Mystery Of Rep. Jesse Jackson's Leave Of Absence Deepens

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 11, 2012 1:30PM

Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s staff worked to dispel rumors as to why he has taken a medical leave of absence as more members of Illinois' congressional delegation call upon the congressman's office to come clean with the specific reasons he's in treatment.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez joined U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in calling for Jackson to reveal the nature of his "physical and emotional ailments" for which he's been seeking inpatient treatment since June 10. Gutierrez and Jackson have had a testy relationship over the years and Gutierrez said he was willing to give Jackson the benefit of the doubt until last week's statement from his office that he would need to be in treatment longer than anticipated.

“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.

Jackson's staff said all will be answered in due time. A senior aide to Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times that he's being treated in a facility out-of-state and that his doctors would release the information Gutierrez is "not demanding" as soon as Wednesday, maybe, probably, don't hold him to it. The aide did disclose Jackson suffered from "sleep disorders."

One rumor for Jackson's leave of absence his staff shot down was a rumor aired on WLS-AM's "Roe & Roper" show that the impetus for his treatment was a suicide attempt. Jackson's father, the legendary civil rights advocate Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., also denied his son attempted suicide.

Sen. Durbin, in calling for transparency, compared how Jackson's office has handled his condition with that of Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, whose office has provided regular updates of his recovery from a January stroke.

The Jackson aide said he would not return to work until after Labor Day.