* Buried deep within a Tribune profile of former US Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who is running to reclaim his former seat…
The former congressman, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2012 amid a monthslong leave of absence before his resignation, said his doctor told him years ago his condition had improved. He added that he now manages the condition well and in part credited broader acceptance of discussing mental health.
“I never stopped therapy while I was in Congress. It was no one’s business,” he said. “Now I’m saying I don’t have a problem talking about it.”
Lawyers for his ex-wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson, said in 2017 that Jackson at that time received almost $138,000 a year in taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance payments tied to bipolar disorder and depression.
Jackson’s campaign manager, John Digles, said Tuesday the former congressman still receives about the same amount in workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability insurance payments and added that his eligibility is reviewed each year. Digles said Jackson would stop receiving the money if elected.
Altogether, if Jackson received the money each year in the last decade, it would exceed $1 million, most tax-free and a result of his having been a member of Congress and, therefore, a federal employee.
This sort of thing undermines public confidence in programs that have done extraordinarily good things for people with work-related disabilities.
Also, I would never recommend that a buddy of mine with devastating repetitive stress disorder return to work at the factory which caused his injury. I’d say the same for Jackson.
Also, too, Jackson didn’t report that income on his FEC financial disclosure form. Oops.
* Oh, and by the way…
Jackson’s foreclosed-upon D.C. home, held in a trust controlled by him and his ex-wife, received a homestead exemption in 2023. Such exemptions lower property taxes but can only be taken at one primary residence.
Jackson also received a homestead exemption at his South Shore Chicago home. He pinned the two exemptions on the fact that he and she have lived separately for a decade and said he was unaware of the D.C. exemption, which records showed had not been recently taken before 2023. The exemption would have been made without his involvement, he said.
It just never ends with this man.
- Responsa - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:16 am:
High on the very long list of “things I can’t believe are happening” is disgraced J3 actually attempting to reclaim the seat he once held. It’s such a bad idea both for him personally (mental health wise) and for that district (reliable ethical representation wise).
- Annon'in - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:19 am:
Some fresh, easily understood bumps in an already rocky road. Ouch
- Frida's Boss - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:23 am:
I’m not sure even with Donna Miller’s money, she can overcome the name.
The tragedy of his father’s passing and the name being constantly in the news the last few weeks will eclipse her spending, I believe.
Could be wrong though? Haven’t seen any polling recently
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:23 am:
Per the Trib quote: “having been a member of Congress and, therefore, a federal employee.”
This raises the longstanding question of whether elected officials are government employees.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:32 am:
State WC systems are often horrible at weighing facts and rendering common sense decisions on claims, particularly when they involve government employees.
But at least you can perceive a theoretical argument as to how JJJ got on workers’ comp. How the federal government evaluated this guy as lacking a stable labor market such that he qualifies for SSDI is the question to me. SSDI is and will always be a shadow welfare system in the US but this is the first time I’ve seen an objectively well educated and physically healthy individual qualify for it at this age. It’s embarrassing for him and for whatever SSDI judge approved it.
- Alton Sinkhole - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:38 am:
Not to be overly dark but I don’t see any way in which the J3 story doesn’t end in tragedy. Win or lose.
Hope I’m wrong and praying for him and his family. But he shouldn’t be within 1000 miles of Congress
- Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:42 am:
Income from Social Security Benefits are exempt from the Committee on House Ethics financial disclosure for what its worth.
- Pundent - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:46 am:
Jesse Jackson Jr. is not currently disabled. And by his own admission he hasn’t been for some time. Yet he continues to collect workers’ compensation and social security disability payments. This is fraud. And his ability to collect these payments is tied to his ability to obtain employment, any employment. It is not determined by whether or not he can win an election.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:53 am:
“$138,000 a year”
Essentially making a high-level full-time salary for being an “ex-federal employee.”
What I always go back to with J3: A redemption arc requires the person to demonstrate that they’ve learned their lesson and to actually do good in their community. Having a free-ride, $138,000 a year salary, he could have used the free time to enter the non-profit world and give back to his community. Instead, he has to try and get back to being the center of attention again while neglecting the residents of his district.
- Sue - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 11:09 am:
Does the Term Grifter come to anyone’s mind when they Think of Junior?