* I couldn’t agree more with Brian Thomas…

I love Roe Conn (WLS-AM, 2pm- 6pm). But [yesterday] he started a nasty rumor about Jackson’s leave of absence, based upon two anonymous Washington sources. Until that story is confirmed (if it’s confirmed), he should have kept his mouth shut.

* Conn cited “two high-ranking people on the Democratic side of the aisle, in both fundraising and in the legislative branch” as sources for a rumor that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. had attempted to commit suicide.

I asked a top Jackson staffer about that rumor and received this e-mailed response…

NO he did not. I hope you find the reporting of false rumors very disturbing. What has the news media become?

I do indeed find this all very disturbing. So did the congressman’s father…

“No, that’s not true,” Jackson Sr. told POLITICO. “He’s with his doctor and getting treatment, regaining his strength. That’s all I really want to say at this point.”

Jackson Sr. added that there is “no truth” to the WLS broadcast. “None at all,” he said.

An aide to the congressman also said the WLS report is inaccurate.

* From ABC News…

The source, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, declined to provide any details on where Jackson is seeking treatment, but said that he is genuinely suffering from “exhaustion.”

“That’s what he has. He doesn’t get a lot of sleep and he has sleep disorders. He’s very energetic, running full-steam ahead, working six or seven days a week often and he’s been doing that for a long time,” the source said. “There’s a great deal of pressure on him due to unfounded allegations [related to the ethics inquiry] and negative press onslaught against him that are not true, so it kinda all caught up to him. He needed downtime to get away from grind.”

* Sun-Times…

A senior aide to the congressman told the Sun-Times that Jackson is being treated at a medical facility outside Illinois and that his doctors will release information “soon,” perhaps as early as Wednesday, though not necessarily.

“His condition is not life-threatening,” the aide said. “He does have sleep disorders. He works seven days a week most weeks. He has been under intense pressures over the last four years, so he wants to see if he can figure out a way to get some decent sleep.”

* Congressman Luis Gutierrez wants full disclosure very soon…

“He has a responsibility to give us more information. I’m not demanding that information, but the people of his congressional district deserve it. The people of Illinois deserve it. If he’s gonna stand for re-election, you guys are gonna demand it,” Gutierrez said.

“Let’s not kid ourselves. He’s going to have to answer these questions one way or another or I don’t know you guys in the Chicago press very well. You’re gonna get the answer. Why not give the answer at the earliest, most opportune moment?”

Yes, Chicago reporters are aggressive. Thankfully so. But that doesn’t excuse this rumor-mongering. And there may be a little spite involved as well…

Last year, tensions ran high between Gutierrez and Jackson after the decennial redraw of the state’s Congressional map. Jackson angered Gutierrez when he sought answers about whether the state’s burgeoning Hispanic population required a second majority House district.

Good point…

The reverend noted that he has long supported the political career of Durbin and signaled that he would be willing to talk about his son’s health.

“If he really wants more, he could call me. He could call the office, and we could talk about it.” Rev. Jackson told WBEZ radio. “I think it’s not appropriate to go any further at this point.”

* I don’t, however, agree with the Sun-Times editorial today, which concludes…

Jackson is still a father, a husband and a human being who deserves a measure of sympathy. Let’s give him space.

He’ll get his space when he makes some honest disclosures.

Discuss.

*** UPDATE *** Some early afternoon stories…

* Hoyer joins calls for Jackson Jr. to open up about mystery ailment: “Let me just deal with this briefly in this way: I think Congressman Jackson and his office and his family would be well advised to advise the constituents of his condition. He’s obviously facing a health problem. We have many members who are out right now. This is not an unusual circumstance. People get sick, and when people get sick, they miss work. Everybody in America understands that. But I think the family would be well advised to give his constituents as much information as is appropriate.”

* Pelosi expects Jackson to explain medical absence: House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says she expects Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to explain his weeks-long leave of absence after he has had an evaluation of his medical condition.

* Staff: Rep. Jackson could release more health info soon

* Rep. Jackson’s wife ‘hopeful’ doctors will release medical details soon: “I’m hopeful that my husband’s doctors will be able to release something soon,” she told the Tribune. “I’m in constant talks with them about Jesse’s condition and his medical prognosis going forward.”

* Quinn: Voters have ‘heard enough’ about Jackson: But the Democratic governor said Wednesday, “I think you’ve heard enough _ that he has some health challenges that he’s dealing with right now.”

* Jesse Jr. Story Goes National