Jesse Jackson Jr.#Campaign fraud

Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and was raised in the Jackson Park Highlands District of the South Shore community area on the South Side of Chicago.Jackson and Watkins, p. 28.Jackson and Watkins, p. 31. He was one of five children of Jesse and Jacqueline (Brown) Jackson.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010129/archive_006311.htm |title=The Jackson Reaction: As he does penance in the wilderness, supporters predict he'll return |access-date=2008-04-25 |date=January 21, 2001 |author=Cannon, Angie |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231713/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010129/archive_006311.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DA1238F933A15754C0A96E948260|title= The Democrats in Atlanta; Jackson Rouses Democrats With Plea For Hope, Saying 'Tonight I Salute' Dukakis|access-date=2008-04-25|date=July 20, 1988|work=The New York Times|author=Dionne, E. J. Jr.|author-link=E. J. Dionne}} He attended nursery school at the University of Chicago and attended John J. Pershing Elementary School. At age five, Jackson mimicked his father in a speech atop a milk crate at the Operation PUSH headquarters. His time with his father sometimes occurred in the time between political meetings.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E2DF1531F930A35750C0A96E958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Is His Father's Son, But He Reaches Beyond the Rainbow|access-date=2008-04-19|date=March 3, 1998|work=The New York Times|author=Johnson, Dirk}}

He and his brother Jonathan were sent to Le Mans Academy in Rolling Prairie, Indiana after Jackson was diagnosed as hyperactive. As a young cadet, he was paddled at times for disciplinary reasons. During his tenure there, he earned the rank of Company Commander.Jackson and Watkins, p. 29. Jackson repeated ninth grade and was suspended from school twice.Jackson and Watkins, p. 32. Jackson graduated from St. Albans School.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1DF1739F937A25751C1A963958260|title=Victory His, Jesse Jackson Jr. Heads to Congress |date=December 14, 1995|access-date=February 4, 2018|work=The New York Times | first=Dirk | last=Johnson}} He was an all-state running back on his football team in high school and was featured in the February 1984 issue of Sports Illustrated as part of their Faces in the Crowd section, which noted him for his 15 touchdowns, 889 rushing yards, and 7.2 yards per carry in six games.{{cite magazine|title=Faces in the Crowd|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19840213&mode=reader_vault|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125050841/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19840213&mode=reader_vault|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2011|page=145|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=February 13, 1984}} Jackson enrolled in North Carolina A&T University, his father's alma mater, earning his Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in 1987.{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/jackson/Bio.shtml|title=Biography of Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr.|access-date=2008-04-21|publisher=house.gov |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080416122153/http://www.house.gov/jackson/Bio.shtml |archive-date = April 16, 2008}} He decided to follow his father's advice to receive a seminary education at the Chicago Theological Seminary, where he earned his master's degree a year early but opted not to become ordained. Jackson proceeded to law school at the University of Illinois and convinced his future wife to transfer there from the Georgetown University Law Center. He then earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1993.{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=j000283|title=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr., (1965 – )|access-date=2008-04-21|publisher=congress.gov}} Jackson never sat for the bar exam despite finishing his coursework a semester early.

As a teenager, Jackson and his brother Jonathan assisted in their father's civil rights activities.{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6091EFA395C0C738FDDAB0994DB484D81|title=Jackson Is Off To Syria To Seek Flier's Release|access-date=2008-04-25|date=December 30, 1983|work=The New York Times|author=Smothers, Ronald}} During the 1984 Democratic primaries, the three Jackson brothers sometimes appeared at events together in support of their father's presidential campaign.{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA061FFE3E5C0C7B8DDDAD0894DC484D81|title=Jacqueline Jackson Finds Own Role|access-date=2008-04-26|date=April 18, 1984|work=The New York Times|author=Gaiter, Dorothy J.}} While in college, Jackson held a voter registration drive that registered 3,500 voters on a campus with 4,500 students.Jackson and Watkins, p. 33. His first job after graduation was as an executive director for the Rainbow Coalition.Jackson and Watkins, p. 34.

Jackson was again involved in his father's campaigning during the 1988 Democratic primaries.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5DE1E3DF932A25757C0A96E948260|title= New Yorkers Welcome Jackson Like a Celebrity|access-date=2008-04-18|date=April 11, 1988|work=The New York Times|author=Lyall, Sarah}} In 1988, in the dealings between his father and Michael Dukakis at the 1988 Democratic National Convention, Jackson's father obtained for him a position as an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) by a nomination from Democratic Party chairman Paul Kirk.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,968030,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308133443/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,968030,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2008|title=The Democrats|access-date=2008-04-18|date=August 1, 1988|magazine=Time|author=Carlson, Margaret, B.|author-link=Margaret Carlson}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5DC1238F930A15754C0A96E948260|title= After The Convention; Dukakis Sets Out To Parlay Unity into Fall Victory|access-date=2008-04-18|date=July 23, 1988|work=The New York Times|author=Oreskes, Michael}} Jackson Jr. was the last of the five children to speak and introduced his father with the words "a man who fights against the odds, who lives against the odds, our dad, Jesse Jackson." At the time, in Time magazine, Margaret Carlson depicted the younger Jackson as a well-spoken and compelling personality who would likely carry any of his father's political aspirations that his father was unable to achieve himself. His experience with the DNC gave him the opportunity to work on numerous congressional election races.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E7D61339F937A15752C1A963958260|title= In House Election, a Familiar Name|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 24, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Terry, Don}} After the convention he also became a vice president of Operation PUSH.Jackson and Watkins, p. 35.

Jackson was arrested on his twenty-first birthday in Washington, D.C., following his participation in demonstrations against apartheid at the South African Embassy.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200401/20040113_jacksonjr.html |title=Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.: original airdate January 13, 2004 |access-date=2008-04-22 |publisher=The Smiley Group, Inc/PBS.org |date=January 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124032711/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200401/20040113_jacksonjr.html |archive-date=November 24, 2009 }} He had been arrested with his father and brother the year before in a similar activity.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503EEDA1E39F931A25750C0A963948260|title= Around The Nation; Jackson Arrested in Embassy Protest|access-date=2008-04-25|date=March 12, 1985|work=The New York Times}} His protest against apartheid extended to weekly demonstrations in front of the South African Consulate in Chicago. Jackson shared the stage with Nelson Mandela when Mandela made his historic speech following his release from a 27-year imprisonment in Cape Town in February 1990. Before entering the House, he became secretary of the Democratic National Committee's Black Caucus, the national field director of the National Rainbow Coalition and a member of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Jackson served as the national field director of the Rainbow Coalition from 1993 to 1995. Under Jackson's leadership, the Rainbow Coalition attempted to stimulate equitable hiring in the National Basketball Association because while 78% of the league's players were African American, 92% of the front-office executive positions, 88% of the administrative jobs, and 85% of the support positions were held by whites.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DE133DF93AA15755C0A965958260|title= Sports People: Pro Basketball; Survey Shows Lack of Jobs for Blacks|access-date=2008-04-18|date=June 29, 1993|work=The New York Times}} While serving as the field director for the National Rainbow Coalition, he helped register millions of new voters through a newly instituted national non-partisan program. He also created a voter education program to teach citizens the importance of participating in the political process. He was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and also a founding board member of the Apollo Alliance.

Jackson's wife wanted him to run for the 2nd District Congressional seat in the 1996 primary election, while his father wanted him to run for a position as an alderman or for the Illinois General Assembly.Jackson and Watkins, p. 38. The 2nd District includes part of Chicago's southeast suburbs known as the Southland and part of the South Side.{{cite web|url=http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/il02_109.gif |title=Congressional District 2 |access-date=2009-02-11 |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |website=NationalAtlas.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219025031/http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/il02_109.gif |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} Jackson's father approached state Sen. Alice J. Palmer with a deal in which the Jacksons would support her for Congress in exchange for her support for Jackson for the Illinois Senate. Jackson Jr. did not agree with the plan and wanted to run for the 2nd District seat. After seeking approval from former Democratic National Committee chairman David Wilhelm, he decided to run for the seat against Palmer. When Mel Reynolds, who was later convicted on sexual misconduct charges, resigned from Congress on September 1, 1995, Jackson's name surfaced as a potential replacement;{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,4676,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007235938/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,4676,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2010|title=Life After Mel|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 5, 1995|magazine=Time}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0DE1530F937A1575BC0A963958260|title= In Congressman's District, Conviction Evokes Regret|access-date=2008-04-18|date=August 24, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Johnson, Dirk}} on September 10, 1995, Jackson officially declared his candidacy.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DF153FF933A2575AC0A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson's Son to Run for House Seat|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 10, 1995|work=The New York Times}} Jackson's opponents in the Democratic primary were Palmer, Emil Jones, Monique Davis, and John Morrow in the Democratic primary, which was set for November 29, 1995.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5205,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008024442/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5205,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Filling Mel's Shoes|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 28, 1995|magazine=Time}} Jones was endorsed by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/May-2005/What-Does-Junior-Want/|title=What Does Junior Want?|access-date=2008-04-24|date=May 2005|work=Chicago Magazine|author=Rhodes, Steve}} Jackson was endorsed by the Daily Southtown, Markham Mayor Evans Miller, and one local labor organization.Jackson and Watkins, p. 39. Campaign controversy arose when it was revealed that Jackson's salary as field director the Rainbow Coalition had been subsidized by the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, which was accused by a U.S. Senate investigative committee of having ties to organized crime. Jackson was one of several Democrats who received campaign contributions from John Huang, a Democratic fundraiser who illegally funneled over $150,000 to Democratic candidates and was later convicted of conspiracy to commit campaign finance fraud. While most other recipients of the Huang-aggregated funds returned them or donated them elsewhere, Jackson kept the money, saying Huang's $1,000 contribution to his campaign was within legal limits.{{cite press release|url=http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=%22000253%22 |title=Jackson on John Huang Contribution |access-date=2008-09-17 |date=March 3, 1997 |publisher=Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912183449/http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=%22000253%22 |archive-date=September 12, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06EFDF1E31F931A35750C0A961958260|title= Fund-Raiser Helped Members of Congress|access-date=2008-04-18|date=March 2, 1997|work=The New York Times|author=Wayne, Leslie}}

Jackson won the Democratic primary with 48% of the vote to Jones's 39%, with the rest of the votes scattered among the other three candidates.{{Cite news|date=1995-11-29|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. Wins Primary in Chicago (Published 1995)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/29/world/jesse-jackson-jr-wins-primary-in-chicago.html|access-date=2020-10-28|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|last1=Hardy|first1=Thomas|last2=Rubin|first2=Bonnie|date=29 November 1995|title=JESSE JACKSON JR. ROLLS OVER VETERAN OPPONENTS|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-11-29-9511290280-story.html|access-date=2020-10-28|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}} The Republicans nominated Thomas Somer. Since the district was overwhelmingly Democratic, Jackson was the favorite for the December 12, 1995 special election.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E3DD1139F93AA15752C1A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Wins Primary in Chicago|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 29, 1995|work=The New York Times}} Jackson won the general election with 76% of the vote;{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5327,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008032128/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5327,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Junior Wins|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 13, 1995|magazine=Time}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983823,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201164443/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983823,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2008|title=This Week|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 11, 1995|magazine=Time|author= August, Melissa, Lina Lofaro, Alice Park, Jeffrey C. Rubin, Alain L. Sanders, and Sidney Urquhart}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/951225/archive_033721.htm |title=Whitewater: Smoking Gun or Squirt Gun?; A Long Way from His Shoeshine Stand |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=December 17, 1995 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231729/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/951225/archive_033721.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }} his victory was widely anticipated.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983897,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307073248/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983897,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2008|title=This Week|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 25, 1995|magazine=Time|author= Horowitz, Janice M., Lina Lofaro, Michael Quinn, Jeffrey C. Rubin, Alain L. Sanders, and Sidney Urquhart}} Upon his victory, Jackson made it known he would be a liberal voice in opposition to Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich. He took office on December 15, 1995.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506E3DC1739F936A25751C1A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Sworn in as House Member|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 15, 1995|work=The New York Times}} Jackson was perceived as less charismatic than his father and less credentialed than his predecessor, but his family pedigree was expected to help him politically. In August 1996, Somer withdrew from a rematch leaving Jackson with no major party opposition in the November 1996 general election.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985457,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029214011/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985457,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Illinois|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 4, 1996|magazine=Time}} As a result, Jackson received 94% of the vote in the general election.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E3DC1E38F934A35752C1A960958260|title= Results of Contests For the U.S. House, District by District|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 7, 1996|work=The New York Times}}

As he prepared to run for president in 2000, Vice President Al Gore attempted to maintain good relations with the Jackson family, hoping to discourage Jackson's father from running for president against him. Jackson received a congratulatory call from Gore after his election in 1995. In 1998, Gore campaigned for and advised Jackson, and went out of his way to instruct aides to create a vice presidential event in Jackson's district to boost Jackson.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/22/magazine/the-gore-guide-to-the-future.html|title= The Gore Guide to the Future|access-date=2008-04-19|date=February 22, 1998|work=The New York Times|author=Berke, Richard L.}}

The 2nd District was overwhelmingly black when Jackson was first elected and remained so after the redistricting process following the 2000 Census.{{cite news|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/il/district-2/|title=Illinois, District 2 Census Data|access-date=2008-04-20|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070820062200/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/il/district-2/ |archive-date = August 20, 2007}} Jackson won re-election in 2000 by a 90–10 margin over Robert Gordon.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E4DD1738F93AA35752C1A9669C8B63|title= The 2000 Elections: Congress; Electing the New Congress: Races for the House and Senate|access-date=2008-04-20|date=November 9, 2000|work=The New York Times}}

In 2001, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Jackson could hire his wife on his campaign payroll as long as she was paid no more than the fair market value for her services.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-26-ethic-gray-areas_x.htm|title=DeLay has company in ethical gray areas|access-date=2008-04-21|date=April 26, 2005|work=USA TODAY|author1=Drinkard, Jim |author2=Kathy Kiely}} In 2002, Jackson was challenged in the Democratic primary by three candidates.{{Cite web |url=http://www.elections.il.gov/electioninformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=18&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=3299&QueryType=Office& |title=2002 primary results |access-date=November 27, 2012 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018235632/http://www.elections.il.gov/electioninformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=18&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=3299&QueryType=Office& |url-status=dead }} Jackson claimed that state Sen. William Shaw and his brother, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Robert Shaw, had planted a bogus candidate in the primary race. The claim was that they selected 68-year-old retired Robbins truck driver, Jesse L. Jackson, as an opponent in order to confuse voters and derail the congressman's re-election campaign. Jackson asked a Cook County court to question the Shaws and others under oath, but his effort was rejected and no criminal wrongdoing was found.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05EFD81138F934A25752C0A9649C8B63|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Sues Challenger|access-date=2008-04-20|date=January 17, 2002|work=The New York Times|author=Shanton, Elizabeth}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407E4D91538F936A25752C0A9649C8B63|title= Lawmaker Loses Bid to Question Opponents|access-date=2008-04-20|date=January 15, 2002|work=The New York Times}} As Jackson prepared to take further legal action, Jesse L. Jackson withdrew his candidacy after the unexpected deaths of his wife and grandson.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-02-02-0202020268-story.html|title= Jackson's same-name foe quits race|access-date=2023-06-11|date=February 2, 2002 |work=Chicago Tribune|author=Janega, James}}

File:Jesse Jackson Jr, official 109th Congressional photo.jpg

Jackson won re-election in the 2004 House of Representatives elections by a wide margin over Stephanie Kennedy Sailor.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00EFDD173CF937A35752C1A9629C8B63|title=The 2004 Elections: Congress; The Races for the House|access-date=2008-04-20|date=November 4, 2004|work=The New York Times}} In 2005, Jackson supported legislation that gave the United States Federal Court of Appeals jurisdiction over the Terri Schiavo case.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/30/national/30schiavo.html|title=Jesse Jackson Takes Up Cause of Schiavo's Parents|access-date=2008-04-20|date=March 30, 2005|work=The New York Times|author=Goodnough, Abby}} In the 2006 election among Jackson's opponents was Libertarian Party candidate and African-American pastor Anthony Williams, an outspoken opponent of immigration.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/magazine/09IMM.html|title=The Immigration Equation|access-date=2008-04-21|date=July 9, 2006|work=The New York Times|author=Lowenstein, Roger}} Jackson won with 85% of the vote.[https://www.nytimes.com/ref/elections/2006/IL.html 2006 results]

Jackson quickly built a track record of never missing a floor vote. Once he nearly missed his great-grandmother's funeral for a roll call, but the presiding officer was able to slightly delay the closing of the roll, thereby keeping his attendance record. Fellow Democrats said he debates and votes with a contentiousness that makes it difficult to view him as a team player. Jackson developed foes not only in the House, but also in Chicago against William Daley, who had a hand in several attempts to block Jackson's seating on the transportation committee he desired because of his support for a third Chicago airport. Jackson has also been a target of conservative media figures. Jackson established a heavily liberal voting record on both social and fiscal issues.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Jesse_Louis_Jackson.htm|title=Illinois House: Jesse Louis Jackson|access-date=2008-04-22|publisher=OnTheIssues.org & the SpeakOut Foundation}} During the 1990s, because of his name recognition and liberal track record, Jackson received many public speaking and media requests.{{cite news|title=Riding the Airwaves to Prominence: Rhetorical Warriors|publisher=Congressional Quarterly|work=CQ Fifty|date=October 30, 1999|pages=115–117}}

After being elected, Jackson attempted to parlay his popularity into a seat on the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, using the leverage of his ability to perform voter registration drives.{{cite news|title=Periscope: Jesse Jr's Quid Pro Quo|work=Newsweek|date=February 26, 1996|page=6}} In the 1996 elections, Jackson began to rival his father as a requested visitor to congressional districts with 36 requests from congressional colleagues.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/961007/archive_033759.htm |title=Jesse Jackson's Newest Rival: Jesse Jr.; Crunch Point?; On Their Own; Court Politics; Spy vs. Spies; High on 42nd Street |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=September 29, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Stanglin, Douglas, Jerelyn Eddings, Kenneth T. Walsh, Kevin Whitelaw, Edward T. Pound, Jeff Trimble and Linda Fasulo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231749/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/961007/archive_033759.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }} He was typically sent on the "black circuit" without any notification to the press when he campaigned for other candidates. Jackson made 30 appearances for Democratic congressional candidates in 1998.

Jackson had some controversial interactions with Jewish leaders in his early years in office. In 1996, his message of unity and cooperation with the Jews was met with skepticism.{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5D61039F937A15756C0A960958260|title= Metro Digest|access-date=2008-04-19|date=May 24, 1996|work=The New York Times}} In 1997, Jackson was criticized for offering mere disagreement with anti-Semitic remarks made by Louis Farrakhan while he was in New York City for the mayoral race; Jewish leaders were unsatisfied by Jackson's response to Farrakhan.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E6DC103CF932A25757C0A961958260|title= 2 Standards About Words on Farrakhan|access-date=2008-04-19|date=April 11, 1997|work=The New York Times|author=Haberman, Clyde}} In 1997, Newsweek mentioned Jackson in their list of 100 people to watch in the new century, dubbed "the Century Club", and raised the question of whether he would be the first black president.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/109162/page/8|title=The Century Club: A Newsweek List Of 100 People To Watch As America Prepares To Pass Through The Gate To The Next Millennium|access-date=2008-04-18|date=April 21, 1997|work=Newsweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215192729/http://www.newsweek.com/id/109162/page/8|archive-date=February 15, 2010}} [http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/1997/04/21/the-century-club.html Alt URL] Jackson criticized the Bill Clinton administration for working with Republicans and voted in dissent on several notable bills that were the products of compromise between Democrats and Republicans. Jackson preferred direct aid and debt relief to trade reform as a method of helping impoverished nations such as those of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean Basin, fearing that relaxed trade regulations would possibly benefit corporations and exploit labor.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/000306/archive_021446.htm |title=Trade Wars Become the Thrilla on the Hill: Strange allies line up for a high-stakes fight |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=February 27, 2000 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Allen, Jodie T. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231708/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/000306/archive_021446.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DEFDC1539F935A25750C0A96E958260|title= Bill to Push Africa Trade Is Approved|access-date=2008-04-19|date=March 16, 1998|work=The New York Times|author=Schmitt, Eric}} He is also an opponent of incentives for corporations to invest in developing nations.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE2D91F3BF931A2575AC0A960958260|title= Foreign Investment Agency Is Rebuffed in House Vote|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 12, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Schmitt, Eric}} He was outspoken on issues of minority hiring in information technology.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E5DC123DF937A35754C0A96F958260|title= Personal Business; Filling a Skill Shortage, Close to Home|access-date=2008-04-19|date=July 4, 1999|work=The New York Times|author=Harmon, Amy}} Jackson voted against the impeachment of Bill Clinton, voting against all four articles of impeachment considered by the House.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/housevote/il.htm Clinton impeachment vote]

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In late 2000, as word spread that President-elect George W. Bush intended to appoint both Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and a third unnamed black to the United States Cabinet, Jackson sought to prevent blacks from supporting Bush as Bush planned to reach out to blacks.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,90471,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124073700/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,90471,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2001|title=No Toms Need Apply|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 3, 2000|magazine=Time|author=White, Jack E.}} Jackson partnered with Republican Henry Hyde to push for a third Chicago airport. Jackson said Hyde was the right wing complement to his own left wing role in pursuing support for the airport.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-07-hyde-retirement_x.htm|title=Hyde leaving Congress with mixed feelings|access-date=2008-04-21|date=December 7, 2006|work=USA TODAY|author=Keily, Kathy}} Jackson has withheld support for local Democrats who would not support the airport, such as 1998 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Glenn Poshard.{{cite news |title=Jesse Jackson Jr.: A Different Vision |date=September 18, 2009|author=Luker, Amanda |work=Utne Reader |url=http://www.utne.com/community/jessejacksonjradifferentvision.aspx#axzz3N8zvqy7U }}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E0D91638F93BA15754C0A96E958260|title= Democrats Cast Wary Eye on One of Their Own|access-date=2008-04-19|date=July 28, 1998|work=The New York Times|author=Johnson, Dirk}}

On January 6, 2001, Jackson and other members of the House of Representatives objected to counting the 25 electoral votes from Florida which George W. Bush narrowly won after a contentious recount. Because no senator joined his objection, the objection was dismissed by Vice President Al Gore, who was Bush's opponent in the 2000 presidential election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-07-mn-9426-story.html|title = Objections Aside, a Smiling Gore Certifies Bush| website=Los Angeles Times |date = January 7, 2001}}

In 2004, Jackson supported the Ho-Chunk tribe's proposal for a casino within his district in Lynwood, Illinois. The proposal was to build the largest casino in the state as part of an entertainment complex.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E4D81439F93AA25755C0A9629C8B63|title= Plan for Indian Casino Splits Illinois Town|access-date=2008-04-21|date=June 19, 2004|work=The New York Times|author=Napolitano, Jo}} In 2005, Jackson sponsored a bill for the creation and acquisition of a life-size statue of Rosa Parks to be placed in Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol. The bill approving the funding for the statue was signed by President Bush on December 1, 2005.{{cite press release|url=http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/il02_jackson/060607FundsForRosaParksStatue.html |title=Jackson Secures Funds For Rosa Parks Statue |access-date=2008-04-21 |publisher=house.gov |author=Watkins, Frank |date=June 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327201153/http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/il02_jackson/060607FundsForRosaParksStatue.html |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-01-rosaparksbill_x.htm|title=Bush signs bill for Rosa Parks statue in Capitol|date=December 1, 2005|access-date=2008-04-21|work=USA TODAY}}

After the 2004 elections, Jackson became vocal in supporting election reform, disliking the way election rules differ across jurisdictions, saying that the U.S. "is founded on the constitutional foundation of 'states' rights'—50 states, 3,067 counties and 13,000 different election jurisdictions, all separate and unequal."{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/47982|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070815200832/http://www.newsweek.com/id/47982|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 15, 2007|title=In Defeat, a Victory?|access-date=2008-04-18|date=January 7, 2005|work=Newsweek|author=Briscoe, Daren}} He was one of the 31 House Democrats who voted to not count the 20 electoral votes from Ohio in the 2004 presidential election, despite Republican President George Bush winning the state by 118,457 votes.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/|title=Bush carries Electoral College after delay|date=January 6, 2005|work=CNN|access-date=December 29, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 7: On Agreeing to the Objection|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll007.xml|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives|access-date=December 24, 2012|date=January 6, 2005}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/politics/ohio-recount-gives-a-smaller-margin-to-bush.html|title = Ohio Recount Gives a Smaller Margin to Bush|newspaper=The New York Times|date = December 29, 2004|last1 = Salvato|first1 = Albert}} He also proposed legislation for uniform voting standards that was supported by black leaders.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/election2004/candidates/sharpton_courts.html |title=Al Sharpton: Courts and Civil Liberties |access-date=2008-04-30 |date=May 4, 2004 |magazine=Time |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041125140230/http://www.time.com/time/election2004/candidates/sharpton_courts.html |archive-date=November 25, 2004 }}

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Jackson and Zach Wamp were spokespersons for the changing the name of the main hall of the United States Capitol Visitor Center from the Great Hall to Emancipation Hall. The Library of Congress's main hall was already designated Great Hall. Some had wanted further feedback on naming possibilities, but the United States House Committee on Appropriations approved the new name, and it passed the House.{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/appropriators-rename-main-cvc-hall-and-ok-funding-for-legislative-branch-2007-06-13.html|title=Appropriators rename main CVC hall and OK funding for legislative branch|access-date=2008-05-23|date=June 13, 2007|work=The Hill|author=McCormack, Kelly|archive-date=January 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120105425/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/appropriators-rename-main-cvc-hall-and-ok-funding-for-legislative-branch-2007-06-13.html|url-status=dead}}

Jackson was one of the liberal leaders who supported a fixed timetable for Iraq troop withdrawals.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_070425.htm |title=W-ashington News |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=April 25, 2007 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231739/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_070425.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }} In 2007, he has also co-sponsored (along with Roy Blunt), legislation providing nearly $1 million to each family that lost someone to the al-Qaida activities in the 1998 United States embassy bombings.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-10-02-3881778286_x.htm|title=House would pay 1998 bomb victims|access-date=2008-04-21|date=October 3, 2007|work=USA TODAY}} In 2007 Jackson voiced an interest in initiating impeachment proceedings against President Bush for "crimes against the Constitution of the United States."{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/07/flood_the_scooter_zone.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008051232/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/07/flood_the_scooter_zone.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2008|title=Flood the Scooter Zone|access-date=2008-04-18|date=July 3, 2007|magazine=Time|author=Bevan, Tom}}

In March 2011, Jackson attracted ridicule for a speech he made on the House floor proposing a constitutional amendment for "equal education rights", which he illustrated by proposing that every student in America receive an iPad from the federal government.[https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/85118-congressman-stands-by-his-proposal-an-ipad-for-every-student/ Congressman stands by his proposal: An iPad for every student] In April 2011, Jackson spoke on the house floor, blaming the iPad for "eliminating thousands of American jobs."{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. blames iPad for higher unemployment |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/04/18/jesse-jackson-jr-blames-ipad-for-higher-unemployment/|work=Chicago Tribune|date=April 18, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2012|first=Rob|last=Manker}} In the February 27, 2007 Chicago municipal elections, Jackson's wife, Sandi Jackson, won the election for Alderman in Chicago's 7th ward.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:DSOB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=117EE282ECC18CD0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Election 2007: Chicago: Corruption hurts Troutman, but Daley gets away unscathed|access-date=2009-02-16|date=February 28, 2007|work=Daily Southtown | first=Jonathan | last=Lipman}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoelections.com/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=65 |access-date=2009-02-16 |publisher=Chicago Board of Elections Commission |year=2007 |title=February, 2007 Municipal – Alderman 7th Ward |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115151315/http://www.chicagoelections.com/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=65 |archive-date=January 15, 2009 }}

File:Jesse Jackson, Jr. DNC 2008.jpg in Denver, Colorado.]]

Jackson gave a prime-time speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention on August 25, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.demconvention.com/jesse-jackson-jr/ |title=U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., IL-2 |access-date=2009-02-16 |date=August 25, 2008 |publisher=Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104001049/http://www.demconvention.com/jesse-jackson-jr/ |archive-date=January 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} During his speech he referenced Martin Luther King Jr., stating, "I'm sure that Dr. King is looking down on us here in Denver noting this is the first political convention in history to take place within sight of a mountain top."{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2008/08/25/prnewswire200808252146PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC31528.html|title=2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Jesse Jackson Jr., Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois|access-date=2008-08-28|date=August 25, 2008|work=Forbes}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/437|title=Jackson sees the mountain top|access-date=2008-08-28|date=August 25, 2008|work=Daily Herald}} Jackson said, "I know Barack Obama. I've seen his leadership at work. I've seen the difference he has made in the lives of people across Illinois."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836041,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827053009/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836041,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2008|title=Telling Obama's American Story|access-date=2008-10-12|date=August 26, 2008|magazine=Time|author=Von Drehle, David}} At the convention, Jackson started what was described as a "hugfest" in an attempt to unite the Illinois Democratic party, which had been squabbling internally. He started by hugging Bobby Rush (who had been upset that Jackson's wife was being positioned for Rush's seat when Rush had been ill earlier in the year) and then he hugged Debbie Halvorson, who had been at odds with him over the proposed airport. He then asked if anyone else was mad at him. At this point Mayor Daley jumped up to hug Jackson. Jackson then said, "I'm not going to be satisfied until I see Rod Blagojevich give Mike Madigan a hug."{{cite news|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/08/illinois-democr.html|title=Illinois Democratic hug fest at convention (with video)|access-date=2008-08-31|date=August 27, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Pearson, Rick}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.southtownstar.com/convention/2008/08/slideshow_update_jesse_jackson.html |title=Slideshow update: Jesse Jackson Jr.'s morning hugfest (with video and slideshow) |access-date=2008-11-15 |date=August 27, 2008 |work=Southtown Star |author=FitzPatrick, Lauren |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716112752/http://blogs.southtownstar.com/convention/2008/08/slideshow_update_jesse_jackson.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}

Before the entire Congress was charged with mitigating the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession, Jackson proposed that the United States Department of Agriculture increase the allotment of food stamps.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/nyregion/22food.html|title=Food Stamps Buy Less; Families Are Hit Hard |access-date=2008-11-21|date=June 22, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Kaufman, Leslie}} During the congressional debates on a federal bailout, Jackson worried about the viability of various plan iterations to his constituents. Although only two years earlier he spoke of Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in glowing terms, he could not support the late-September version of the legislation she was proposing because he felt it contained inadequate homeowner protections.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/washington/01hispanics.html|title=Black and Hispanic Caucuses Resisted Pelosi on Bailout|access-date=2008-11-21|date=September 30, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Archibold, Randal C.}} Although he voted against the bill on September 29, 2008 he voted in support of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 on October 3, 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/10/6/the-bailout-bills-flip-floppers.html |title=The Bailout Bill's Flip-Floppers |access-date=2008-11-22 |date=October 6, 2008 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Mullins, Luke |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108121159/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/10/6/the-bailout-bills-flip-floppers.html |archive-date=November 8, 2008 }} He later expressed concerns in a New York Times op-ed article about the implications that the eventual bill had on enfranchisement due to the lack of protections for homeowners as it relates to voting rights.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE2D7153DF93AA35753C1A96E9C8B63|title=Letter; Protecting Voting Rights|access-date=2008-11-21|date=October 9, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Jackson, Jesse Jr.}} Jackson sponsored legislation to make the Pullman District a National Park Service jurisdiction.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-23/pullman-historical-site-Chicago/53259328/1|title=Chicago's Pullman District could become a national park site|access-date=2012-04-22|date=February 26, 2012|work=USA Today|author=Keen, Judy}} On April 21, 2012, Jackson held a symbolic groundbreaking for the proposed third airport.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-peotone-airport-jesse-jackson-jr.-groundbreaking,0,5236067.story|title=Rep. Jackson holds symbolic groundbreaking for Peotone airport|access-date=2012-04-22|date=April 21, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422072516/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-peotone-airport-jesse-jackson-jr.-groundbreaking,0,5236067.story|archive-date=April 22, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Jackson was also appointed to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/about-the-commission/c/commissioners/jackson/default.aspx |title=Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr. |access-date=2008-04-22 |publisher=Library of Congress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430081801/http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/about-the-commission/c/commissioners/jackson/default.aspx |archive-date=April 30, 2008 }} He was among the scholars and politicians adding commentaries to Lincoln in Illinois which was published by the Abraham Lincoln Association and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/137186|title=Whole Lotta Lincoln: Lincoln's bicentennial will be packed with books, exhibitions, debates, contests and a Spielberg movie|access-date=2008-10-12|date=May 15, 2008|work=Newsweek|author=Springen, Karen}} The book had been expected in the fall but was published in June 2008.{{cite web|url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lincoln-in-Illinois/Octavia-Roberts/e/9780548914311/?itm=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716164233/http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lincoln-in-Illinois/Octavia-Roberts/e/9780548914311/?itm=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-16|title=Lincoln in Illinois|access-date=2008-10-12|year=2008|publisher=Barnesandnoble.com llc}}

On June 10, 2012, Jackson took a medical leave of absence from the House, citing exhaustion.{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/13408948-418/us-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-takes-medical-leave-for-exhaustion.html|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. takes medical leave for 'exhaustion'|access-date=2012-07-05|date=June 25, 2012|work=Chicago Sun-Times|first=Michael|last=Sneed}} On July 11, 2012, Jackson's office said he was being treated for a mood disorder at a residential treatment facility. His office denied speculation that he was being treated for alcoholism.{{cite news|title=Rep. Jackson suffering from "mood disorder"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-jackson-suffering-from-mood-disorder/|work=CBS News|access-date=July 12, 2012}} On August 13, 2012, it was confirmed by numerous news outlets that Jackson was being treated for bipolar disorder.{{Cite magazine |url=https://healthland.time.com/2012/08/16/jesse-jackson-jr-s-bipolar-2-a-diagnosis-muddled-by-the-market/ |title=Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Bipolar 2: A Diagnosis Muddled by the Market |last=Szalavitz |first=Maia |publisher=Time Inc. |magazine=Time |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=2012-08-16}}

In October 2012, federal prosecutors and FBI agents in Washington, D.C., investigated Jackson for alleged financial improprieties, including possible misuse of campaign funds.{{cite news|last=Korecki|first=Natasha|author-link=Natasha Korecki|title=Feds probe 'suspicious activity' in Jesse Jackson Jr.'s finances: sources|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/15716117-418/feds-now-probing-suspicious-activity-in-rep-jesse-jackson-jrs-finances-sources-say.html |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=October 13, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. to resign from Congress|url=http://usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/21/jesse-jackson-jr-resign-congress/1719963/|work=USA Today|access-date=November 21, 2012|first1=Catalina|last1=Camia|first2=Susan|last2=Davis|date=November 21, 2012}} Sixteen days after being re-elected to another term, Jackson resigned effective on November 21, 2012, citing his health problems and acknowledging the ethics investigations.[http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/21/politics/illinois-jackson-resigns/index.html Jesse Jackson Jr. quits Congress, cites health reasons]

Jackson and wife Sandi signed plea agreements in early February 2013. Jackson Jr. agreed to plead guilty to charges of fraud, conspiracy, making false statements, mail fraud, wire fraud, and criminal forfeiture—having used about $750,000 in campaign money for over 3000 personal purchases that included a Michael Jackson fedora and cashmere capes.{{cite news |first1=Katherine |last1=Skiba |first2=Jeff |last2=Coen |first3=Wes |last3=Venteicher |title=Jacksons' guilt a tale of excess |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/02/20/jacksons-guilt-a-tale-of-excess-3/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=2013-02-20}}

The Justice Department filed the charges on February 15, 2013,{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. signs plea deal in federal investigation |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/18098204-418/jesse-jackson-jr-signs-plea-deal-in-federal-investigation.html |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=February 8, 2013}}{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. Charged in Misuse of Campaign Money |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-charged-in-misuse-of-campaign-money.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 15, 2013 |first=Michael S. |last=Schmidt |date=February 15, 2013}} and Jackson pleaded guilty on February 20, 2013, to one count of wire and mail fraud in connection with his misuse of $750,000 of campaign funds. On June 7, 2013, federal prosecutors indicated that they sought a four-year prison sentence for Jackson.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/feds-four-years-in-prison-for-ex-rep-jackson-jr-92421.html|title=Feds: 4 years in prison for ex-Rep. Jackson Jr.|access-date=September 23, 2013|date=June 7, 2013|work=Politico|author1=Bresnahan, John |author2=Josh Gerstein}} On August 14, 2013, Jackson was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, while wife Sandi was sentenced to 12 months in prison for filing false tax returns in an attempt to conceal the crimes.{{cite news|url=http://us.cnn.com/2013/08/14/justice/jesse-jackson-jr-sentencing/index.html?hpt=hp_t2|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. going to prison; says he 'manned up'|author1=Merica, Dan |author2=Lazo, Larry |author3=Bentz, Leslie |date=August 14, 2013|publisher=CNN|access-date=August 15, 2013}} Their sentences were not concurrent; Jackson served his, and after his release she served hers. The staggered sentences allowed for the Jackson children to have access to one parent during the time the other was in prison.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-sentenced-to-30-months.html|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. Gets 30 Months, and His Wife 12, to Be Served at Separate Times|access-date=September 23, 2013|date=August 15, 2013|work=The New York Times|author=Southall, Ashley}}

On October 26, 2013, Jackson reported to the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, near Raleigh, North Carolina, to begin serving his sentence.{{cite web|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/28/21220938-ex-congressman-jesse-jackson-jr-checks-in-to-famous-federal-prison-in-nc|title=Jesse Jackson Jr.}}

On March 26, 2015, Jackson was released from the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp, Montgomery in Montgomery, Alabama, to serve the rest of his sentence at a halfway house (the Volunteers of America Chesapeake facility in Baltimore, Maryland). After being released, Jackson was required to complete another three years on supervised release and perform 500 hours of community service.Scott Neuman, [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/03/26/395493452/former-illinois-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-released-from-prison Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Released From Prison], NPR (March 26, 2015).[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-jesse-jackson-jr-prison-release-met-0327-20150326-story.html Katherine Skiba, Jesse Jackson Jr. arrives at halfway house, asks for 'a second chance'], Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2015. He was released in the morning of June 22, 2015, after spending three months serving his remaining sentence in a halfway house.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150622/NEWS02/150629995/jesse-jackson-jr-released-from-halfway-house |title=Jesse Jackson Jr. leaves halfway house for D.C. home|publisher=Chicagobusiness.com|date=2015-06-22|access-date=2020-05-14}}

Jackson reluctantly supported Al Gore when he became the Democratic presidential nominee, saying Gore and his running mate Joe Lieberman were not liberal enough but that he supported Gore as the only alternative to George W. Bush. Jackson criticized Lieberman and the campaign for emphasizing the importance of personal morality in American politicians.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDF1E3FF936A2575BC0A9669C8B63|title= The Democrats: The Legacy; Like His Father, Jesse Jackson Jr. Raises Voice for the Left|access-date=2008-04-20|date=August 15, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Sack, Kevin}} Nevertheless, Jackson indicated he would persuade liberal voters unenthusiastic about Gore to support the Democratic ticket, rather than Green Party nominee Ralph Nader.{{Cite web|title=The Legacy: Like His Father, Jesse Jackson Jr. Raises Voice for the Left|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/081500dem-cvn-jackson.html|access-date=2021-11-10|website=archive.nytimes.com}}

Despite his criticism of the Gore campaign, Jackson was still mentioned as a possible appointee for United States Secretary of Education if Gore was elected.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DE0DC1031F935A15753C1A9669C8B63|title= Essay; The Great Mentioning|access-date=2008-04-20|date=October 26, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Saffire, William}}

Chicago is the largest American city without mayoral term limits,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1581098,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124163616/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1581098,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2007|title=In Chicago, the Dynasty Rolls On|access-date=2008-04-18|date=January 22, 2007|magazine=Time|author=Cole, Wendy}} and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley started his mayoral tenure in 1989.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/45222|title=Daley's Reign: Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley discusses the Wal-Mart controversy, the fall elections and his city's Olympic bid.|access-date=2008-04-18|date=October 5, 2006|work=Newsweek|author=Gerlach, David}} Jackson held press conferences less frequently than his father.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/50625|title=Battle of the Scions?: Jesse Jackson Jr. Eyes a Run at Chicago's Mayor |access-date=2008-04-18|date=July 25, 2005|work=Newsweek}} After making a formal announcement in 2006 with a press conference, Jackson was considered a strong potential candidate to oppose Daley in the municipal election on February 27, 2007. He stated on September 7, 2006, that his final decision would come after the Congressional election in November.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E4DE1731F934A3575AC0A9609C8B63|series= National Briefing |title=Midwest: Illinois: Jackson's Son Considers Bid For Mayor|access-date=2008-04-20|work=The New York Times|date=September 7, 2006}} Jackson had built up a more moderate reputation than his father and had support that transcended racial lines. Jackson viewed his broad based support as a sign that the U.S. had advanced to the point where politicians from ethnic minorities could appeal to broad constituencies.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/65787|title=A New Kind of Race: Minority Candidates Were Once Confined To The 'Ethnic Ghetto.' These Days, They Are Reaching Far Beyond|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 30, 2002|work=Newsweek|author=Cose, Ellis}}

After more than a decade in the national political spotlight he had maintained an untarnished image, unlike his troubled 2nd district predecessors Mel Reynolds and Gus Savage, and had challenged Daley on several issues on the local political scene. Jackson supported the living wage legislation that had been hotly contested in the Chicago City Council, and he has been an ardent backer of the long-proposed third Chicago airport in Peotone, Illinois, placing him at odds with Daley on both issues.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1534721,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903192405/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1534721,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2010|title=How Daley's Minimum Wage Victory Could Mean Defeat|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 13, 2006|magazine=Time|author=Ferkenhoff, Eric}} He also railed against Daley over a trucking contract scandal involving city workers' collecting payoffs. At the time, the Mayor had recently exercised the first veto in his seventeen-year mayoral term to thwart a big box retailer city minimum wage bill from the City Council despite the bill's public popularity.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060917/25cross.htm |title=Cross Country |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=June 26, 2005 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231723/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060917/25cross.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}

There were always doubts about the seriousness of Jackson's interest in the Mayor's office. On November 8, 2006, Jackson reported that he would not pursue a 2007 mayoral campaign in Chicago:

{{blockquote|... as you know Democrats are now poised to take control of the Congress for the first time in my eleven-year career. More than any time since I took my initial oath of office, I am excited, I am eager, and I am downright giddy about the prospects of being in Washington. Washington will be the place to be in the next two years, and maybe even the foreseeable future. For me this means an unprecedented opportunity to help lead this country in a new and a better direction and to help serve my constituents, my hometown of Chicago and my state of Illinois. So I will not be a candidate for the mayor of the city of Chicago in 2007.{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2006/11/the_lure_of_the_majority.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116054131/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2006/11/the_lure_of_the_majority.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2006|title=The Lure of the Majority|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 13, 2006|magazine=Time|author=Bevan, Tom}}}}

Jackson was speculated as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004, but declined to run and instead became one of Barack Obama's early supporters.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/56224|title='The Audacity of Hope': Barack Obama: The Dems' Freshest Face Has a New Challenge: To Help His Party Relocate Its Moral Core. Meet Him—And Nine Others Who Will Shape Our World|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 27, 2004|work=Newsweek|author=Alter, Jonathan}} He endorsed Howard Dean for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, joining Al Gore in saying Dean was the most likely candidate in the primary to beat Bush.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505EFDA143FF93AA25751C1A9659C8B63|title= Some Democrats Uneasy About Dean as Nominee|access-date=2008-04-20|date=December 19, 2003|work=The New York Times|author1=Seelye, Katharine Q. |author2=Robin Toner}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05EEDB1E31F93BA15753C1A9659C8B63|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Throws His Support to Dean|access-date=2008-04-20|date=October 28, 2003|work=The New York Times|author=Wilgoren, Jodi}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B05E2D7143DF936A35751C1A9659C8B63|title= Sharpton Runs for Presidency, and Influence|access-date=2008-04-25|date=December 5, 2003|work=The New York Times|author=Slackman, Michael}} The endorsement was a bitter blow to the hopes of candidate Al Sharpton, who had hoped for endorsements from both Jackson and his father.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200407/bowden2|title=Pompadour With a Monkey Wrench|access-date=2008-04-22 |date=July–August 2004|work=Atlantic Monthly|author=Bowden, Mark}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2003-11-30/no-wonder-howard-dean-is-so-angry |title=No Wonder Howard Dean Is So Angry |date=December 1, 2003 |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |author=Scotti, Ciro |access-date=October 18, 2015}}

Jackson was a national co-chairman of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. As such, he is involved in garnering support from the superdelegates.{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/03/what_obama_should_say.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321173416/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/03/what_obama_should_say.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 21, 2008|title=What Obama Should Say|access-date=2008-04-18|date=March 18, 2008|magazine=Time|author=Dvorak, Blake}} During the campaign, he provided the voice for some advertisements such as one South Carolina radio ad in which he said: "Once, South Carolina voted for my father, and sent a strong message to the nation, ... Next year, you can send more than a message. You can launch a president.'"{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_071024.htm |title=Washington News |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=October 24, 2007 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402100133/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_071024.htm |archive-date=April 2, 2008 }} When describing Obama, he stated that "Barack Obama is not speaking as a friend of the community; he's part of the community ... He doesn't always tell people what they want to hear. He tells them what they need to hear.'" During the campaign, he described Obama as the first "successor" of Martin Luther King Jr. to use the thoughtful and careful approach to language to frame social debate in a way that is unlikely to alienate whites and noted his ability to get various factions to agree with him and his political positions.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E3DE153EF93BA35755C0A96E9C8B63|title=Color Test; Where Whites Draw the Line |access-date=2008-11-21|date=June 8, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Mabry, Marcus}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/us/politics/11chicago.html|title=The Long Run: Pragmatic Politics, Forged on the South Side |access-date=2008-11-21|date=May 11, 2008|work=The New York Times|author1=Becker, Jo |author2=Christopher Drew}}

Jackson had a lengthy relationship with Obama. Obama's Illinois State Senate 13th district that he served from 1997 to 2005 was within Jackson's district. Jackson's sister Santita was a close friend of Michelle Obama and served as a bridesmaid at the Obama wedding. In 2008, Jackson's father, Jesse Jackson, wrote an op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times attacking presidential candidate Obama for his lack of activist involvement;{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11D2FCEBD7ADF360&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Most Democratic candidates are ignoring African Americans – It is no longer acceptable for candidates to turn a blind eye to discrimination|access-date=2008-04-24|date=November 27, 2007|author=Jackson, Jesse|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author-link=Jesse Jackson}} Jackson Junior responded sharply in the same paper with a defense of Obama.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/politics/29obama.html|title=A Biracial Candidate Walks His Own Fine Line|access-date=2008-04-20|date=December 29, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Scott, Janny}}{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/678092,CST-EDT-vox03.article |title=Jesse Jr. to Jesse Sr.: You're wrong on Obama, dad |access-date=2008-04-24 |date=December 3, 2007 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206162245/http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/678092%2CCST-EDT-vox03.article |archive-date=December 6, 2007 }}{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011102000_2.html|title= As Obama Rises, Old Guard Civil Rights Leaders Scowl|access-date=2008-05-27|date=January 13, 2008|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Cobb, William Jelani}}

On July 6, 2008, Jackson's father said he thought Obama talks down to black people, and unaware he was near a live microphone offhandedly commented that he would like to "cut [Obama's] nuts off". Jackson Junior quickly expressed his outrage at and disappointment in his father's "ugly rhetoric".{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/09/jesse.jackson.comment/index.html|title=Jackson apologizes for 'crude' Obama remarks|access-date=2008-07-11|publisher=CNN|date=July 9, 2008}} Jackson's father said he was expressing his disappointment in Obama's Father's Day speech chastisement of Black fathers.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/magazine/10politics-t.html|title=Is Obama the End of Black Politics? |access-date=2008-11-21|date=August 6, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Bai, Matt}}

Jackson emerged as a possible candidate to replace Barack Obama, who, after being elected President of the United States on November 4, 2008, officially resigned his seat in the U.S. Senate effective November 16.{{cite news|date=November 6, 2008|access-date=2009-02-12|work=Chicago Tribune|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-il-obamasuccessor,0,5588285.story|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090209075933/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-il-obamasuccessor,0,5588285.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2009|title=Obama's victory leaves Ill. Senate seat in limbo|author=Conrad, Dennis}} The class 3 Illinois Senate seat was up for re-election in 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06successor.html|title=Election Creates a Race to Fill Senate Vacancies|access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 5, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Saulny, Susan}} Other contenders included Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky, Tammy Duckworth, Emil Jones Jr., Kwame Raoul, Dan Hynes, and Lisa Madigan, while other sources also mentioned Luis Gutierrez and Melissa Bean.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/obamas-replacement-blagoj_n_141561.html|title=Obama's Replacement: Blagojevich Mulls Senate Pick|access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 5, 2008|work=HuffPost|first=Ben|last=Goldberger}} One early name mentioned, Valerie Jarrett, withdrew her name from consideration and both Davis and Duckworth noted that they had not been contacted by the governor's office by the time Obama announced his resignation on November 13, 2008.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1859020,00.html |title=Obama to Resign Senate Seat on Sunday |access-date=2008-11-22 |date=November 13, 2008 |magazine=Time |author=Sidoti, Liz |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122143031/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0%2C8599%2C1859020%2C00.html |archive-date=November 22, 2008 }} In a radio interview on the subject, Jackson cited his record on federal funding for his district, loyalty to Obama and diligence in voting in the U.S. House.{{cite news|date=November 8, 2008|publisher=NPR| work=Weekend Edition|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96778324|title=Jesse Jackson Jr.: Obama, Civil Rights And Illinois}} At the time, Obama was the only black U.S. Senator,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21justice.html|title=Obama Calls for Ouster of Official After Remark|access-date=2008-12-17|date=October 21, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Zeleny, Jeff}} and black leaders pressured Blagojevich to appoint a black successor. The Chicago Defender and Southtown Star both endorsed Jackson, who noted that public opinion polls show him as the favorite. The selection was coming at a time when the Governor's public approval ratings were at an all-time low, which added to the pressure for him to make a selection that would be good for his own political perception,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/politics/13successor.html|title=Picking Obama Successor Puts Spotlight on Governor |access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 12, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Davey, Monica}} and it was believed that Jackson's constituency was one that the Governor might need to appease. Although Obama and Duckworth laid a wreath together on Veterans Day, Obama did not endorse a successor.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DE4DD1E30F937A25752C1A96E9C8B63|title=On The White House; If the Senate Reconvenes, Two Seats May Be Empty |access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 14, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Baker, Peter}} However, in an internal report filed by Obama legal advisor Greg Craig, "Obama authorized Emanuel to pass on the names of four people he considered to be highly qualified to take over his seat – Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr."{{cite news|url=http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/12/24/news/a7-obama-blago.txt |title=Obama, top aides spoke with feds in corruption case |date=December 24, 2008 |access-date=2009-02-13 |agency=Associated Press |work=New Haven Register |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215195640/http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/12/24/news/a7-obama-blago.txt |archive-date=February 15, 2012 }}

On November 27, 2008, Blagojevich hinted that Davis might be his choice.{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1303920,CST-NWS-senate28.article |title=Blagojevich trumpets 'Sen. Davis' but says he hasn't decided on seat |access-date=2008-12-01 |date=November 28, 2008 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |author=Ihejirika, Maudlyne |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201045220/http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1303920%2CCST-NWS-senate28.article |archive-date=December 1, 2008 }} On December 6, the Chicago Tribune reported that Jackson was among the minority of potential candidates who had not been granted a meeting with Blagojevich on the subject,{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-probedec06,0,4086543.story|title=Fellow Democrats are saying Gov. Rod Blagojevich's scandals could politically taint his selection for senator: Spotlight on Senate selection as pressure mounts|access-date=2008-12-07|date=December 6, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Pearson, Rick}} but two days later Blagojevich granted Jackson a meeting.{{cite news|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/12/blagojevich-not.html|title=Blagojevich: 'Nothing but sunshine hanging over me'|access-date=2008-12-09|date=December 8, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Garcia, Monique}} On December 9, the day after a 90-minute meeting that Jackson described as his first meeting with Blagojevich in years,{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/il02_jackson/morenews/081209CongressmanJacksonShockedByGovernorArrest.shtml |title=Congressman Jackson Is Shocked By Governor's Arrest |access-date=2008-12-10 |date=December 9, 2008 |publisher=house.gov |author=Jackson, Jesse Jr. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212030358/http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/il02_jackson/morenews/081209CongressmanJacksonShockedByGovernorArrest.shtml |archive-date=December 12, 2008 }} the Rod Blagojevich federal corruption scandal became public when the Governor was arrested.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/173227|title='A Senate Seat on Ebay': Inside the case against Illinois Gov. Blagojevich|access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 9, 2008|work=Newsweek|author=Johnson Dirk}} On December 10, Jackson was contacted by federal prosecutors for questioning with regard to the scandal involving Governor Blagojevich's search for a replacement. The press speculated that Jackson was "Senate Candidate #5", for whom it is alleged by Blagojevich that emissaries offered up to a million dollars in exchange for the appointment. Jackson, however, denies any wrongdoing, and says that the U.S. Attorney's office assured him that he is not a target of the investigation.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/story?id=6431739&page=1|title=Sources Say Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is 'Senate Candidate #5'|access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 10, 2008|work=ABC News|author=Ross, Brian}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/12/jackson-ive-done-nothing-wrong-014720|title=Jackson: "I've done nothing wrong"|access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 10, 2008|work=Politico}} In a press conference, his lawyer confirmed his belief that Jackson is candidate No. 5, but asserted that he has done nothing wrong.{{cite web|url=http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/jacksons_lawyer_i_assume_hes_c.php |title=Jackson's Lawyer: I "Assume" He's Candidate 5 |access-date=2008-12-10 |date=December 10, 2008 |publisher=TPM Media LLC |work=TPM Muckraker |author=Roth, Zachary |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215075902/http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/jacksons_lawyer_i_assume_hes_c.php |archive-date=December 15, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/10/us/AP-Illinois-Governor-Jackson.html|title=Attorney: US Rep. Jesse Jackson Is 'Candidate 5' |access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 10, 2008|work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}} Immediately thereafter, in his own news conference, Jackson confirmed that he is a subject and not a target of the investigation and emphatically stated his opposition to "pay to play" politics.{{cite web|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=news-000002995817 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215055648/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=news-000002995817 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2008 |title=CQ Transcript: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Holds Press Conference on Blagojevich Affair |access-date=2008-12-10 |date=December 10, 2008 |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |work=CQPolitics |df=mdy }} On December 16, a Jackson spokesperson confirmed special federal investigators have been questioning him since the summer.{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/6557529/|title=Jackson Jr. May Have Been Working With Feds|access-date=2008-12-17|date=December 15, 2008|publisher=ABC Inc., WLS-TV/DT Chicago, Illinois|author=Thomas, Charles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217050645/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=6557529|archive-date=December 17, 2008|url-status=live}} Also WLS-TV reported December 15 that Jackson has notified investigators that Blagojevich refused to appoint Sandi Jackson, his wife, as state lottery director because Jackson refused to donate $25,000 to the governor's campaign fund. Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds clarified that although Jackson had been a federal informant for over a decade,{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/16/breaking-jackson-jr-an-informant-to-us-attorney-investigation/|title=Jackson Jr. an informant to Blago investigations|access-date=2008-12-18|date=December 16, 2008|publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP.|work=CNN.com|archive-date=December 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217140524/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/16/breaking-jackson-jr-an-informant-to-us-attorney-investigation/|url-status=dead}} never did his cooperation concern the current investigation into the Senate seat.{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1342777,CST-NWS-watchdog22.article |title=What Really Happened with Jackson Jr., Feds |access-date=2009-02-13 |date=December 22, 2008 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |author1=Fusco, Chris |author2=Tim Novak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207014738/http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1342777%2CCST-NWS-watchdog22.article |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

Although Blagojevich's corruption was reported to have been under federal investigation, journalist Howard Fineman of the Huffington Post allegedly has sources that claim Jackson attributes the Obama replacement case to Obama's neutral stance. According to Fineman's reported source, Jackson felt if Obama had endorsed him, Blagojevich would have selected Jackson.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/173437|title=What Jesse Jr. Wants: Surfing Blagojevich's wake on Chicago's South Side.|access-date=2008-12-12|date=December 10, 2008|work=Newsweek|author=Fineman, Howard}} When the scandal first broke, the reaction was that Jackson's reputation was sullied to the point that his viability as a senatorial candidate was diminished.{{cite web|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29959&s=rcmp#continueA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207061853/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29959&s=rcmp#continueA|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2010|title=ENPR: Illinois, Colorado, and New York Senate Vacancies Kick Off 2010 Race|access-date=2009-02-13|date=December 17, 2008|author=Carney, Timothy P. Timothy P.|work=Human Events}} However, reports that Jackson has been a longtime federal information provider has led political allies to continue to speak of his viability as a candidate.{{cite news|url=http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/12/17/pinkerton_senate/|title=A 'Black' Senate Seat?|access-date=2009-02-13|date=December 17, 2008|author=Pinkerton, James P.|publisher=Fox News Channel}} After much controversy, Roland Burris was successfully nominated by Blagojevich.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28625592|title=Senate Dems expect to seat Burris Thursday: Burris: 'I really never doubted that I would be seated'|access-date=2009-01-14|date=January 13, 2009|work=NBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/01/13/roland-burris-to-be-sworn-in-as-senator-on-thursday/|title=Roland Burris to Be Sworn in as Senator on Thursday|access-date=2009-01-14|date=January 13, 2009|work=The Wall Street Journal|author=Davis, Susan}}

In 2009, Jackson was named one of the 15 most corrupt members of Congress by the liberal Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington for his role in the scandal.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Burris-Jackson-Are-Among-Most-Corrupt-59469232.html|title=Burris, Jackson Are Among "Most Corrupt" |access-date=2009-09-28|work=The Black Collegian Magazine|author=Bartosik, Matt|date=September 16, 2009 }} On September 21, 2010, Jackson addressed a claim by businessman Raghuveer Nayak to the FBI that Jackson purchased plane tickets for a woman Nayak identified as a "social acquaintance" of Jackson, "The reference to a social acquaintance is a private and personal matter between me and my wife that was handled some time ago," Jackson said. "I ask that you respect our privacy."{{cite news|work=BET|title=Jackson Jr. denies report about Blagojevich funds|author=Babwin, Don|agency=Associated Press|date=September 21, 2010|url=https://www.bet.com/article/cmzezs/jackson-jr-denies-report-about-blagojevich-funds}}

In September 2010, fundraiser Nayak was mentioned in the press as having been an alleged go between for Jackson and Blagojevich with the message that Jackson would help Blagojevich raise $6 million in exchange for the Senate appointment.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/us/politics/22brfs-CONGRESSMAND_BRF.html|title=Illinois: Congressman Denies Dealing for Senate Seat|access-date=2011-10-19|date=September 21, 2010|author=Fitzsimmons, Emma Graves|work=The New York Times}} The allegations became the subject of a Congressional ethics investigation.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-jackson-facing-mounting-calls-to-explain-illness-extended-absence/|title=Rep. Jackson facing mounting calls to explain illness, extended absence|access-date=2012-07-11|date=July 11, 2012|author=Weber, Joseph|publisher=Fox News Channel}}

In December 1999, he co-authored It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams.{{cite book|title=It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams|isbn=978-0-8129-3296-6|publisher=Random House, Incorporated|author1=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr|author2=Jesse L. Jackson Sr.|year=1999|url=https://archive.org/details/itsaboutmoneyt00jack}} The book is a self-help book with directions for achieving personal financial independence.{{cite web |url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=081293296X#EXC |title=It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams |access-date=2008-04-19 |publisher=Random House, Incorporated }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The book is targeted toward people of limited means.{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E6DB113EF931A25751C1A96F958260 |title= Trickle-Down Civil Rights|access-date=2008-04-19|date=December 12, 1999|work=The New York Times |author=Packer, George}} In the fall of 2001, he co-authored Legal Lynching: The Death Penalty and America's Future, also known as Legal Lynching II.{{cite book|title=Legal Lynching II|isbn=978-1-56584-685-2|publisher=New Press|author=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr., Jesse L. Jackson Sr., and Bruce Shapiro|year=2001|url=https://archive.org/details/legallynchingdea00jack}} With coauthors, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jackson Jr., and Bruce Shapiro, the anti-death penalty voice was heard very publicly.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,171602,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030134942/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,171602,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2010|title=Galley Girl: Moon Unit Zappa Edition|access-date=2008-04-18|date=August 16, 2001|magazine=Time|author=Sachs, Andrea}} The book was published, at a time when public opposition to the death penalty was at a historically high level, by two of America's most prominent civil rights leaders.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewpress.com/index.php?option=com_title&task=view_title&metaproductid=1426|title=Legal Lynching|access-date=2008-04-18|publisher=The New Press}} It was a follow-up to Legal Lynching: Racism, Injustice and the Death Penalty,{{cite book|title=Legal Lynching: Racism, Injustice and the Death Penalty|isbn=1-56924-761-7|publisher=Marlowe & Co.|author=Jackson, Jesse L. Sr.|year=1996|url=https://archive.org/details/legallynchingrac00jack}} which was released in 1996 by Jackson Sr. In 2001, Jackson Jr. authored A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights, with his press secretary, Frank Watkins.{{cite book|title=A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights|isbn=1-56649-186-X|year=2001|publisher=Welcome Rain Publisher|author1=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr.|author2=Frank Watkins|url=https://archive.org/details/moreperfectunion00jack}} The book outlines his moral and political philosophies, and it provides an autobiographical sketch.{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J3EGQM|title=A More Perfect Union (Hardcover) |date=October 15, 2001 |publisher=Welcome Rain |access-date=2008-04-21 }} It provides analysis on the link between race and economics from colonial America to the present with a vision for the future.{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/rthg/chap1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816055050/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/rthg/chap1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2007|title=Rally on the High Ground|access-date=2008-04-21|publisher=National Park Service|date=May 17, 2001|author=Stanton, Robert G.}} In addition to the analysis, it provides eight proposed constitutional amendments that Jackson sees as essential to pursuit of broader social and economic opportunity.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F07FAAF0BEBA83F&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= 8 steps to equality – New book by Rep. Jackson offers bold strategy for improving the lives of everyday Americans|access-date=2008-05-23|date=December 11, 2001|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Dyson, Michael Eric}} Since the publication of this book, Jackson has refined these and formally proposed these constitutional amendments.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FCB396BC59CF515&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= Rep. Jackson keeps pen busy with changes for Constitution|access-date=2008-09-17|date=August 3, 2003|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Thomas, John D.}}

File:Sandi Jackson.jpg]]

During the 1988 presidential campaign, Jackson met his future wife, Sandi Stevens, who was press secretary for United States Congressman Mickey Leland.Jackson and Watkins, p. 36. After her first year at Georgetown University Law Center, the couple decided public higher education was more affordable and jointly enrolled at the University of Illinois College of Law. While still law students, they married on June 1, 1991.Jackson and Watkins, p. 37. Jackson and Sandi have two children, Jesse III ("Tre") and Jessica and keep two homes. They own one in the South Shore community area, which is within both the 2nd district that Congressman Jackson represented in the United States House of Representatives and within the seventh ward that his wife represented on the Chicago City Council as Alderman. The South Shore home serves as an election base for himself and candidates he has supported, for which he claims a 13–0 record in public elections. The South Shore home was the featured renovation on an HGTV Hidden Potential episode, first aired on March 24, 2009. The Jacksons also own a home in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., which served as the family home and base for his service in Congress.

Jackson's earliest public controversy came when he was linked to alleged Nigerian drug trafficker Pius Ailemen. Ailemen was supposed to be Jackson's best man at his 1991 wedding, but canceled at the last minute due to supposed passport-related issues. Jackson and Aileman were investigated by the FBI; the investigation and court proceedings extended for several years. A wiretap recorded many conversations between the two, and financial records indicate that Ailemen had purchased an Alfa Romeo using a $13,000 charge on Jackson's credit card.{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.niu.edu/1996/ii960312.html|title=Jesse Junior: Making a name for himself|access-date=2008-05-29|date=March 1996|author=Simpson, Burney|publisher=Illinois State Library|work=Illinois Periodicals Online}} Ailemen was sentenced to 24 years and four months in jail.{{cite web|url=http://www.law.com/regionals/ca/stories/020613b.shtml |title=9th Circuit May Let Ailemen Sentence Stand |author=Hoppin, Jason |access-date=2008-05-29 |date=June 13, 2002 |publisher=ALM Properties, Inc. |work=Cal Law |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017181507/http://www.law.com/regionals/ca/stories/020613b.shtml |archive-date=October 17, 2008 }} In 2003, Ailemen was denied petition for a writ of certiorari. Ailemen's current motion questions Jackson's activities as a government informant at the time of his testimony in Ailemen's trial.{{cite web|url=http://supreme.lp.findlaw.com/supreme_court/orders/2002/022403pzor.html|title=Supreme Court Orders|access-date=2008-05-29|date=February 24, 2003|work=FindLaw}}

Jackson acknowledges that he has had the benefits of privilege and opportunity and says that his hobbies include fencing, hunting and fishing, especially salmon fishing.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1DF1739F937A25751C1A963958260|title= Victory His, Jesse Jackson Jr. Heads to Congress|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 14, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Johnson, Dirk}} He often enjoys these hobbies in bipartisan friendships that include Dick Armey and regarded the late Republican Rep. Henry Hyde as one of his closest friends. In fact, Armey points to Jackson as an example of his ability to work with politicians at all ends of the political spectrum.{{cite news |title= The Way We Live Now: 9-1-02: Questions For Dick Armey; Retiring, Not Shy |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E05E7DB1E3CF932A3575AC0A9649C8B63|access-date=2008-04-20|date=September 1, 2002|work=The New York Times|last= Tapper |first= Jake}} Jackson also has a very good relationship with Republican United States President George W. Bush despite their sharp ideological differences.{{cite web|url=http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2007/01/24/and-then-the-president-hugged-me-and-kissed-me-and-for-one-magical-moment-i-felt-just-like-joe-lieberman.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104090257/http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2007/01/24/and-then-the-president-hugged-me-and-kissed-me-and-for-one-magical-moment-i-felt-just-like-joe-lieberman.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |title=And Then The President Hugged Me. And Kissed Me. And For One Magical Moment, I Felt Just Like Joe Lieberman |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=January 24, 2007 |work=Newsweek |author=Bailey, Holly }} The relationship traces back to when Jackson Sr. and United States President-Elect George H. W. Bush met to discuss a range of issues while Jackson Jr. and his siblings Santita and Jonathan had an hour-and-a-half luncheon with future President George W.{{cite news|title= Washington Talk; Bush and Jackson Seek Common Ground| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2DA113BF932A35751C1A96E948260|access-date=2008-04-25|date=December 1, 1988|work=The New York Times |last= Weinraub| first= Bernard}} He also developed a relationship with Bill and Hillary Clinton that enabled him to watch Super Bowl XXXIII at Camp David with them.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/community/transcripts/1999/020199jackson.html |title=Transcripts: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. |access-date=2008-04-30 |date=February 1, 1999 |publisher=Time, Inc./Yahoo! Chat |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401080217/http://www.time.com/time/community/transcripts/1999/020199jackson.html |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

In March 2005, Jackson revealed that he had lost {{convert|50|lb|kg st|1}} due to bariatric surgery. In Ebony, Joe Madison revealed that when he and Jackson were on a panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation conference he asked Jackson why he looked so different. He stated that Jackson described having undergone a duodenal switch medical procedure that his sister, Santita, had used to lose {{convert|200|lb|kg st|1}} over several years.{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5391/is_200801/ai_n21301360|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925025649/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5391/is_200801/ai_n21301360/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-09-25|title=What rich black folks do, poor black folks copy|access-date=2008-04-27|publisher=CNET Networks, Inc.|work=New African|date=January 2008|author=Orakwue, Stella}}

Jackson is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. In 2006, when Jackson became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Nu Pi chapter, the Illinois House of Representatives issued a congratulatory resolution to his father.{{cite web|url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?GAID=8&SessionID=50&GA=94&DocTypeID=HR&DocNum=1492&LegID=26366&SpecSess=&Session=|title=Full Text of HR1492 |access-date=2008-04-27 |publisher=Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Information System}} Jesse Sr. is also a member of the Omega fraternity. Jackson Jr. delivered the keynote address to the fraternity at the November 18, 2006 Founder's Day gathering.{{cite web|url=http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=7651 |title=The Enduring and Everlasting Call to Omega |access-date=2008-04-28 |date=November 18, 2006 |publisher=Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress |author=Jackson, Jesse Jr. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909202417/http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=7651 |archive-date=September 9, 2008 }} He is also affiliated with the Theta Epsilon chapter.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetaepsilonchapter.com/u4/dir_byname_asc?page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215001/http://www.thetaepsilonchapter.com/u4/dir_byname_asc?page=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-03|title=Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Theta Epsilon Chapter|access-date=2008-04-27|publisher=Kappa Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. |year=2007}}

Jackson is a martial arts enthusiast who practices kung fu, tae kwon do, and karate.{{cite web|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080918162921/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10094526 |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10094526 |title=Jesse Jackson: Lee Terry was aggressor |access-date=2008-04-22 |work=Omaha World-Herald |last=Morton |first=Joseph |date=August 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }} On August 1, 2007, Jackson got into a verbal disagreement with Rep. Lee Terry, a Republican from Nebraska on the House floor. Jackson stated in floor debate that "Republicans can't be trusted" and Terry responded with "shut up" before approaching Jackson. Jackson then spoke profanities and challenged Terry to step outside, presumably for a physical fight. Steve Rothman helped avoid escalation to actual physical confrontation.{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10093488 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20070818015728/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10093488 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2007 |title=Lee Terry, Jackson go toe-to-toe on House floor |access-date=2008-04-22 |work=Omaha World-Herald |last=Morton |first=Joseph |date=August 2, 2007 }} Martial artists throughout the Omaha, Nebraska area (Terry's district) called to inquire about Jackson's mindset and intentions. Jackson says Terry was the instigator. Terry says Jackson was at fault, but the two shook hands the next day and agreed to move forward in the interest of their constituents.{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/rep_jackson_jr_and_lee_terry_s.html |title=Rep. Jackson Jr. and Lee Terry, Still Spatting |access-date=2008-04-22 |date=August 3, 2007 |work=The Sleuth |author=Akers, Mary Ann |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905121644/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/rep_jackson_jr_and_lee_terry_s.html |archive-date=September 5, 2008 }} However, a week later an unidentified man who claimed to be a Jackson relative walked into Terry's Omaha office saying he was Jackson's hitman who had come to beat up Terry, which led to FBI involvement.{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/third_party_enters_spat_betwee.html |title=Third Party Enters Spat Between Reps. Jackson Jr. and Lee Terry |access-date=2008-04-22 |date=August 9, 2007 |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Akers |first=Mary Ann |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013100244/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/third_party_enters_spat_betwee.html |archive-date=October 13, 2008 }}

He used a battery-powered, GPS-equipped Segway in Washington. Jackson, who missed two votes in his first thirteen years in Congress, quipped that the Segway helped him to maintain his good voting record.{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/health/nutrition/12fitness.html|title=Counting Steps, Not Votes, on Capitol Hill| access-date=2008-08-27|date=June 12, 2008| work=The New York Times |last= Parker |first= Ashley}}

On July 12, 2012, Jackson's office acknowledged that he had been absent from Congress since June 10, stating that he was receiving "intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder."Monica Davey, [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/us/for-a-soaring-political-career-uncertain-turns.html For a Soaring Political Career, Uncertain Turns], The New York Times, July 11, 2012. After weeks of the public's not knowing where the Congressman was, his office announced on July 27, 2012, that he was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, undergoing an extensive inpatient evaluation for depression and for gastrointestinal issues.{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. in Mayo Clinic for depression|newspaper=USA Today|date=July 28, 2012 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-27/Jesse-Jackson-Jr-depression/56548528/1|access-date=July 28, 2012}} On August 13, 2012 the Mayo Clinic released a statement that Jackson was being treated for bipolar II disorder.{{cite news|title=Rep. Jackson Jr. treated for bipolar disorder| newspaper=USA Today |date= August 13, 2012| url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/08/jesse-jackson-jr-bipolar-disorder-/1|access-date=August 13, 2012}}

On July 14, 2016, Jackson filed for divorce from his wife in Cook County, Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-jesse-jackson-divorce-trial-date-met-0725-20170725-story.html |title=Ex-Rep. Jesse Jackson divorce trial date set after 'mediation was not successful' |date=July 25, 2017 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=2019-02-20}} They reached a settlement in April 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-jackson-divorce-settlement-20180413-story.html |title=Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson reach settlement in contentious divorce case |date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=2019-02-20}}

• Jackson, Jesse L. Jr., with Frank E. Watkins, A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights, Welcome Rain Publishers: New York, 2001, {{ISBN|1-56649-186-X}}.

• List of African-American United States representatives
• List of American federal politicians convicted of crimes
• List of federal political scandals in the United States

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100815082354/http://jackson.house.gov/ U.S. Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr.] official U.S. House website
• [http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/ Jesse Jackson Jr. Congressman] official campaign website
• {{CongLinks | congbio=j000283 | votesmart=72 | fec=H6IL02124 | congress= }}
• {{C-SPAN|39073}}
• [http://www.answers.com/topic/jesse-jackson-jr-1 Biography] at Answers.com

;Articles

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20051023162759/http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/2002/12/30_Jackson.html Interview: Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr.], Buzzflash, December 30, 2002
• Jackson Jr., Jesse [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060206/jackson The Right to Vote], The Nation, January 19, 2006

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Category:1965 births

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