Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois resigns, citing health; facing federal investigation

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) of the second Congressional District submitted his letter of resignation to Speaker of the House John Boehner before the Thanksgiving weekend. Voters in the district re-elected Jackson just two weeks before his resignation.

Jackson has spent parts of 2012 under treatment for bipolar disorder, and in his letter to Speaker Boehner acknowledged “My health issues and treatment regimen have become incompatible with service to the House of Representatives. Therefore it is with great regret that I hereby resign…effective immediately, in order to focus on restoring my health.”

Reuters reports that Jackson might also be under investigation by the FBI for possible misuse of campaign money, a fact which he alluded to in his resignation letter. Campaign money might have gone to pay for renovations to Jackson’s home, as well as the purchase of a Rolex watch, reports ABC-7 Chicago. Congressman Jackson’s wife, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, has also received payments for political consulting work, reports ABC.

David Morrison of the Illinois Campaign for Political reform says in an interview with ABC: “If paying the wife is an excuse or some ruse to siphon money from the campaign fund that he can spend however he wants, that’s where it becomes illegal…If he really is paying fair market value for services she has provided the courts have said that’s legal.”

Governor Pat Quinn set a special election date for March 19, 2013, with party primaries to be held on February 26.

Chicago Tribune: Jesse Jackson Jr. resigns from House, citing health

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ABC-7 Chicago: Jesse Jackson Jr. investigation: On the money trail

Chicago Tribune: Illinois sets March election to replace Jesse Jackson Junior