Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

The JJJ saga gets weirder by the day

Posted in:

Illinois

* It just gets weirder…

Sources tell FOX 32 News that Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is willing to give up his 2nd Congressional District seat if he’s given disability when he steps down.

Jackson Jr. was re-elected to his tenth term but last month, sources say, he applied for a disability package–what could be his only income if he resigns. It is expected to take a couple of weeks for Congress to approve or deny the request.

* And weirder…

His house on 72nd Street in Chicago is part of the federal government’s investigation into allegations that Jackson Jr. misused campaign funds. Sources say Jackson allegedly spent $20,000 to renovate and buy furniture for the family’s home in Chicago, not their 5-bedroom Victorian home in Washington D.C.

The basement in the Chicago home has five televisions and a number of printers and copying machines, sources say. Most of the equipment was purchased in the mid-90’s when Jackson was first elected, but because of flooding a couple of years ago, most, if not all, was replaced.

Sources close to the family tell FOX 32’s Darlene Hill that the congressman may be reporting the use of the space in the basement as his campaign headquarters.

FOX 32 called the House Ethics Committee in D.C. and while they would not comment specifically on Jackson’s case, the federal campaign finance law states, “a campaign committee may not rent space in the candidate’s home.”

* Related…

* Mark Brown: Jesse Jackson Jr. needs a deadline to fish or cut bait

* Durbin: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. needs to surface, speak to public

* Quinn: Congressman Jackson should address public about his condition, now that election over

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:37 am

Comments

The people around JJJ are not doing right be the guy.

JJJ is shopping for disability a week after he stood for re-election?

That don’t seem right.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:42 am
I’m still waiting for the Feds to bust them for the dirty deal where Sandy took large paychecks from the campaign as a consultant for years when she did little or no work. And too bad they can’t bust her for ghost payrolling as a Chicago Alderman that lives in DC - but that’s really for the voters to deal with.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:43 am
It’s Fox News. Who know what’s really going on.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:43 am
J3 needs to just stop. Everything. Now.

Be a man, come clean, and pay the price.

Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:44 am
The basement thing came up in the Vanity Fair article, I think Alexi mentioned it.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:49 am
So who is going to be favored to replace him?

Does Kwame live in that district? He would be a welcome change.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:52 am
R. Kelly for Congress!

Comment by Fight for Hyde Park Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:54 am
The disability determination should be useful in any future trial. He’s getting good advice from attorney Dan Webb.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:57 am
@Chicago Cynic & @OneMan

It’s on the FBI’s radar as well. From the article linked above:

“The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the congressman’s wife, Alderman Sandi Jackson, is now being investigated because she is a consultant for Jackson’s campaign operation and is paid monthly.”

Comment by S.Dolopoulos Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:58 am
Why is the Reverend allowing this to turn into the circus that it has? He got the family those beer distributorships for a reason. Resign, become a consultant to the distributor, a consultant to PUSH, and get this the heck out of the tabloid news.

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 11:59 am
Skeeter,

Congressweasels are not required to live in-district.

All,

I think that there is room in the upper right hand corner here:

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/53038182.jpg

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:00 pm
Wouldn’t Dan Webb (and I hope others) have given “good advice” for Sandi to get off that campaign payroll long ago?

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:01 pm
Cheryl - these stations are franchised, hire their own staff and control their own news. I don’t think that’s a fair assumption. If Fox News itself did the reporting, then I would say you might have something.

Nothing in Illinois Congressional politics is fishy anymore. Two different primary winners (Brad Harriman and Tim Johnson) stepped down weeks after winning their respective races and both of their replacements won. JJJ basically was MIA for months and still cruised to reelection. There are reports that Denny Hastert misused his Speaker’s office.

I think the sprint to replace JJJ would be interesting. You would have the Chicago faction and the south suburban faction going after each other in the special election.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:04 pm
Reading this article put me in the mood for a Coca Cola or maybe an ice cold bottle of Bud.

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:10 pm
I can’t ever remember any IL politician who has completely wasted such great potential.

Except for Rod. And Carol. And George Ryan. And Jack Ryan. And Miriam Santos. And Rosty. And Laski. And Mel Reynolds.

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:11 pm
Is Jackson looking for a contingency here? “You give me disability and I’ll step down.” Are the people in charge of accepting his resignation the same people who can grant a claim of disability? Maybe I”m thinking of a different kind of disability.

Or, is it more like, “if I’m able to get on disability, I won’t need this job, so I can step down.”

I agree with Lincoln Lounger. He’s got other options.

Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:12 pm
Just Wondering if an insurance claim was filed to replace the flooded equipment and if was defined as personal or campaign equipment.

No biggie … just wondering

Comment by JustWondering Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:20 pm
Time to stop with the “negotiations” by the feds. If they have anything, indict/arrest him and let the chips fall. They are as much to blame for allowing this to become a circus as he is

Comment by Hank Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:20 pm
This whole obsession with his income thing strikes me as odd. Is the Jackson family suddenly hard up for cash and I missed it?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:20 pm
I feel for the city’s african american community. In a city with so many gifted african american leaders (like the two who live at 1600 penn ave) and people that could really be doing great things for the city, county and state they’re stuck with these cats. You guys are aware you can challenge these people right?

Just a waste. Quigley (who has played on congressional ethics before), Durbin and Quinn again show they’re just hacks on ethics. If the state gop was functional, which they’re not, they would call on new chicago area reps duckworth, foster, schneider to call on him to resign, an early chance to start drawing blood on them and expand the story.

Comment by shore Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:45 pm
I would just like to say that I am one of two excellent Democratic opposition researchers in Chicago and there are going to be a lot more than two candidates for this special. SO, anyone interested in running and reading these comments, my website and email are right here. Let’s talk!

Comment by Will Caskey Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:50 pm
I’m not sure who the ultimatum is directed to. The voters whe elected JJJr to represent them? Congress? Seems like a mooching overreach to me.

I don’t get it. Lifetime political seats, JJJr and Sandi both, accolades and hangers on, unlimited campaign cash. In a word, life on easy street. You can coast, show up, not show up, it does not matter. You still have ti chisel even more? Sheesh

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 12:52 pm
@Shore, What about the Peotone/Kankakee area that was pulled into this mess?

Talk about not being represented. I have a feeling of disgust, If he knew he was going to resign, just man up and take your name off the ballot before Nov 6.

Comment by DoubleDown Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 1:05 pm
In other news, JJJ is demanding that the Peotone airport be built before he will resighn

Comment by Hank Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 1:20 pm
Shore: how on earth is JJJ stealing the fault of Quigley, Durbin or Quinn? Because they’re not yelling about it right this second? That is kind of crazy.

Comment by Will Caskey Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 1:22 pm
Corruption is only a metaphorical “disease.” I don’t believe that it qualifies for disability.

Comment by grand old partisan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 1:31 pm
I think I’m correct in saying that disability is a bit more difficult to garnish by creditors. Just a thought.

Comment by Lobo y Olla Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 1:53 pm
Corruption may be a metaphorical “disease” but the realization that you’ve squandered everything may indeed be too much to bear.

Comment by Barbie Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 2:01 pm
Halvorson must be livid…his appointee has alot on his (her) plate…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 2:23 pm
===his appointee===

There will be a special election. No appointment allowed under state law. This is pretty well known. Get with the program.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 2:28 pm
As much as he should man-up and resign, he’s been able to drag this out this long and he’ll continue to do so for as long as possbile. All the while he’s collecting his congressional salary for doing nothing.

I think it’s time for the Fed’s to squeeze harder and make this come to an end.

Comment by Because I said so... Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 2:40 pm
Certain types of disability income are non-taxable, which may be an important question that needs to be determined. May explain his angle here..

Comment by Mr.Big Trouble Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 2:46 pm
It’s moving, almost to tears, to hear from those concerned about the residents of the 2nd Congressional District and their representation in Congress.

Strange, though, that some how, some way, when right-wing suckers were pouring tens of millions of dollars into losing battles for whack-job candidates around the country, no one in the Illinois GOP had the imagination or energy to make the following pitch:

“Jesse Jackson Jr., (like you didn’t know) is a black liberal from Chicago. He’s cracked up and is about to be indicted. He’s in a less than 60% black district.

“We have a GOP candidate. Any of you deep-thinkers want to kick in to a $5 million TV buy to rip Jesse and his old man? Just for fun?”

By the way, not that it matters to many of the humanitarians here, but here is what the voters of the 2nd District decided last week:

JJJ (D): 181,067 63.1%
B. Woodworth (R) 67,396 23.4%
M. Lewis (I) 38,733 13.%%

Those people just can’t take care of themselves, can they? Someone should make their decisions for them.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 2:48 pm
That’s an interesting point. Maybe sometime soon at the Kook brothers’ Money Bin, some flunkie will be flogged for lack of foresight.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:03 pm
If JJJ is convinced of a crime, would he loose his seat, pension and any hope of disability? I know this would take a while to go through the court system, but I wouldn’t think any of these would be allowed with a federal conviction. I guess he wants the good before he gives up anything.

Comment by Rusty618 Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:15 pm
@Wordslinger I am in the 2nd district and I am one of the 67,396

Peotone results 6 NOV 12:

Peotone 001 Woodworth - 769, Jackson 91
Peotone 002 Woodworth - 757, Jackson 77

We only have 1 vote each, Jackson or any rep from his office was not in Peotone at all this election. If you look at the voter turnout in my district on the will county site we had a 70%-80% turnout.

If Mr Jackson knew he was not going to resign I am at peace with the the votes,however If he knew he was going to resign I and 1525 voters can agree that this election was a farce

Comment by DoubleDown Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:18 pm
I spent most of my life in this district and have life-long ties there.

There was no way Jackson was going to lose any more than Derrick Smith was going to lose.

Ripping on Jesse Jackson would have been a fool’s errand, and painted by everyone as racist. Claiming that J3 was headed for jail would have been misconstrued as racist as well.

Gerrymandering created a voting block unwilling to vote any other way than Black and Democratic. The district is such a joke it couldn’t make J3 a serious candidate even after ten straight election victories. He couldn’t even merit a US Senate appointment. J3 discovered the downside of having a joke of a political fiefdom. No creds.

The GOP easily held their House majorities, so it appears improbable to believe they wasted millions on losing battles for whack jobs. 2010s shellacking was reaffirmed.

The problem isn’t the GOP. After Savage, Reynolds, and Jackson, the 2nd’s problem is a Democratic party who considers voters there to being too stupid to make their own decisions. The problem is a political party willing to support anyone, however corrupt, instead of cleaning up their own scandals.

Blaming the GOP in this case is like a hooker blaming the priest for not saving her from an STD.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:18 pm
Disability may be difficult to garnish, but being the recipient of it doesn’t preclude one from an obligation to pay things like child support and maintenance/alimony.

Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:19 pm
Do you cry or laugh? Being born into a web of corruption, the politics of the civil rights movmement, and the Chicago machine is probably the prerequisite for Jr’s unique form of Bipolar disorder. I hope Sandi stays out of jail even though she problably could be indicted too, their children need someone to raise them if Jr goes away for a while.

Comment by Rod Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:34 pm
@Cheswick - You’re right, but both of his children would also qualify for a benefit if one (or both) parents in a family qualifies. Specifically, if you are a parent who receives Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) because of a disability that prevents you from working, your minor child can also receive a monthly cash benefit until the child turns 18.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:35 pm
If JJJ believes he has no other options for income than to get congressional disability pay, that speaks volumes about how little influence he thinks Reverend Jackson now has.

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:37 pm
– Being born into a web of corruption, the politics of the civil rights movmement, and the Chicago machine is probably the prerequisite for Jr’s unique form of Bipolar disorder–

I’ve read that wannabe sentence four times now and still don’t have a clue as to what it is trying to communicate.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:38 pm
And I don’t believe you could find a jury in Chicago or Washington DC that would convict Jesse Jackson Jr. of a campaign finance crime.

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:39 pm
–And I don’t believe you could find a jury in Chicago or Washington DC that would convict Jesse Jackson Jr. of a campaign finance crime.–

Why’s that?

C’mon, say it! You know you want to.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:41 pm
Because jurors probably think campaign finance stuff is something all politicians violate from time to time. And its complicated. John Edwards can tell you all about it.

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:49 pm
–Because jurors probably think campaign finance stuff is something all politicians violate from time to time.–

Just Chicago or Washington, DC, jurors, as you brought up, or, say, Idaho and Maine jurors, too?

And I’m quite certain that many congress-critters have been convicted on campaign finance charges. What are you talking about?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:53 pm
Its back to playing the victim here.
JJJ was primaried.
By an excellent former Congresswoman.
We all knew JJJ was a zombie waiting for the Feds back when he and his close buddy Blagojevich was playing footsie over a Senate seat.
Did anyone of consequence support Halvorson?
Did anyone ask JJJ to step down then?

Nope. The Democratic party gerrymandered this joke of an uncontestable congressional district just for the Jackson family. They handed the district over to JJJ twenty years ago and haven’t asked a single question as he and his wife and father used it like it was a third world country with them at the top.

The signs of corruption were everywhere, but still, the Democrats picked JJJ over Halvorson - decidely.

Then JJJ disappears for the rest of the year. No one of consequence asks a question. No one wants to challenge him.

Now, you want to play a victim? Of who? The guys you elected? The guys you renominated? The guys you supported? The guys you funded?

No - you claim it is the GOP who are to blame?

Pathetic. After driving the car, you want to complain you blew it up?

Own it. Be an adult.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 3:59 pm
Turdslinger, my own knowledge of high profile politicians being indicted on campaign finance laws is not very deep, but the John Edwards case was used by talking heads as one huge example of how hard it is to convict a politician of violating them. I brought up Chicago and DC because those are the only two places where the JJJ violations are rumored to have occured.

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 4:09 pm
With all due respect, I wouldn’t call Halvorson “excellent”, nor would the folks that threw her out pretty handily. Her primary campaign wasn’t exactly excellent either, but she wasn’t going to win that race no matter what she did.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 4:12 pm
It’s a shame if Jackson is using his last shred of influence and legal representation to find a way to have taxpayers support him for the rest of his life.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 4:35 pm
Why the pity party? Jjjr is a member of an elite family that earns millions each year. Surely someone can hire him.

Disability is usually granted if you cannot perform any job, not just the one you have . There are many thousands of people suffering from the disorder he claims to have whe go to work every day . It would be a disservice to grant Jjjr disability and not them.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 6:01 pm
I used to live around the area where the Jacksons’ house is. It would never occur to me to keep that many electronic devices in a basement there, and it’s not at all surprising that they might be lost in a flood.

Not the primary issues with JJJ, but it speaks to his skills at risk assessment.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 6:14 pm
“Quinn: Congressman Jackson should address public about his condition, now that election over”

Now that darned election is over it’s time to come clean, Mr. Jackson! Way to go out on a limb, Mr. Ethics.

Comment by Independent Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 6:26 pm
==No - you claim it is the GOP who are to blame?–

I think that’s directed at me.

I don’t blame anyone for anything. I don’t really care. The folks in the district had options and made their choice.

Just as the folks who saw fit to send great statesmen like Michelle Bachman, Steve King, Joe Walsh, Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock to Congress.

I’m not down with that, but I didn’t live in those districts.

The voters in Illinois 2 made their choice. The district was hardly drawn for Jackson, he lost some of his strongest areas in the map.

What fascinates me is the sanctimonious out-of-district preachers who believe they are on a mission from God to disenfranchise the voters in a free election.

You don’t have to like the results. I don’t like plenty of election results. It’s called democracy.

But, VMan, if you want to do something more than complain and play the victim (doubtful, that would take effort), yes, I’d suggest it was a slam dunk to put some money behind the GOP candidate in the district. (What’s his name? Do you know?).

And if I recall correctly, the House was never in doubt. The big Roveian money was telling us on the morning of Nov. 6 that they were grabbing the White House and the Senate, not fighting a rear-guard action to preserve the House majority.

But maybe they’re saying something differently on Fox now. I wouldn’t know. I’m sure you do.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 6:59 pm
@Meanderthal, first of all, you need to be a little more respectful. Secondly, I guess you’re too young to remember Rostenkowski. He didn’t abuse campaign funds; he misspent the postage at the Senate and didn’t report some gifts he should’ve. He was responsible for Presidential Towers in Chicago. He brought a lot of pork to Chicago and Illinois. At one time, he was the head of the Ways and Means Committee. A very powerful man who ended his career in jail.

Comment by Emily Booth Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 7:50 pm
- Meanderthal -,

We show respect to each other here. Keep that in mind if you want to be taken even remotely serious in your thoughts and posts. MOck all you want the thoughts or ideas, but to each other, changing the names of posters like a 5th grader ain’t helping your cause.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 7:57 pm
Rove, Fox, Koch Brothers, (add talking point/excuse here), blah, blah, blah.

None of that matters if the Democrats had a shred of integrity and called J3 out onto the carpet and demanded any accountability over the past four years. They have Halvorson to pick up any slack. J3 was a flat tire, all the Democrats had to do was to change it.

Blaming anything other than the key power players here for this disaster is spineless and rotten. If your party wants to gerrymander itself a protected fiefdom it has the obligation to care for those voters, not screw them repeatedly with Savage, Reynolds and Jackson.

Blaming the GOP for this preventable disgusting spectacle is asinine. Playing the victim because the GOP didn’t drop a dime into a race it couldn’t have won is pathetic.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 9:17 pm
and wordslinger, you think every post is about you.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 9:18 pm
VMAN,
Who is blaming the GOP?
Who was that comment directed to?

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 9:19 pm
LOL!
Skeeter, you dog!

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 9:26 pm
–and wordslinger, you think every post is about you.–

What’s that mean?

There are words arranged with punctuation, but what are you trying to communicate?

Dude, take your Ritalin. In 435 Congressional districts, I’m sure we’re all going to find some outcomes we find outrageous and wrong.

I know I will. But you don’t disenfranchise voters over it.

Somehow, we’ll muddle through.

Peace, brother.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 10:15 pm
Mea, Turdslinger is not bad, but it’s also the first one you come up with.

Work it, daddio.

How about Nerdslinger? Or WordCorporalKlinger (stretch). Or WordPullMyFinger?

There are no bad ideas in brainstorming. Go for it, dude.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 12 @ 10:42 pm
- Meanderthal -,

You want to take - wrodslinger - on, good luck. On his worst day, he would still have to tie one hand behind his back to even make it sporting for the rest of us to watch.

Just some advice; know your adversary, and then think, “Is this the best way?” I am here to tell you.

NO.

With kindest personal regards, I remain.

Sincerely yours,

Oswego Willy

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 16, 12 @ 7:53 am
OW–
Isn’t the point of using a fake name so I don’t know the other people that post here. And Emily Booth, I am so old I remember when Rostenkowski changed his name to Rosten. Ha!
Sorry for the potty mouth, Wordslinger.

Comment by Meanderthal Friday, Nov 16, 12 @ 8:39 am
- Meanderthal - ,

I don’t know - wordslinger- from Adam, but I do know from reading, and know from the “Wordslinger Best Commenter Golden Horseshoe” that … - wordslinger -, he must be pretty good. Rich names his golden Horseshoe for him, I take notice pretty fast.

Class move on the apology, no need to go Potty Mouth.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 16, 12 @ 9:08 am