the election. Anyone paying attention would have known about it.

[Sonny]

@LGRepublican No the speculation was in the papers for months...That's not the same thing.

[LGRepublican]

@Sonny The facts were he was under investigation for various illegal activities including being involved in Gov. Blaggo selling Obama's senate seat. To guess on the outcome would be speculation, to report about the charges and ongoing investigation is fact. Besides, anyone who followed his father's "career" would know that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree..

[Sonny]

@LGRepublican Well his father is not him....And not only has his father not broken any laws, but it would be silly to hold Jr. responsible for anything that some one else did anyway. Finally---again...being "under investigation" is still not yet being found guilty of anything...Read your constitution and laws of this country, sir. Even you, if under investigation, are still considered "innocent until PROVEN guilty"...What you think those words only apply to some of the citizens and not everyone?

[2b1ask1]

Oh my....what a big, fat f*****g shame!!

[Sonny]

Are you a Mason?

[FollowTheMoney]

This turkey should have resigned after his second term. But not to worry, he'll have a pension for life.

[PNWest]

He should have resigned earlier. It is fairly obvious that he is a crook and I hope that he goes to jail.

[SavageMazx]

Dang it two in one day....dang it PN

[1hardcorerepub]

Who didn't see this coming?

Anyone who voted democrat.

[Keyjo]

Don't let the door knob hit you, J.J. Jr..

[hertz_doughnut]

I think he was a good man that could not understand. Maybe the Son was more worthy than the Father. I must go insane earthly father as the Father you taught me about told me to. Just like a good Democrat Kennedy can be Killed for talking about secret societies. This one was guten heimer.