WASHINGTON–Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told me Thursday that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) needs to surface–no matter what his problems are.
“I think it is time for Congressman Jackson to speak, to come to the public and answer some basic questions,” Durbin said. “There is so much speculation. I’ve given him–most people have–a long period of time to recuperate from some serious illness and I want to continue to give him that opportunity. But there are some really important questions about his service in office and his continued public service that need to be resolved.”
Durbin did not speak to reports that Jackson is under a federal investigation for misuse of campaign funds–and is working on a plea deal. It is time, Durbin said, for Jackson to address the “rumors and allegations” though a meeting or a press conference. I talked to Durbin in his office in the Capitol, with Congress back at work for the lame duck session.
The Mayo Clinic said Jackson left in-patient treatment for bi-polar depression on Tuesday–his second stint at the facility. Jackson has been absent from Congress since June 10.
The latest Sun-Times coverage by Natasha Korecki is HERE.
Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown calls for Jackson to stay in or get out by Dec. 12 and save costs of a special election to replace him; his column is HERE.
