View source for Jesse Jackson Jr.

{{Short description|American politician (born 1965)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name        = Jesse Jackson Jr.
|image       = Jesse Jackson, Jr., official photo portrait.jpg
|caption     = Official portrait, {{circa|2007}}
|alt         = Official portrait, {{circa|2007}}
|state       = [[Illinois]]
|district    = {{ushr|IL|2|2nd}}
|term_start  = December 12, 1995
|term_end    = November 21, 2012
|predecessor = [[Mel Reynolds]]
|successor   = [[Robin Kelly]]
|birth_name  = Jesse Louis Jackson Jr.
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1965|03|11}}
|birth_place = [[Greenville, South Carolina]], U.S.
|death_date  = 
|death_place = 
|party       = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|spouse      = {{marriage|[[Sandi Jackson|Sandi Stevens]]|1991|2018|end=div}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-jackson-divorce-settlement-20180413-story.html|title=Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson reach settlement in contentious divorce case |last=O'Connell |first=Patrick M. |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 13, 2018 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref>|children    = 2
|parents     = [[Jesse Jackson]] (father)<br>[[Jacqueline Jackson|Jacqueline Brown]] (mother)
|relatives   = [[Santita Jackson]] (sister)<br>[[Jonathan Jackson (Illinois politician)|Jonathan Jackson]] (brother)
|education   = [[North Carolina A&T State University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[Chicago Theological Seminary]] ([[Master of Divinity|MDiv]])<br>[[University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
|module            =  {{Infobox criminal
|child             = yes
|conviction_status = Released
|criminal_charge   = Conspiracy to Steal Campaign Funds – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371
|criminal_penalty  = 30 months in federal prison}}
}}
'''Jesse Louis Jackson Jr.''' (born March 11, 1965) is an American former politician. He served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] from {{ushr|IL|2}} from 1995 until his resignation in 2012. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he is the son of activist and former presidential candidate [[Jesse Jackson]] and, prior to his career in elected office, worked for his father in both the elder Jackson's [[Jesse Jackson 1984 presidential campaign|1984 presidential campaign]] and his [[social justice]], [[civil rights]] and political [[activism]] organization, [[Rainbow/PUSH|Operation PUSH]]. Jackson's then-wife, [[Sandi Jackson]], served on the [[Chicago City Council]]. He served as a national co-chairman of the 2008 [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|Barack Obama presidential campaign]].<ref name=TPL>{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/01/the_pm_line_98.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110175109/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/01/the_pm_line_98.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 10, 2008|title=The PM Line|access-date=2008-04-18|date=January 9, 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Dvorak, Blake}}</ref> Jackson established a consistent liberal record on both social and [[Fiscal policy|fiscal]] issues,<ref name=IHJLJ/> and he has co-authored books on civil rights and personal finance.

In October 2012, Jackson was investigated for financial improprieties including misuse of campaign funds. Jackson resigned from Congress on November 21, 2012, citing mental and physical health problems, including [[bipolar disorder]] and [[gastrointestinal problem]]s. On February 8, 2013, Jackson admitted to violating federal campaign law by using campaign funds to make personal purchases.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rafferty|first=Andrew|title=Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. admits to campaign finance violations|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/08/16900082-former-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-admits-to-campaign-finance-violations|access-date=February 8, 2013|work=[[NBC News]]|date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> Jackson pleaded guilty on February 20, 2013, to one count of wire and mail fraud.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jackson Pleads Guilty to Wire and Mail Fraud|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/us/politics/jesse-l-jackson-jr-pleads-guilty-to-wire-and-mail-fraud.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 20, 2013|first=Michael S.|last=Schmidt|date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> On August 14, 2013, he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.<ref name="Chicago Sun Times">{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. sentenced to 2½ years|url=http://www.suntimes.com/21924478-761/jesse-jackson-jr-sandi-await-fate-at-federal-sentencing-hearing.html|publisher=[[Chicago Sun Times]]|access-date=August 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date = August 14, 2013 | title = Former Rep. Jackson Sentenced to 2½ Years | author = Devlin Barrett | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-rep-jackson-sentenced-to-2-years-1376499737}}</ref> Jackson was released from prison on March 26, 2015. Jackson and other Democratic Chicago leaders asked President [[Joe Biden]] for Jackson to be given a pardon at the end of 2024,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.wttw.com/2024/12/11/jesse-jackson-jr-presidential-pardons-returning-public-life-and-what-comes-next | title=Jesse Jackson Jr. On Presidential Pardons, Returning to Public Life and What Comes Next }}</ref> but he did not receive one.

In October 2025, Jackson announced his candidacy to reclaim his former congressional seat in the [[2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois#District 2|2026 election.]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-08 |title=Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. announces campaign for old seat - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/former-u-s-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-congressional-run/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life, education, and early political career==
Jackson was born in [[Greenville, South Carolina]], and was raised in the [[Jackson Park Highlands District]] of the [[South Shore, Chicago|South Shore]] [[Community areas of Chicago|community area]] on the [[South Side (Chicago)|South Side of Chicago]].<ref name="JW28">Jackson and Watkins, p. 28.</ref><ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 31.</ref> He was one of five children of [[Jesse Jackson|Jesse]] and [[Jacqueline Jackson|Jacqueline (Brown) Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010129/archive_006311.htm |title=The Jackson Reaction: As he does penance in the wilderness, supporters predict he'll return |access-date=2008-04-25 |date=January 21, 2001 |author=Cannon, Angie |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231713/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010129/archive_006311.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=TDIAJRDWPFHSTISD>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DA1238F933A15754C0A96E948260|title= The Democrats in Atlanta; Jackson Rouses Democrats With Plea For Hope, Saying 'Tonight I Salute' Dukakis|access-date=2008-04-25|date=July 20, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Dionne, E. J. Jr.|author-link=E. J. Dionne}}</ref> He attended nursery school at the [[University of Chicago]] and attended John J. Pershing Elementary School.<ref name=JW28/> At age five, Jackson mimicked his father in a speech atop a [[milk crate]] at the [[Operation PUSH]] headquarters.<ref name=WDJW/> His time with his father sometimes occurred in the time between political meetings.<ref name=JJJIHFSBHRBtR>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E2DF1531F930A35750C0A96E958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Is His Father's Son, But He Reaches Beyond the Rainbow|access-date=2008-04-19|date=March 3, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Johnson, Dirk}}</ref>

He and his brother Jonathan were sent to [[Le Mans Academy]] in [[Rolling Prairie, Indiana]] after Jackson was diagnosed as [[hyperactive]]. As a young cadet, he was paddled at times for disciplinary reasons. During his tenure there, he earned the rank of Company Commander.<ref name=WDJW/><ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 29.</ref> Jackson repeated ninth grade and was suspended from school twice.<ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 32.</ref> Jackson graduated from [[St. Albans School (Washington, D.C.)|St. Albans School]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1DF1739F937A25751C1A963958260|title=Victory His, Jesse Jackson Jr. Heads to Congress |date=December 14, 1995|access-date=February 4, 2018|work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Dirk | last=Johnson}}</ref> He was an all-state running back on his football team in high school and was featured in the February 1984 issue of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' as part of their [[Faces in the Crowd (Sports Illustrated)|Faces in the Crowd]] section, which noted him for his 15&nbsp;[[touchdown]]s, 889&nbsp;rushing yards, and 7.2&nbsp;yards per carry in six games.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Faces in the Crowd|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19840213&mode=reader_vault|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125050841/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19840213&mode=reader_vault|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2011|page=145|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=February 13, 1984}}</ref> Jackson enrolled in [[North Carolina A&T University]], his father's alma mater,<ref name=WDJW/> earning his Bachelor of Science degree ''[[magna cum laude]]'' in 1987.<ref name=BoRJLJJ>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/jackson/Bio.shtml|title=Biography of Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr.|access-date=2008-04-21|publisher=house.gov |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080416122153/http://www.house.gov/jackson/Bio.shtml |archive-date = April 16, 2008}}</ref> He decided to follow his father's advice to receive a seminary education at the Chicago Theological Seminary, where he earned his master's degree a year early but opted not to become [[ordain]]ed.<ref name=WDJW/> Jackson proceeded to law school at the [[University of Illinois]] and convinced his future wife to transfer there from the [[Georgetown University Law Center]]. He then earned a [[Juris Doctor]] from the [[University of Illinois College of Law]] in 1993.<ref name=JJLJ>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=j000283|title=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr., (1965 – )|access-date=2008-04-21|publisher=congress.gov}}</ref> Jackson never sat for the [[bar exam]] despite finishing his coursework a semester early.<ref name=WDJW/>

<!-- removed for want of source: Jackson says that at the age of 16 he helped organize support for the [[air traffic controller]]s during the [[Air traffic controllers' strike of 1981]].<ref name=RW/> Source said: "...Jackson's campaign biography said that he rallied support in 1981 for striking air traffic controllers who had been fired by President Ronald Reagan; he was 16 years old at the time."-->As a teenager, Jackson and his brother [[Jonathan Jackson (activist)|Jonathan]] assisted in their father's civil rights activities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6091EFA395C0C738FDDAB0994DB484D81|title=Jackson Is Off To Syria To Seek Flier's Release|access-date=2008-04-25|date=December 30, 1983|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Smothers, Ronald}}</ref> During the [[1984 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1984 Democratic primaries]], the three Jackson brothers sometimes appeared at events together in support of their father's presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA061FFE3E5C0C7B8DDDAD0894DC484D81|title=Jacqueline Jackson Finds Own Role|access-date=2008-04-26|date=April 18, 1984|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Gaiter, Dorothy J.}}</ref> While in college, Jackson held a [[voter registration]] drive that registered 3,500 voters on a campus with 4,500 students.<ref name=JW33>Jackson and Watkins, p. 33.</ref> His first job after graduation was as an executive director for the Rainbow Coalition.<ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 34.</ref>

Jackson was again involved in his father's campaigning during the [[1988 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1988 Democratic primaries]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5DE1E3DF932A25757C0A96E948260|title= New Yorkers Welcome Jackson Like a Celebrity|access-date=2008-04-18|date=April 11, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Lyall, Sarah}}</ref> In 1988, in the dealings between his father and [[Michael Dukakis]] at the [[1988 Democratic National Convention]], Jackson's father obtained for him a position as an at-large member of the [[Democratic National Committee]] (DNC) by a nomination from Democratic Party chairman [[Paul G. Kirk|Paul Kirk]].<ref name=Dems>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,968030,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308133443/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,968030,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2008|title=The Democrats|access-date=2008-04-18|date=August 1, 1988|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Carlson, Margaret, B.|author-link=Margaret Carlson}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5DC1238F930A15754C0A96E948260|title= After The Convention; Dukakis Sets Out To Parlay Unity into Fall Victory|access-date=2008-04-18|date=July 23, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Oreskes, Michael}}</ref> Jackson Jr. was the last of the five children to speak and introduced his father with the words "a man who fights against the odds, who lives against the odds, our dad, Jesse Jackson."<ref name=TDIAJRDWPFHSTISD/> At the time, in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, [[Margaret Carlson]] depicted the younger Jackson as a well-spoken and compelling personality who would likely carry any of his father's political aspirations that his father was unable to achieve himself.<ref name=Dems/> His experience with the DNC gave him the opportunity to work on numerous congressional election races.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E7D61339F937A15752C1A963958260|title= In House Election, a Familiar Name|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 24, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Terry, Don}}</ref> After the convention he also became a vice president of Operation PUSH.<ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 35.</ref>

Jackson was arrested on his twenty-first birthday in [[Washington, D.C.]], following his participation in demonstrations against [[apartheid]] at the South African Embassy.<ref name=RW/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200401/20040113_jacksonjr.html |title=Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.: original airdate January 13, 2004 |access-date=2008-04-22 |publisher=The Smiley Group, Inc/PBS.org |date=January 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124032711/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200401/20040113_jacksonjr.html |archive-date=November 24, 2009 }}</ref> He had been arrested with his father and brother the year before in a similar activity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503EEDA1E39F931A25750C0A963948260|title= Around The Nation; Jackson Arrested in Embassy Protest|access-date=2008-04-25|date=March 12, 1985|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> His protest against apartheid extended to weekly demonstrations in front of the South African Consulate in Chicago. Jackson shared the stage with [[Nelson Mandela]] when Mandela made his historic speech following his release from a 27-year imprisonment in [[Cape Town]] in February 1990.<ref name=BoRJLJJ/> Before entering the House, he became secretary of the [[Democratic National Committee]]'s Black Caucus, the national field director of the National Rainbow Coalition and a member of the [[Rainbow/PUSH Coalition]].<ref name=JJLJ/> Jackson served as the national field director of the Rainbow Coalition from 1993 to 1995.<ref name=JW/> Under Jackson's leadership, the Rainbow Coalition attempted to stimulate equitable hiring in the [[National Basketball Association]] because while 78% of the league's players were African American, 92% of the front-office executive positions, 88% of the administrative jobs, and 85% of the support positions were held by whites.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DE133DF93AA15755C0A965958260|title= Sports People: Pro Basketball; Survey Shows Lack of Jobs for Blacks|access-date=2008-04-18|date=June 29, 1993|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> While serving as the field director for the National Rainbow Coalition, he helped register millions of new voters through a newly instituted national non-partisan program. He also created a voter education program to teach citizens the importance of participating in the political process.<ref name=BoRJLJJ/> He was a member of the [[Congressional Black Caucus]], and also a founding board member of the Apollo Alliance.

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections===
Jackson's wife wanted him to run for the 2nd District Congressional seat in the 1996 [[Partisan primary|primary election]],<ref name=WDJW/> while his father wanted him to run for a position as an [[alderman]] or for the [[Illinois General Assembly]].<ref name=JW38>Jackson and Watkins, p. 38.</ref> The 2nd District includes part of Chicago's southeast suburbs known as the [[Chicago Southland|Southland]] and part of the [[South Side (Chicago)|South Side]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/il02_109.gif |title=Congressional District 2 |access-date=2009-02-11 |publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]] |website=NationalAtlas.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219025031/http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/il02_109.gif |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> Jackson's father approached state Sen. [[Alice J. Palmer]] with a deal in which the Jacksons would support her for Congress in exchange for her support for Jackson for the [[Illinois Senate]]. Jackson Jr. did not agree with the plan and wanted to run for the 2nd District seat.<ref name=JW38/> After seeking approval from former [[Democratic National Committee]] chairman [[David Wilhelm]], he decided to run for the seat against Palmer.<ref name=WDJW/> When [[Mel Reynolds]], who was later convicted on sexual misconduct charges, resigned from Congress on September 1, 1995, Jackson's name surfaced as a potential replacement;<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,4676,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007235938/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,4676,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2010|title=Life After Mel|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 5, 1995|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0DE1530F937A1575BC0A963958260|title= In Congressman's District, Conviction Evokes Regret|access-date=2008-04-18|date=August 24, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Johnson, Dirk}}</ref> on September 10, 1995, Jackson officially declared his candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DF153FF933A2575AC0A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson's Son to Run for House Seat|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 10, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Jackson's opponents in the Democratic primary were Palmer, [[Emil Jones]], [[Monique Davis]], and John Morrow in the Democratic primary, which was set for November 29, 1995.<ref name=JJJWPiC/><ref name=FMS>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5205,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008024442/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5205,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Filling Mel's Shoes|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 28, 1995|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> Jones was endorsed by [[Chicago Mayor]] [[Richard M. Daley]].<ref name=WDJW>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/May-2005/What-Does-Junior-Want/|title=What Does Junior Want?|access-date=2008-04-24|date=May 2005|work=[[Chicago Magazine]]|author=Rhodes, Steve}}</ref> Jackson was endorsed by the ''[[Daily Southtown]]'', [[Markham, Illinois|Markham]] Mayor Evans Miller, and one local labor organization.<ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 39.</ref> Campaign controversy arose when it was revealed that Jackson's salary as field director the Rainbow Coalition had been subsidized by the [[Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union]], which was accused by a U.S. Senate investigative committee of having ties to organized crime.<ref name=JJJWPiC/> Jackson was one of several Democrats who received campaign contributions from [[John Huang]], a Democratic fundraiser who illegally funneled over $150,000 to Democratic candidates and was later convicted of conspiracy to commit campaign finance fraud. While most other recipients of the Huang-aggregated funds returned them or donated them elsewhere, Jackson kept the money, saying Huang's $1,000 contribution to his campaign was within legal limits.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=%22000253%22 |title=Jackson on John Huang Contribution |access-date=2008-09-17 |date=March 3, 1997 |publisher=Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912183449/http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=%22000253%22 |archive-date=September 12, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06EFDF1E31F931A35750C0A961958260|title= Fund-Raiser Helped Members of Congress|access-date=2008-04-18|date=March 2, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Wayne, Leslie}}</ref>

Jackson won the Democratic primary with 48% of the vote to Jones's 39%, with the rest of the votes scattered among the other three candidates.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1995-11-29|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. Wins Primary in Chicago (Published 1995)|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/29/world/jesse-jackson-jr-wins-primary-in-chicago.html|access-date=2020-10-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Hardy|first1=Thomas|last2=Rubin|first2=Bonnie|date=29 November 1995|title=JESSE JACKSON JR. ROLLS OVER VETERAN OPPONENTS|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-11-29-9511290280-story.html|access-date=2020-10-28|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The Republicans nominated Thomas Somer. Since the district was overwhelmingly Democratic, Jackson was the favorite for the December 12, 1995 special election.<ref name=JJJWPiC>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E3DD1139F93AA15752C1A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Wins Primary in Chicago|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 29, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Jackson won the general election with 76% of the vote;<ref name=JW>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5327,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008032128/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5327,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Junior Wins|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 13, 1995|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983823,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201164443/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983823,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2008|title=This Week|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 11, 1995|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author= August, Melissa, Lina Lofaro, Alice Park, Jeffrey C. Rubin, Alain L. Sanders, and Sidney Urquhart}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/951225/archive_033721.htm |title=Whitewater: Smoking Gun or Squirt Gun?; A Long Way from His Shoeshine Stand |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=December 17, 1995 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231729/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/951225/archive_033721.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref> his victory was widely anticipated.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983897,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307073248/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983897,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2008|title=This Week|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 25, 1995|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author= Horowitz, Janice M., Lina Lofaro, Michael Quinn, Jeffrey C. Rubin, Alain L. Sanders, and Sidney Urquhart}}</ref> Upon his victory, Jackson made it known he would be a liberal voice in opposition to [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]] [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref name=VHJJJHtC/> He took office on December 15, 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506E3DC1739F936A25751C1A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Sworn in as House Member|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 15, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Jackson was perceived as less charismatic than his father and less credentialed than his predecessor, but his family pedigree was expected to help him politically.<ref name=JW/><ref name=FMS/> In August 1996, Somer withdrew from a rematch leaving Jackson with no major party opposition in the November 1996 general election.<ref name=IL>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985457,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029214011/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985457,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Illinois|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 4, 1996|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> As a result, Jackson received 94% of the vote in the general election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E3DC1E38F934A35752C1A960958260|title= Results of Contests For the U.S. House, District by District|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 7, 1996|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

As he prepared to [[Al Gore 2000 presidential campaign|run for president in 2000]], Vice President [[Al Gore]] attempted to maintain good relations with the Jackson family, hoping to discourage Jackson's father from running for president against him. Jackson received a congratulatory call from Gore after his election in 1995. In 1998, Gore campaigned for and advised Jackson, and went out of his way to instruct aides to create a vice presidential event in Jackson's district to boost Jackson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/22/magazine/the-gore-guide-to-the-future.html|title= The Gore Guide to the Future|access-date=2008-04-19|date=February 22, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Berke, Richard L.}}</ref>

The 2nd District was overwhelmingly black when Jackson was first elected and remained so after the [[redistricting]] process following the [[United States Census, 2000|2000 Census]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/il/district-2/|title=Illinois, District 2 Census Data|access-date=2008-04-20|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070820062200/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/il/district-2/ |archive-date = August 20, 2007}}</ref> Jackson won re-election in [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2000|2000]] by a 90–10 margin over Robert Gordon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E4DD1738F93AA35752C1A9669C8B63|title= The 2000 Elections: Congress; Electing the New Congress: Races for the House and Senate|access-date=2008-04-20|date=November 9, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

In 2001, the [[Federal Election Commission]] ruled that Jackson could hire his wife on his campaign payroll as long as she was paid no more than the fair market value for her services.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-26-ethic-gray-areas_x.htm|title=DeLay has company in ethical gray areas|access-date=2008-04-21|date=April 26, 2005|work=[[USA TODAY]]|author1=Drinkard, Jim |author2=Kathy Kiely}}</ref> In 2002, Jackson was challenged in the Democratic primary by three candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.elections.il.gov/electioninformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=18&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=3299&QueryType=Office& |title=2002 primary results |access-date=November 27, 2012 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018235632/http://www.elections.il.gov/electioninformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=18&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=3299&QueryType=Office& |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jackson claimed that state Sen. [[William Shaw (Illinois politician)|William Shaw]] and his brother, [[Cook County]] Board of Review Commissioner [[Robert Shaw (Illinois politician)|Robert Shaw]], had planted a bogus candidate in the primary race. The claim was that they selected 68-year-old retired [[Robbins, Illinois|Robbins]] truck driver, Jesse L. Jackson, as an opponent in order to confuse voters and derail the congressman's re-election campaign. Jackson asked a Cook County court to question the Shaws and others under oath, but his effort was rejected and no criminal wrongdoing was found.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05EFD81138F934A25752C0A9649C8B63|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Sues Challenger|access-date=2008-04-20|date=January 17, 2002|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Shanton, Elizabeth}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407E4D91538F936A25752C0A9649C8B63|title= Lawmaker Loses Bid to Question Opponents|access-date=2008-04-20|date=January 15, 2002|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> As Jackson prepared to take further legal action, Jesse L. Jackson withdrew his candidacy after the unexpected deaths of his wife and grandson.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-02-02-0202020268-story.html|title= Jackson's same-name foe quits race|access-date=2023-06-11|date=February 2, 2002 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Janega, James}}</ref>

[[File:Jesse Jackson Jr, official 109th Congressional photo.jpg|thumb|upright|Jackson's official 109th Congressional portrait]]
Jackson won re-election in the [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2004|2004 House of Representatives elections]] by a wide margin over Stephanie Kennedy Sailor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00EFDD173CF937A35752C1A9629C8B63|title=The 2004 Elections: Congress; The Races for the House|access-date=2008-04-20|date=November 4, 2004|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In 2005, Jackson supported legislation that gave the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit|United States Federal Court of Appeals]] jurisdiction over the [[Terri Schiavo case]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/30/national/30schiavo.html|title=Jesse Jackson Takes Up Cause of Schiavo's Parents|access-date=2008-04-20|date=March 30, 2005|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Goodnough, Abby}}</ref> In the [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2006|2006 election]] among Jackson's opponents was [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] candidate and African-American pastor Anthony Williams, an outspoken opponent of immigration.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/magazine/09IMM.html|title=The Immigration Equation|access-date=2008-04-21|date=July 9, 2006|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Lowenstein, Roger}}</ref> Jackson won with 85% of the vote.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/ref/elections/2006/IL.html 2006 results]</ref>

===Tenure===
Jackson quickly built a track record of never missing a floor vote.<ref name=RW/><ref name=JJJADV/> Once he nearly missed his great-grandmother's funeral for a roll call, but the presiding officer was able to slightly delay the closing of the roll, thereby keeping his attendance record.<ref name=RW/> Fellow Democrats said he debates and votes with a contentiousness that makes it difficult to view him as a team player.<ref name=JJJADV/> Jackson developed foes not only in the House, but also in Chicago against William Daley, who had a hand in several attempts to block Jackson's seating on the transportation committee he desired because of his support for a third Chicago airport.<ref name=JJJADV/> Jackson has also been a target of conservative media figures.<ref name=JJJADV/> Jackson established a heavily liberal voting record on both social and fiscal issues.<ref name=IHJLJ>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Jesse_Louis_Jackson.htm|title=Illinois House: Jesse Louis Jackson|access-date=2008-04-22|publisher=OnTheIssues.org & the SpeakOut Foundation}}</ref><ref name=WDJW/> During the 1990s, because of his [[name recognition]] and liberal track record, Jackson received many public speaking and media requests.<ref name=RW>{{cite news|title=Riding the Airwaves to Prominence: Rhetorical Warriors|publisher=Congressional Quarterly|work=CQ Fifty|date=October 30, 1999|pages=115–117}}</ref>

After being elected, Jackson attempted to parlay his popularity into a seat on the [[United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]], using the leverage of his ability to perform [[voter registration]] drives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Periscope: Jesse Jr's Quid Pro Quo|work=[[Newsweek]]|date=February 26, 1996|page=6}}</ref> In the [[United States elections, 1996|1996 elections]], Jackson began to rival his father as a requested visitor to congressional districts with 36 requests from congressional colleagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/961007/archive_033759.htm |title=Jesse Jackson's Newest Rival: Jesse Jr.; Crunch Point?; On Their Own; Court Politics; Spy vs. Spies; High on 42nd Street |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=September 29, 1996 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |author=Stanglin, Douglas, Jerelyn Eddings, Kenneth T. Walsh, Kevin Whitelaw, Edward T. Pound, Jeff Trimble and Linda Fasulo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231749/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/961007/archive_033759.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref> He was typically sent on the "black circuit" without any notification to the press when he campaigned for other candidates.<ref name=JJJIHFSBHRBtR/> Jackson made 30 appearances for Democratic congressional candidates in 1998.<ref name=JJJADV/>

Jackson had some controversial interactions with Jewish leaders in his early years in office. In 1996, his message of unity and cooperation with the Jews was met with skepticism.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5D61039F937A15756C0A960958260|title= Metro Digest|access-date=2008-04-19|date=May 24, 1996|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In 1997, Jackson was criticized for offering mere disagreement with anti-Semitic remarks made by [[Louis Farrakhan]] while he was in New York City for the mayoral race; Jewish leaders were unsatisfied by Jackson's response to Farrakhan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E6DC103CF932A25757C0A961958260|title= 2 Standards About Words on Farrakhan|access-date=2008-04-19|date=April 11, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Haberman, Clyde}}</ref> In 1997, ''[[Newsweek]]'' mentioned Jackson in their list of 100 people to watch in the new century, dubbed "the Century Club", and raised the question of whether he would be the first black president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/109162/page/8|title=The Century Club: A Newsweek List Of 100 People To Watch As America Prepares To Pass Through The Gate To The Next Millennium|access-date=2008-04-18|date=April 21, 1997|work=[[Newsweek]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215192729/http://www.newsweek.com/id/109162/page/8|archive-date=February 15, 2010}} [http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/1997/04/21/the-century-club.html Alt URL]</ref> Jackson criticized the [[Bill Clinton administration]] for working with Republicans and voted in dissent on several notable bills that were the products of compromise between Democrats and Republicans.<ref name=RW/> Jackson preferred direct aid and debt relief to trade reform as a method of helping impoverished nations such as those of [[sub-Saharan Africa]] and the [[Caribbean Basin]], fearing that relaxed trade regulations would possibly benefit corporations and exploit labor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/000306/archive_021446.htm |title=Trade Wars Become the Thrilla on the Hill: Strange allies line up for a high-stakes fight |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=February 27, 2000 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |author=Allen, Jodie T. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231708/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/000306/archive_021446.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DEFDC1539F935A25750C0A96E958260|title= Bill to Push Africa Trade Is Approved|access-date=2008-04-19|date=March 16, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Schmitt, Eric}}</ref> He is also an opponent of incentives for corporations to invest in developing nations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE2D91F3BF931A2575AC0A960958260|title= Foreign Investment Agency Is Rebuffed in House Vote|access-date=2008-04-18|date=September 12, 1996|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Schmitt, Eric}}</ref> He was outspoken on issues of minority hiring in information technology.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E5DC123DF937A35754C0A96F958260|title= Personal Business; Filling a Skill Shortage, Close to Home|access-date=2008-04-19|date=July 4, 1999|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Harmon, Amy}}</ref> Jackson voted against the [[impeachment of Bill Clinton]], voting against all four [[Article of impeachment|articles]] of [[Federal impeachment in the United States|impeachment]] considered by the House.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/housevote/il.htm Clinton impeachment vote]</ref>
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In late 2000, as word spread that President-elect George W. Bush intended to appoint both [[Colin Powell]], [[Condoleezza Rice]] and a third unnamed black to the [[United States Cabinet]], Jackson sought to prevent blacks from supporting Bush as Bush planned to reach out to blacks.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,90471,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124073700/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,90471,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2001|title=No Toms Need Apply|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 3, 2000|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=White, Jack E.}}</ref> Jackson partnered with Republican [[Henry Hyde]] to push for a third Chicago airport. Jackson said Hyde was the right wing complement to his own left wing role in pursuing support for the airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-07-hyde-retirement_x.htm|title=Hyde leaving Congress with mixed feelings|access-date=2008-04-21|date=December 7, 2006|work=[[USA TODAY]]|author=Keily, Kathy}}</ref> Jackson has withheld support for local Democrats who would not support the airport, such as 1998 Democratic gubernatorial nominee [[Glenn Poshard]].<ref name=JJJADV>{{cite news |title=Jesse Jackson Jr.: A Different Vision |date=September 18, 2009|author=Luker, Amanda |work=[[Utne Reader]] |url=http://www.utne.com/community/jessejacksonjradifferentvision.aspx#axzz3N8zvqy7U }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E0D91638F93BA15754C0A96E958260|title= Democrats Cast Wary Eye on One of Their Own|access-date=2008-04-19|date=July 28, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Johnson, Dirk}}</ref>

On January 6, 2001, Jackson and other members of the House of Representatives objected to counting the 25 electoral votes from [[Florida]] which [[George W. Bush]] narrowly won after a contentious [[2000 Florida presidential election recount|recount]]. Because no senator joined his objection, the objection was dismissed by Vice President [[Al Gore]], who was Bush's opponent in the [[2000 United States presidential election|2000 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-07-mn-9426-story.html|title = Objections Aside, a Smiling Gore Certifies Bush| website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date = January 7, 2001}}</ref>

In 2004, Jackson supported the [[Ho-Chunk]] tribe's proposal for a [[casino]] within his district in [[Lynwood, Illinois]]. The proposal was to build the largest casino in the state as part of an entertainment complex.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E4D81439F93AA25755C0A9629C8B63|title= Plan for Indian Casino Splits Illinois Town|access-date=2008-04-21|date=June 19, 2004|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Napolitano, Jo}}</ref> In 2005, Jackson sponsored a bill for the creation and acquisition of a life-size [[statue]] of [[Rosa Parks]] to be placed in [[Statuary Hall]] at the [[United States Capitol]]. The bill approving the funding for the statue was signed by President Bush on December 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/il02_jackson/060607FundsForRosaParksStatue.html |title=Jackson Secures Funds For Rosa Parks Statue |access-date=2008-04-21 |publisher=house.gov |author=Watkins, Frank |date=June 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327201153/http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/il02_jackson/060607FundsForRosaParksStatue.html |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=BsbfRPsiC>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-01-rosaparksbill_x.htm|title=Bush signs bill for Rosa Parks statue in Capitol|date=December 1, 2005|access-date=2008-04-21|work=[[USA TODAY]]}}</ref>

After the 2004 elections, Jackson became vocal in supporting [[election reform]], disliking the way election rules differ across jurisdictions, saying that the U.S. "is founded on the constitutional foundation of 'states' rights'—50 states, 3,067 counties and 13,000 different election jurisdictions, all separate and unequal."<ref name=IDaV>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/47982|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070815200832/http://www.newsweek.com/id/47982|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 15, 2007|title=In Defeat, a Victory?|access-date=2008-04-18|date=January 7, 2005|work=[[Newsweek]]|author=Briscoe, Daren}}</ref> He was one of the 31 House Democrats who voted to not count the 20 [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral vote]]s from [[Ohio]] in the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]], despite Republican President George Bush winning the state by 118,457 votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/|title=Bush carries Electoral College after delay|date=January 6, 2005|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 7: On Agreeing to the Objection|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll007.xml|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives|access-date=December 24, 2012|date=January 6, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/politics/ohio-recount-gives-a-smaller-margin-to-bush.html|title = Ohio Recount Gives a Smaller Margin to Bush|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date = December 29, 2004|last1 = Salvato|first1 = Albert}}</ref> He also proposed legislation for uniform voting standards that was supported by black leaders.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/election2004/candidates/sharpton_courts.html |title=Al Sharpton: Courts and Civil Liberties |access-date=2008-04-30 |date=May 4, 2004 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041125140230/http://www.time.com/time/election2004/candidates/sharpton_courts.html |archive-date=November 25, 2004 }}</ref>
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Jackson and [[Zach Wamp]] were spokespersons for the changing the name of the main hall of the [[United States Capitol Visitor Center]] from the Great Hall to [[Emancipation Hall]]. The [[Library of Congress]]'s main hall was already designated Great Hall. Some had wanted further feedback on naming possibilities, but the [[United States House Committee on Appropriations]] approved the new name, and it passed the House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/appropriators-rename-main-cvc-hall-and-ok-funding-for-legislative-branch-2007-06-13.html|title=Appropriators rename main CVC hall and OK funding for legislative branch|access-date=2008-05-23|date=June 13, 2007|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|author=McCormack, Kelly|archive-date=January 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120105425/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/appropriators-rename-main-cvc-hall-and-ok-funding-for-legislative-branch-2007-06-13.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jackson was one of the liberal leaders who supported a fixed timetable for Iraq troop withdrawals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_070425.htm |title=W-ashington News |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=April 25, 2007 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015231739/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_070425.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref> In 2007, he has also co-sponsored (along with [[Roy Blunt]]), legislation providing nearly $1 million to each family that lost someone to the [[al-Qaida]] activities in the [[1998 United States embassy bombings]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-10-02-3881778286_x.htm|title=House would pay 1998 bomb victims|access-date=2008-04-21|date=October 3, 2007|work=[[USA TODAY]]}}</ref> In 2007 Jackson voiced an interest in initiating impeachment proceedings against President Bush for "crimes against the Constitution of the United States."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/07/flood_the_scooter_zone.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008051232/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/07/flood_the_scooter_zone.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2008|title=Flood the Scooter Zone|access-date=2008-04-18|date=July 3, 2007|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Bevan, Tom}}</ref>

In March 2011, Jackson attracted ridicule for a speech he made on the House floor proposing a constitutional amendment for "equal education rights", which he illustrated by proposing that every student in America receive an iPad from the federal government.<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/85118-congressman-stands-by-his-proposal-an-ipad-for-every-student/ Congressman stands by his proposal: An iPad for every student]</ref> In April 2011, Jackson spoke on the house floor, blaming the [[iPad]] for "eliminating thousands of American jobs."<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. blames iPad for higher unemployment |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/04/18/jesse-jackson-jr-blames-ipad-for-higher-unemployment/|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 18, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2012|first=Rob|last=Manker}}</ref> In the February 27, 2007 Chicago municipal elections, Jackson's wife, [[Sandi Jackson]], won the election for [[Chicago City Council|Alderman]] in Chicago's 7th ward.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:DSOB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=117EE282ECC18CD0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Election 2007: Chicago: Corruption hurts Troutman, but Daley gets away unscathed|access-date=2009-02-16|date=February 28, 2007|work=[[Daily Southtown]] | first=Jonathan | last=Lipman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoelections.com/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=65 |access-date=2009-02-16 |publisher=Chicago Board of Elections Commission |year=2007 |title=February, 2007 Municipal – Alderman 7th Ward |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115151315/http://www.chicagoelections.com/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=65 |archive-date=January 15, 2009 }}</ref>

[[File:Jesse Jackson, Jr. DNC 2008.jpg|thumb|Jackson speaks on the first day of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado]].]]
Jackson gave a prime-time speech at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] on August 25, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.demconvention.com/jesse-jackson-jr/ |title=U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., IL-2 |access-date=2009-02-16 |date=August 25, 2008 |publisher=Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104001049/http://www.demconvention.com/jesse-jackson-jr/ |archive-date=January 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> During his speech he referenced [[Martin Luther King Jr.]], stating, "I'm sure that Dr. King is looking down on us here in Denver noting this is the first political convention in history to take place within sight of a mountain top."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2008/08/25/prnewswire200808252146PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC31528.html|title=2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Jesse Jackson Jr., Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois|access-date=2008-08-28|date=August 25, 2008|work=[[Forbes]]}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/437|title=Jackson sees the mountain top|access-date=2008-08-28|date=August 25, 2008|work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]}}</ref> Jackson said, "I know Barack Obama. I've seen his leadership at work. I've seen the difference he has made in the lives of people across Illinois."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836041,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827053009/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836041,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2008|title=Telling Obama's American Story|access-date=2008-10-12|date=August 26, 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Von Drehle, David}}</ref> At the convention, Jackson started what was described as a "hugfest" in an attempt to unite the Illinois Democratic party, which had been squabbling internally. He started by hugging [[Bobby Rush]] (who had been upset that Jackson's wife was being positioned for Rush's seat when Rush had been ill earlier in the year) and then he hugged [[Debbie Halvorson]], who had been at odds with him over the proposed airport. He then asked if anyone else was mad at him. At this point Mayor Daley jumped up to hug Jackson. Jackson then said, "I'm not going to be satisfied until I see [[Rod Blagojevich]] give [[Michael Madigan|Mike Madigan]] a hug."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/08/illinois-democr.html|title=Illinois Democratic hug fest at convention (with video)|access-date=2008-08-31|date=August 27, 2008|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Pearson, Rick}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.southtownstar.com/convention/2008/08/slideshow_update_jesse_jackson.html |title=Slideshow update: Jesse Jackson Jr.'s morning hugfest (with video and slideshow) |access-date=2008-11-15 |date=August 27, 2008 |work=[[Southtown Star]] |author=FitzPatrick, Lauren |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716112752/http://blogs.southtownstar.com/convention/2008/08/slideshow_update_jesse_jackson.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref>

Before the entire Congress was charged with mitigating the [[2008 financial crisis]] and the [[Great Recession]], Jackson proposed that the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] increase the allotment of [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|food stamps]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/nyregion/22food.html|title=Food Stamps Buy Less; Families Are Hit Hard |access-date=2008-11-21|date=June 22, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Kaufman, Leslie}}</ref> During the congressional debates on a federal bailout, Jackson worried about the viability of various plan iterations to his constituents. Although only two years earlier he spoke of [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] in glowing terms, he could not support the late-September version of the legislation she was proposing because he felt it contained inadequate homeowner protections.<ref name=BaHCRPoB>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/washington/01hispanics.html|title=Black and Hispanic Caucuses Resisted Pelosi on Bailout|access-date=2008-11-21|date=September 30, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Archibold, Randal C.}}</ref> Although he voted against the bill on September 29, 2008, he voted in support of the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]] on October 3, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/10/6/the-bailout-bills-flip-floppers.html |title=The Bailout Bill's Flip-Floppers |access-date=2008-11-22 |date=October 6, 2008 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |author=Mullins, Luke |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108121159/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/10/6/the-bailout-bills-flip-floppers.html |archive-date=November 8, 2008 }}</ref> He later expressed concerns in a ''New York Times'' [[op-ed]] article about the implications that the eventual bill had on enfranchisement due to the lack of protections for homeowners as it relates to voting rights.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE2D7153DF93AA35753C1A96E9C8B63|title=Letter; Protecting Voting Rights|access-date=2008-11-21|date=October 9, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Jackson, Jesse Jr.}}</ref> Jackson sponsored legislation to make the [[Pullman District]] a [[National Park Service]] jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-23/pullman-historical-site-Chicago/53259328/1|title=Chicago's Pullman District could become a national park site|access-date=2012-04-22|date=February 26, 2012|work=[[USA Today]]|author=Keen, Judy}}</ref> On April 21, 2012, Jackson held a symbolic groundbreaking for the proposed third airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-peotone-airport-jesse-jackson-jr.-groundbreaking,0,5236067.story|title=Rep. Jackson holds symbolic groundbreaking for Peotone airport|access-date=2012-04-22|date=April 21, 2012|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422072516/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-peotone-airport-jesse-jackson-jr.-groundbreaking,0,5236067.story|archive-date=April 22, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

====Committee assignments====
*[[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]
**[[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies]]
**[[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs|Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs]]

Jackson was also appointed to the [[Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission]] in 2003.<ref name=BoRJLJJ/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/about-the-commission/c/commissioners/jackson/default.aspx |title=Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr. |access-date=2008-04-22 |publisher=Library of Congress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430081801/http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/about-the-commission/c/commissioners/jackson/default.aspx |archive-date=April 30, 2008 }}</ref> He was among the scholars and politicians adding commentaries to ''Lincoln in Illinois'' which was published by the Abraham Lincoln Association and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/137186|title=Whole Lotta Lincoln: Lincoln's bicentennial will be packed with books, exhibitions, debates, contests and a Spielberg movie|access-date=2008-10-12|date=May 15, 2008|work=[[Newsweek]]|author=Springen, Karen}}</ref> The book had been expected in the fall but was published in June 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lincoln-in-Illinois/Octavia-Roberts/e/9780548914311/?itm=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716164233/http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lincoln-in-Illinois/Octavia-Roberts/e/9780548914311/?itm=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-16|title=Lincoln in Illinois|access-date=2008-10-12|year=2008|publisher=Barnesandnoble.com llc}}</ref>

===Health issues===
On June 10, 2012, Jackson took a medical leave of absence from the House, citing exhaustion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/13408948-418/us-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-takes-medical-leave-for-exhaustion.html|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. takes medical leave for 'exhaustion'|access-date=2012-07-05|date=June 25, 2012|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|first=Michael|last=Sneed}}</ref> On July 11, 2012, Jackson's office said he was being treated for a mood disorder at a residential treatment facility. His office denied speculation that he was being treated for alcoholism.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rep. Jackson suffering from "mood disorder"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-jackson-suffering-from-mood-disorder/|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=July 12, 2012}}</ref> On August 13, 2012, it was confirmed by numerous news outlets that Jackson was being treated for [[bipolar disorder]].<ref name="bipolar">{{Cite magazine |url=https://healthland.time.com/2012/08/16/jesse-jackson-jr-s-bipolar-2-a-diagnosis-muddled-by-the-market/ |title=Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Bipolar 2: A Diagnosis Muddled by the Market |last=Szalavitz |first=Maia |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=2012-08-16}}</ref>

==Campaign fraud==
In October 2012, federal prosecutors and [[FBI]] agents in Washington, D.C., investigated Jackson for alleged financial improprieties, including possible misuse of campaign funds.<ref name="suntimes">{{cite news|last=Korecki|first=Natasha|author-link=Natasha Korecki|title=Feds probe 'suspicious activity' in Jesse Jackson Jr.'s finances: sources|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/15716117-418/feds-now-probing-suspicious-activity-in-rep-jesse-jackson-jrs-finances-sources-say.html |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=October 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. to resign from Congress|url=http://usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/21/jesse-jackson-jr-resign-congress/1719963/|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=November 21, 2012|first1=Catalina|last1=Camia|first2=Susan|last2=Davis|date=November 21, 2012}}</ref> Sixteen days after being re-elected to another term, Jackson resigned effective on November 21, 2012, citing his health problems and acknowledging the ethics investigations.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/21/politics/illinois-jackson-resigns/index.html Jesse Jackson Jr. quits Congress, cites health reasons]</ref>

Jackson and wife Sandi signed plea agreements in early February 2013. Jackson Jr. agreed to plead guilty to charges of fraud, conspiracy, making false statements, [[mail fraud]], [[wire fraud]], and [[criminal forfeiture]]—having used about $750,000 in campaign money for over 3000 personal purchases that included a [[Michael Jackson]] [[fedora]] and [[cashmere wool|cashmere]] capes.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Katherine |last1=Skiba |first2=Jeff |last2=Coen |first3=Wes |last3=Venteicher |title=Jacksons' guilt a tale of excess |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/02/20/jacksons-guilt-a-tale-of-excess-3/ |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=2013-02-20}}</ref>

The [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] filed the charges on February 15, 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. signs plea deal in federal investigation |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/18098204-418/jesse-jackson-jr-signs-plea-deal-in-federal-investigation.html |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. Charged in Misuse of Campaign Money |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-charged-in-misuse-of-campaign-money.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 15, 2013 |first=Michael S. |last=Schmidt |date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> and Jackson pleaded guilty on February 20, 2013, to one count of wire and mail fraud in connection with his misuse of $750,000 of campaign funds. On June 7, 2013, federal prosecutors indicated that they sought a four-year prison sentence for Jackson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/feds-four-years-in-prison-for-ex-rep-jackson-jr-92421.html|title=Feds: 4 years in prison for ex-Rep. Jackson Jr.|access-date=September 23, 2013|date=June 7, 2013|work=[[Politico]]|author1=Bresnahan, John |author2=Josh Gerstein}}</ref> On August 14, 2013, Jackson was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison,<ref name="Chicago Sun Times"/> while wife Sandi was sentenced to 12 months in prison for filing false tax returns in an attempt to conceal the crimes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://us.cnn.com/2013/08/14/justice/jesse-jackson-jr-sentencing/index.html?hpt=hp_t2|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. going to prison; says he 'manned up'|author1=Merica, Dan |author2=Lazo, Larry |author3=Bentz, Leslie |date=August 14, 2013|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=August 15, 2013}}</ref> Their sentences were not concurrent; Jackson served his, and after his release she served hers. The staggered sentences allowed for the Jackson children to have access to one parent during the time the other was in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-sentenced-to-30-months.html|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. Gets 30 Months, and His Wife 12, to Be Served at Separate Times|access-date=September 23, 2013|date=August 15, 2013|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Southall, Ashley}}</ref>

===Prison and release===
On October 26, 2013, Jackson reported to the [[Federal Correctional Complex, Butner|Federal Correctional Complex]] in [[Butner, North Carolina|Butner]], near [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], North Carolina, to begin serving his sentence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/28/21220938-ex-congressman-jesse-jackson-jr-checks-in-to-famous-federal-prison-in-nc|title=Jesse Jackson Jr.}}</ref>

On March 26, 2015, Jackson was released from the minimum-security [[Federal Prison Camp, Montgomery]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]], to serve the rest of his sentence at a [[halfway house]] (the Volunteers of America Chesapeake facility in [[Baltimore, Maryland]]). After being released, Jackson was required to complete another three years on supervised release and perform 500 hours of community service.<ref>Scott Neuman, [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/03/26/395493452/former-illinois-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-released-from-prison Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Released From Prison], NPR (March 26, 2015).</ref><ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-jesse-jackson-jr-prison-release-met-0327-20150326-story.html Katherine Skiba, Jesse Jackson Jr. arrives at halfway house, asks for 'a second chance'], ''Chicago Tribune'', March 27, 2015.</ref> He was released in the morning of June 22, 2015, after spending three months serving his remaining sentence in a halfway house.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150622/NEWS02/150629995/jesse-jackson-jr-released-from-halfway-house |title=Jesse Jackson Jr. leaves halfway house for D.C. home|publisher=Chicagobusiness.com|date=2015-06-22|access-date=2020-05-14}}</ref>

==Other political activities==

===2000 presidential election===
Jackson reluctantly supported [[Al Gore]] when he became the Democratic presidential nominee, saying Gore and his running mate [[Joe Lieberman]] were not liberal enough but that he supported Gore as the only alternative to [[George W. Bush]]. Jackson criticized Lieberman and the campaign for emphasizing the importance of personal morality in American politicians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDF1E3FF936A2575BC0A9669C8B63|title= The Democrats: The Legacy; Like His Father, Jesse Jackson Jr. Raises Voice for the Left|access-date=2008-04-20|date=August 15, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Sack, Kevin}}</ref> Nevertheless, Jackson indicated he would persuade liberal voters unenthusiastic about Gore to support the Democratic ticket, rather than [[Green Party of the United States|Green Party]] nominee [[Ralph Nader 2000 presidential campaign|Ralph Nader]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Legacy: Like His Father, Jesse Jackson Jr. Raises Voice for the Left|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/081500dem-cvn-jackson.html|access-date=2021-11-10|website=archive.nytimes.com}}</ref>

Despite his criticism of the Gore campaign, Jackson was still mentioned as a possible appointee for [[United States Secretary of Education]] if Gore was elected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DE0DC1031F935A15753C1A9669C8B63|title= Essay; The Great Mentioning|access-date=2008-04-20|date=October 26, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Saffire, William}}</ref>

===2007 mayoral election===
Rep. Jackson considered entering the [[2007 Chicago mayoral election]], challenging 18-year incumbent [[Richard M. Daley]], pledging to make a decision after the [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E4DE1731F934A3575AC0A9609C8B63|series= National Briefing |title=Midwest: Illinois: Jackson's Son Considers Bid For Mayor|access-date=2008-04-20|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 7, 2006}}</ref> On November 8, 2006, he announced that he would not seek the mayoralty.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2006/11/the_lure_of_the_majority.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116054131/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2006/11/the_lure_of_the_majority.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2006|title=The Lure of the Majority|access-date=2008-04-18|date=November 13, 2006|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Bevan, Tom}}</ref>

===Support for Barack Obama===
Jackson was speculated as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate in [[United States Senate election in Illinois, 2004|2004]], but declined to run and instead became one of [[Barack Obama]]'s early supporters.<ref name=TAoH>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/56224|title='The Audacity of Hope': Barack Obama: The Dems' Freshest Face Has a New Challenge: To Help His Party Relocate Its Moral Core. Meet Him—And Nine Others Who Will Shape Our World|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 27, 2004|work=[[Newsweek]]|author=Alter, Jonathan}}</ref> He endorsed [[Howard Dean]] for the [[2004 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2004 Democratic presidential nomination]], joining Al Gore in saying Dean was the most likely candidate in the primary to beat Bush.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505EFDA143FF93AA25751C1A9659C8B63|title= Some Democrats Uneasy About Dean as Nominee|access-date=2008-04-20|date=December 19, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|author1=Seelye, Katharine Q. |author2=Robin Toner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05EEDB1E31F93BA15753C1A9659C8B63|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Throws His Support to Dean|access-date=2008-04-20|date=October 28, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Wilgoren, Jodi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B05E2D7143DF936A35751C1A9659C8B63|title= Sharpton Runs for Presidency, and Influence|access-date=2008-04-25|date=December 5, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Slackman, Michael}}</ref> The endorsement was a bitter blow to the hopes of candidate [[Al Sharpton]], who had hoped for endorsements from both Jackson and his father.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200407/bowden2|title=Pompadour With a Monkey Wrench|access-date=2008-04-22 |date=July–August 2004|work=[[Atlantic Monthly]]|author=Bowden, Mark}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2003-11-30/no-wonder-howard-dean-is-so-angry |title=No Wonder Howard Dean Is So Angry |date=December 1, 2003 |work=[[Bloomberg BusinessWeek]] |author=Scotti, Ciro |access-date=October 18, 2015}}</ref>

Jackson was a national co-chairman of [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign]].<ref name=TPL/> As such, he is involved in garnering support from the [[List of superdelegates at the 2008 Democratic National Convention|superdelegates]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/03/what_obama_should_say.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321173416/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/03/what_obama_should_say.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 21, 2008|title=What Obama Should Say|access-date=2008-04-18|date=March 18, 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Dvorak, Blake}}</ref> During the campaign, he provided the voice for some advertisements such as one [[South Carolina]] radio ad in which he said: "Once, South Carolina voted for my father, and sent a strong message to the nation, ... Next year, you can send more than a message. You can launch a president.'"<ref name=WN102407>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_071024.htm |title=Washington News |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=October 24, 2007 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402100133/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_071024.htm |archive-date=April 2, 2008 }}</ref> When describing Obama, he stated that "Barack Obama is not speaking as a friend of the community; he's part of the community ... He doesn't always tell people what they want to hear. He tells them what they need to hear.'"<ref name=WN102407/> During the campaign, he described Obama as the first "successor" of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] to use the thoughtful and careful approach to language to frame social debate in a way that is unlikely to alienate whites and noted his ability to get various factions to agree with him and his political positions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E3DE153EF93BA35755C0A96E9C8B63|title=Color Test; Where Whites Draw the Line |access-date=2008-11-21|date=June 8, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Mabry, Marcus}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/us/politics/11chicago.html|title=The Long Run: Pragmatic Politics, Forged on the South Side |access-date=2008-11-21|date=May 11, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author1=Becker, Jo |author2=Christopher Drew}}</ref>

Jackson had a lengthy relationship with Obama. Obama's [[Illinois State Senate]] 13th district that he served from 1997 to 2005 was within Jackson's district. Jackson's sister [[Santita Jackson|Santita]] was a close friend of [[Michelle Obama]] and served as a [[bridesmaid]] at the Obama wedding.<ref name=ABCWHOFL/> In 2008, Jackson's father, Jesse Jackson, wrote an [[op-ed]] in the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' attacking presidential candidate Obama for his lack of activist involvement;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11D2FCEBD7ADF360&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Most Democratic candidates are ignoring African Americans – It is no longer acceptable for candidates to turn a blind eye to discrimination|access-date=2008-04-24|date=November 27, 2007|author=Jackson, Jesse|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|author-link=Jesse Jackson}}</ref> Jackson Junior responded sharply in the same paper with a defense of Obama.<ref name=ABCWHOFL>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/politics/29obama.html|title=A Biracial Candidate Walks His Own Fine Line|access-date=2008-04-20|date=December 29, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Scott, Janny}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/678092,CST-EDT-vox03.article |title=Jesse Jr. to Jesse Sr.: You're wrong on Obama, dad |access-date=2008-04-24 |date=December 3, 2007 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206162245/http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/678092%2CCST-EDT-vox03.article |archive-date=December 6, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011102000_2.html|title= As Obama Rises, Old Guard Civil Rights Leaders Scowl|access-date=2008-05-27|date=January 13, 2008|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Cobb, William Jelani}}</ref>

On July 6, 2008, Jackson's father said he thought Obama talks down to black people, and unaware he was near a live [[microphone]] offhandedly commented that he would like to "cut [Obama's] nuts off". Jackson Junior quickly expressed his outrage at and disappointment in his father's "ugly rhetoric".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/09/jesse.jackson.comment/index.html|title=Jackson apologizes for 'crude' Obama remarks|access-date=2008-07-11|publisher=[[Cable News Network|CNN]]|date=July 9, 2008}}</ref> Jackson's father said he was expressing his disappointment in Obama's [[Father's Day]] speech chastisement of Black fathers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/magazine/10politics-t.html|title=Is Obama the End of Black Politics? |access-date=2008-11-21|date=August 6, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Bai, Matt}}</ref>

===2009 U.S. Senate seat===
Jackson emerged as a possible candidate to replace [[Barack Obama]], who, after being elected President of the United States on November 4, 2008, officially resigned his seat in the U.S. Senate effective November 16.<ref name=OvlISsil>{{cite news|date=November 6, 2008|access-date=2009-02-12|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-il-obamasuccessor,0,5588285.story|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090209075933/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-il-obamasuccessor,0,5588285.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2009|title=Obama's victory leaves Ill. Senate seat in limbo|author=Conrad, Dennis}}</ref> The [[List of United States Senators from Illinois|class 3 Illinois Senate seat]] was up for re-election in 2010.<ref name=ECaRtFSV>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06successor.html|title=Election Creates a Race to Fill Senate Vacancies|access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 5, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Saulny, Susan}}</ref> Other contenders included [[Danny K. Davis|Danny Davis]], [[Jan Schakowsky]], [[Tammy Duckworth]], [[Emil Jones Jr.]], [[Kwame Raoul]], [[Daniel Hynes|Dan Hynes]], and [[Lisa Madigan]],<ref name=OvlISsil/> while other sources also mentioned [[Luis Gutierrez]] and [[Melissa Bean]].<ref name=ORBMSP>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/obamas-replacement-blagoj_n_141561.html|title=Obama's Replacement: Blagojevich Mulls Senate Pick|access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 5, 2008|work=[[HuffPost]]|first=Ben|last=Goldberger}}</ref> One early name mentioned, [[Valerie Jarrett]], withdrew her name from consideration and both Davis and Duckworth noted that they had not been contacted by the governor's office by the time Obama announced his resignation on November 13, 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1859020,00.html |title=Obama to Resign Senate Seat on Sunday |access-date=2008-11-22 |date=November 13, 2008 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |author=Sidoti, Liz |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122143031/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0%2C8599%2C1859020%2C00.html |archive-date=November 22, 2008 }}</ref> In a radio interview on the subject, Jackson cited his record on federal funding for his district, loyalty to Obama and diligence in voting in the U.S. House.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 8, 2008|publisher=[[NPR]]| work=[[Weekend Edition]]|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96778324|title=Jesse Jackson Jr.: Obama, Civil Rights And Illinois}}</ref> At the time, Obama was the only black U.S. Senator,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21justice.html|title=Obama Calls for Ouster of Official After Remark|access-date=2008-12-17|date=October 21, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Zeleny, Jeff}}</ref> and black leaders pressured Blagojevich to appoint a black successor. The ''[[Chicago Defender]]'' and ''[[Southtown Star]]'' both endorsed Jackson, who noted that public opinion polls show him as the favorite.<ref name=OvlISsil/><ref name=ORBMSP/> The selection was coming at a time when the Governor's public approval ratings were at an all-time low, which added to the pressure for him to make a selection that would be good for his own political perception,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/politics/13successor.html|title=Picking Obama Successor Puts Spotlight on Governor |access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 12, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Davey, Monica}}</ref> and it was believed that Jackson's constituency was one that the Governor might need to appease.<ref name=ECaRtFSV/> Although Obama and Duckworth laid a [[wreath]] together on [[Veterans Day (United States)|Veterans Day]], Obama did not endorse a successor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DE4DD1E30F937A25752C1A96E9C8B63|title=On The White House; If the Senate Reconvenes, Two Seats May Be Empty |access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 14, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Baker, Peter}}</ref> However, in an internal report filed by Obama legal advisor [[Greg Craig]], "Obama authorized Emanuel to pass on the names of four people he considered to be highly qualified to take over his seat – Illinois Comptroller [[Daniel Hynes|Dan Hynes]], Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director [[Tammy Duckworth]], Rep. [[Jan Schakowsky]] and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/12/24/news/a7-obama-blago.txt |title=Obama, top aides spoke with feds in corruption case |date=December 24, 2008 |access-date=2009-02-13 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[New Haven Register]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215195640/http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/12/24/news/a7-obama-blago.txt |archive-date=February 15, 2012 }}</ref>

On November 27, 2008, Blagojevich hinted that Davis might be his choice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1303920,CST-NWS-senate28.article |title=Blagojevich trumpets 'Sen. Davis' but says he hasn't decided on seat |access-date=2008-12-01 |date=November 28, 2008 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |author=Ihejirika, Maudlyne |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201045220/http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1303920%2CCST-NWS-senate28.article |archive-date=December 1, 2008 }}</ref> On December 6, the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' reported that Jackson was among the minority of potential candidates who had not been granted a meeting with Blagojevich on the subject,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-probedec06,0,4086543.story|title=Fellow Democrats are saying Gov. Rod Blagojevich's scandals could politically taint his selection for senator: Spotlight on Senate selection as pressure mounts|access-date=2008-12-07|date=December 6, 2008|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Pearson, Rick}}</ref> but two days later Blagojevich granted Jackson a meeting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/12/blagojevich-not.html|title=Blagojevich: 'Nothing but sunshine hanging over me'|access-date=2008-12-09|date=December 8, 2008|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Garcia, Monique}}</ref> On December 9, the day after a 90-minute meeting that Jackson described as his first meeting with Blagojevich in years,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/il02_jackson/morenews/081209CongressmanJacksonShockedByGovernorArrest.shtml |title=Congressman Jackson Is Shocked By Governor's Arrest |access-date=2008-12-10 |date=December 9, 2008 |publisher=house.gov |author=Jackson, Jesse Jr. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212030358/http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/il02_jackson/morenews/081209CongressmanJacksonShockedByGovernorArrest.shtml |archive-date=December 12, 2008 }}</ref> the [[Rod Blagojevich federal corruption scandal]] became public when the Governor was arrested.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/173227|title='A Senate Seat on Ebay': Inside the case against Illinois Gov. Blagojevich|access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 9, 2008|work=[[Newsweek]]|author=Johnson Dirk}}</ref> On December 10, Jackson was contacted by federal prosecutors for questioning with regard to the scandal involving Governor Blagojevich's search for a replacement. The press speculated that Jackson was "Senate Candidate #5", for whom it is alleged by Blagojevich that emissaries offered up to a million dollars in exchange for the appointment. Jackson, however, denies any wrongdoing, and says that the U.S. Attorney's office assured him that he is not a target of the investigation.<ref name=SSRJJJiSC5>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/story?id=6431739&page=1|title=Sources Say Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is 'Senate Candidate #5'|access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 10, 2008|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|author=Ross, Brian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/12/jackson-ive-done-nothing-wrong-014720|title=Jackson: "I've done nothing wrong"|access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 10, 2008|work=[[Politico]]}}</ref> In a press conference, his lawyer confirmed his belief that Jackson is candidate No. 5, but asserted that he has done nothing wrong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/jacksons_lawyer_i_assume_hes_c.php |title=Jackson's Lawyer: I "Assume" He's Candidate 5 |access-date=2008-12-10 |date=December 10, 2008 |publisher=TPM Media LLC |work=TPM Muckraker |author=Roth, Zachary |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215075902/http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/jacksons_lawyer_i_assume_hes_c.php |archive-date=December 15, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/10/us/AP-Illinois-Governor-Jackson.html|title=Attorney: US Rep. Jesse Jackson Is 'Candidate 5' |access-date=2008-12-10|date=December 10, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Immediately thereafter, in his own news conference, Jackson confirmed that he is a subject and not a target of the investigation and emphatically stated his opposition to "pay to play" politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=news-000002995817 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215055648/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=news-000002995817 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2008 |title=CQ Transcript: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Holds Press Conference on Blagojevich Affair |access-date=2008-12-10 |date=December 10, 2008 |publisher=[[Congressional Quarterly]] |work=CQPolitics |df=mdy }}</ref> On December 16, a Jackson spokesperson confirmed special federal investigators have been questioning him since the summer.<ref name=JJMHBWWF>{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/6557529/|title=Jackson Jr. May Have Been Working With Feds|access-date=2008-12-17|date=December 15, 2008|publisher=ABC Inc., [[WLS-TV]]/DT Chicago, Illinois|author=Thomas, Charles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217050645/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=6557529|archive-date=December 17, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Also [[WLS-TV]] reported December 15 that Jackson has notified investigators that Blagojevich refused to appoint Sandi Jackson, his wife, as state lottery director because Jackson refused to donate $25,000 to the governor's campaign fund.<ref name=JJMHBWWF/> Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds clarified that although Jackson had been a federal informant for over a decade,<ref name=JJaitBi>{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/16/breaking-jackson-jr-an-informant-to-us-attorney-investigation/|title=Jackson Jr. an informant to Blago investigations|access-date=2008-12-18|date=December 16, 2008|publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP.|work=[[CNN]].com|archive-date=December 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217140524/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/16/breaking-jackson-jr-an-informant-to-us-attorney-investigation/|url-status=dead}}</ref> never did his cooperation concern the current investigation into the Senate seat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1342777,CST-NWS-watchdog22.article |title=What Really Happened with Jackson Jr., Feds |access-date=2009-02-13 |date=December 22, 2008 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |author1=Fusco, Chris |author2=Tim Novak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207014738/http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1342777%2CCST-NWS-watchdog22.article |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>

Although Blagojevich's corruption was reported to have been under federal investigation, journalist [[Howard Fineman]] of the [[Huffington Post]] allegedly has sources that claim Jackson attributes the Obama replacement case to Obama's neutral stance. According to Fineman's reported source, Jackson felt if Obama had endorsed him, Blagojevich would have selected Jackson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/173437|title=What Jesse Jr. Wants: Surfing Blagojevich's wake on Chicago's South Side.|access-date=2008-12-12|date=December 10, 2008|work=[[Newsweek]]|author=Fineman, Howard}}</ref> When the scandal first broke, the reaction was that Jackson's reputation was sullied to the point that his viability as a senatorial candidate was diminished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29959&s=rcmp#continueA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207061853/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29959&s=rcmp#continueA|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2010|title=ENPR: Illinois, Colorado, and New York Senate Vacancies Kick Off 2010 Race|access-date=2009-02-13|date=December 17, 2008|author=Carney, Timothy P. Timothy P.|work=Human Events}}</ref> However, reports that Jackson has been a longtime federal information provider has led political allies to continue to speak of his viability as a candidate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/12/17/pinkerton_senate/|title=A 'Black' Senate Seat?|access-date=2009-02-13|date=December 17, 2008|author=Pinkerton, James P.|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]}}</ref> After much controversy, [[Roland Burris]] was successfully nominated by Blagojevich.<ref name=SDetsBT>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28625592|title=Senate Dems expect to seat Burris Thursday: Burris: 'I really never doubted that I would be seated'|access-date=2009-01-14|date=January 13, 2009|work=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref name=RBtBSIaSoT>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/01/13/roland-burris-to-be-sworn-in-as-senator-on-thursday/|title=Roland Burris to Be Sworn in as Senator on Thursday|access-date=2009-01-14|date=January 13, 2009|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|author=Davis, Susan}}</ref>

In 2009, Jackson was named one of the 15&nbsp;most corrupt members of Congress by the liberal [[Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington]] for his role in the scandal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Burris-Jackson-Are-Among-Most-Corrupt-59469232.html|title=Burris, Jackson Are Among "Most Corrupt" |access-date=2009-09-28|work=The Black Collegian Magazine|author=Bartosik, Matt|date=September 16, 2009 }}</ref> On September 21, 2010, Jackson addressed a claim by businessman [[Raghuveer Nayak]] to the [[FBI]] that Jackson purchased plane tickets for a woman Nayak identified as a "social acquaintance" of Jackson, "The reference to a social acquaintance is a private and personal matter between me and my wife that was handled some time ago," Jackson said. "I ask that you respect our privacy."<ref>{{cite news|work=[[BET]]|title=Jackson Jr. denies report about Blagojevich funds|author=Babwin, Don|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=September 21, 2010|url=https://www.bet.com/article/cmzezs/jackson-jr-denies-report-about-blagojevich-funds}}</ref>

In September 2010, fundraiser Nayak was mentioned in the press as having been an alleged go between for Jackson and Blagojevich with the message that Jackson would help Blagojevich raise $6 million in exchange for the Senate appointment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/us/politics/22brfs-CONGRESSMAND_BRF.html|title=Illinois: Congressman Denies Dealing for Senate Seat|access-date=2011-10-19|date=September 21, 2010|author=Fitzsimmons, Emma Graves|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The allegations became the subject of a Congressional ethics investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-jackson-facing-mounting-calls-to-explain-illness-extended-absence/|title=Rep. Jackson facing mounting calls to explain illness, extended absence|access-date=2012-07-11|date=July 11, 2012|author=Weber, Joseph|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]}}</ref>

==Author==
In December 1999, he co-authored ''It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams''.<ref>{{cite book|title=It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams|isbn=978-0-8129-3296-6|publisher=Random House, Incorporated|author1=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr|author2=Jesse L. Jackson Sr.|year=1999|url=https://archive.org/details/itsaboutmoneyt00jack}}</ref> The book is a self-help book with directions for achieving personal financial independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=081293296X#EXC |title=It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams |access-date=2008-04-19 |publisher=Random House, Incorporated }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The book is targeted toward people of limited means.<ref name=TDCR>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E6DB113EF931A25751C1A96F958260 |title= Trickle-Down Civil Rights|access-date=2008-04-19|date=December 12, 1999|work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Packer, George}}</ref> In the fall of 2001, he co-authored ''Legal Lynching: The Death Penalty and America's Future'', also known as ''Legal Lynching II''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Legal Lynching II|isbn=978-1-56584-685-2|publisher=New Press|author=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr., Jesse L. Jackson Sr., and Bruce Shapiro|year=2001|url=https://archive.org/details/legallynchingdea00jack}}</ref> With coauthors, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jackson Jr., and Bruce Shapiro, the anti-death penalty voice was heard very publicly.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,171602,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030134942/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,171602,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2010|title=Galley Girl: Moon Unit Zappa Edition|access-date=2008-04-18|date=August 16, 2001|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|author=Sachs, Andrea}}</ref> The book was published, at a time when public opposition to the death penalty was at a historically high level, by two of America's most prominent [[civil rights]] leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewpress.com/index.php?option=com_title&task=view_title&metaproductid=1426|title=Legal Lynching|access-date=2008-04-18|publisher=The New Press}}</ref> It was a follow-up to ''Legal Lynching: Racism, Injustice and the Death Penalty'',<ref>{{cite book|title=Legal Lynching: Racism, Injustice and the Death Penalty|isbn=1-56924-761-7|publisher=Marlowe & Co.|author=Jackson, Jesse L. Sr.|year=1996|url=https://archive.org/details/legallynchingrac00jack}}</ref> which was released in 1996 by Jackson Sr. In 2001, Jackson Jr. authored ''[[A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights]]'', with his [[press secretary]], Frank Watkins.<ref>{{cite book|title=A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights|isbn=1-56649-186-X|year=2001|publisher=Welcome Rain Publisher|author1=Jackson, Jesse L. Jr.|author2=Frank Watkins|url=https://archive.org/details/moreperfectunion00jack}}</ref> The book outlines his moral and political philosophies, and it provides an autobiographical sketch.<ref name=AMPUH>{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J3EGQM|title=A More Perfect Union (Hardcover) |date=October 15, 2001 |publisher=Welcome Rain |access-date=2008-04-21 }}</ref> It provides analysis on the link between race and economics from colonial America to the present with a vision for the future.<ref name=AMPUH/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/rthg/chap1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816055050/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/rthg/chap1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2007|title=Rally on the High Ground|access-date=2008-04-21|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|date=May 17, 2001|author=Stanton, Robert G.}}</ref> In addition to the analysis, it provides eight proposed [[constitutional amendment]]s that Jackson sees as essential to pursuit of broader social and economic opportunity.<ref name=8steNbbRJobsfitloeA>{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F07FAAF0BEBA83F&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= 8 steps to equality – New book by Rep. Jackson offers bold strategy for improving the lives of everyday Americans|access-date=2008-05-23|date=December 11, 2001|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|author=Dyson, Michael Eric}}</ref> Since the publication of this book, Jackson has refined these and formally proposed these constitutional amendments.<ref name=RJkpbwcfC>{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FCB396BC59CF515&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= Rep. Jackson keeps pen busy with changes for Constitution|access-date=2008-09-17|date=August 3, 2003|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Thomas, John D.}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Sandi Jackson.jpg|thumb|upright|Jesse Jackson Jr.'s ex-wife, [[Sandi Jackson]]]]
During the 1988 presidential campaign, Jackson met his future wife, Sandi Stevens, who was [[press secretary]] for [[United States Congressman]] [[Mickey Leland]].<ref>Jackson and Watkins, p. 36.</ref> After her first year at [[Georgetown University Law Center]], the couple decided public higher education was more affordable and jointly enrolled at the [[University of Illinois College of Law]]. While still law students, they married on June 1, 1991.<ref name=JW37>Jackson and Watkins, p. 37.</ref> Jackson and Sandi have two children, Jesse III ("Tre") and Jessica and keep two homes. They own one in the [[South Shore, Chicago|South Shore]] [[Community areas of Chicago|community area]],<ref name=WDJW/> which is within both the 2nd district that Congressman Jackson represented in the United States House of Representatives and within the seventh ward that his wife represented on the [[Chicago City Council]] as Alderman. The South Shore home serves as an election base for himself and candidates he has supported, for which he claims a 13–0 record in public elections.<ref name=WDJW/> The South Shore home was the featured renovation on an [[HGTV]] ''[[Hidden Potential]]'' episode, first aired on March 24, 2009. The Jacksons also own a home in [[Dupont Circle]] in Washington, D.C., which served as the family home and base for his service in Congress.<ref name=WDJW/>

Jackson's earliest public controversy came when he was linked to alleged [[Nigerian]] drug trafficker Pius Ailemen. Ailemen was supposed to be Jackson's [[best man]] at his 1991 wedding, but canceled at the last minute due to supposed passport-related issues. Jackson and Aileman were investigated by the FBI; the investigation and court proceedings extended for several years. A [[wiretap]] recorded many conversations between the two, and financial records indicate that Ailemen had purchased an [[Alfa Romeo]] using a $13,000 charge on Jackson's credit card.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.niu.edu/1996/ii960312.html|title=Jesse Junior: Making a name for himself|access-date=2008-05-29|date=March 1996|author=Simpson, Burney|publisher=Illinois State Library|work=Illinois Periodicals Online}}</ref> Ailemen was sentenced to 24 years and four months in jail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.com/regionals/ca/stories/020613b.shtml |title=9th Circuit May Let Ailemen Sentence Stand |author=Hoppin, Jason |access-date=2008-05-29 |date=June 13, 2002 |publisher=ALM Properties, Inc. |work=Cal Law |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017181507/http://www.law.com/regionals/ca/stories/020613b.shtml |archive-date=October 17, 2008 }}</ref> In 2003, Ailemen was denied petition for a [[writ of certiorari]]. Ailemen's current motion questions Jackson's activities as a government informant at the time of his testimony in Ailemen's trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://supreme.lp.findlaw.com/supreme_court/orders/2002/022403pzor.html|title=Supreme Court Orders|access-date=2008-05-29|date=February 24, 2003|work=FindLaw}}</ref>

Jackson acknowledges that he has had the benefits of privilege and opportunity and says that his hobbies include fencing, hunting and fishing, especially [[salmon]] fishing.<ref name=VHJJJHtC>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1DF1739F937A25751C1A963958260|title= Victory His, Jesse Jackson Jr. Heads to Congress|access-date=2008-04-18|date=December 14, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Johnson, Dirk}}</ref><ref name=BotS>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/50625|title=Battle of the Scions?: Jesse Jackson Jr. Eyes a Run at Chicago's Mayor |access-date=2008-04-18|date=July 25, 2005|work=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref> He often enjoys these hobbies in bipartisan friendships that include [[Dick Armey]] and regarded the late Republican Rep. [[Henry Hyde]] as one of his closest friends.<ref name=BotS/> In fact, Armey points to Jackson as an example of his ability to work with politicians at all ends of the [[political spectrum]].<ref>{{cite news |title= The Way We Live Now: 9-1-02: Questions For Dick Armey; Retiring, Not Shy |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E05E7DB1E3CF932A3575AC0A9649C8B63|access-date=2008-04-20|date=September 1, 2002|work=[[The New York Times]]|last= Tapper |first= Jake}}</ref> Jackson also has a very good relationship with Republican United States President [[George W. Bush]] despite their sharp ideological differences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2007/01/24/and-then-the-president-hugged-me-and-kissed-me-and-for-one-magical-moment-i-felt-just-like-joe-lieberman.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104090257/http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2007/01/24/and-then-the-president-hugged-me-and-kissed-me-and-for-one-magical-moment-i-felt-just-like-joe-lieberman.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |title=And Then The President Hugged Me. And Kissed Me. And For One Magical Moment, I Felt Just Like Joe Lieberman |access-date=2008-04-18 |date=January 24, 2007 |work=[[Newsweek]] |author=Bailey, Holly }}</ref> The relationship traces back to when Jackson Sr. and United States [[President-elect of the United States|President-Elect]] [[George H. W. Bush]] met to discuss a range of issues while Jackson Jr. and his siblings [[Santita Jackson|Santita]] and Jonathan had an hour-and-a-half luncheon with future President George W.<ref>{{cite news|title= Washington Talk; Bush and Jackson Seek Common Ground| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2DA113BF932A35751C1A96E948260|access-date=2008-04-25|date=December 1, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]] |last= Weinraub| first= Bernard}}</ref> He also developed a relationship with [[Bill Clinton|Bill]] and [[Hillary Clinton]] that enabled him to watch [[Super Bowl XXXIII]] at [[Camp David]] with them.<ref name=TJJJ>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/community/transcripts/1999/020199jackson.html |title=Transcripts: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. |access-date=2008-04-30 |date=February 1, 1999 |publisher=[[Time, Inc.]]/[[Yahoo!]] Chat |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401080217/http://www.time.com/time/community/transcripts/1999/020199jackson.html |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>

In March 2005, Jackson revealed that he had lost {{convert|50|lb|kg st|1}} due to [[bariatric surgery]]. In ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'', [[Joe Madison]] revealed that when he and Jackson were on a panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation conference he asked Jackson why he looked so different. He stated that Jackson described having undergone a [[duodenal switch]] medical procedure that his sister, [[Santita Jackson|Santita]], had used to lose {{convert|200|lb|kg st|1}} over several years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5391/is_200801/ai_n21301360|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925025649/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5391/is_200801/ai_n21301360/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-09-25|title=What rich black folks do, poor black folks copy|access-date=2008-04-27|publisher=CNET Networks, Inc.|work=[[New African]]|date=January 2008|author=Orakwue, Stella}}</ref>

Jackson is a member of the [[Omega Psi Phi]] fraternity. In 2006, when Jackson became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Nu Pi chapter, the [[Illinois House of Representatives]] issued a congratulatory resolution to his father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?GAID=8&SessionID=50&GA=94&DocTypeID=HR&DocNum=1492&LegID=26366&SpecSess=&Session=|title=Full Text of HR1492 |access-date=2008-04-27 |publisher=[[Illinois General Assembly]] / Legislative Information System}}</ref> Jesse Sr. is also a member of the Omega fraternity.<ref name=TEaEC/> Jackson Jr. delivered the [[keynote address]] to the fraternity at the November 18, 2006 Founder's Day gathering.<ref name=TEaEC>{{cite web|url=http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=7651 |title=The Enduring and Everlasting Call to Omega |access-date=2008-04-28 |date=November 18, 2006 |publisher=Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress |author=Jackson, Jesse Jr. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909202417/http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=7651 |archive-date=September 9, 2008 }}</ref> He is also affiliated with the Theta Epsilon chapter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetaepsilonchapter.com/u4/dir_byname_asc?page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215001/http://www.thetaepsilonchapter.com/u4/dir_byname_asc?page=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-03|title=Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Theta Epsilon Chapter|access-date=2008-04-27|publisher=Kappa Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. |year=2007}}</ref>

Jackson is a martial arts enthusiast who practices [[kung fu]], [[tae kwon do]], and [[karate]].<ref name=JJLTwa>{{cite web|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080918162921/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10094526 |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10094526 |title=Jesse Jackson: Lee Terry was aggressor |access-date=2008-04-22 |work=Omaha World-Herald |last=Morton |first=Joseph |date=August 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On August 1, 2007, Jackson got into a verbal disagreement with Rep. [[Lee Terry]], a Republican from Nebraska on the House floor. Jackson stated in floor debate that "Republicans can't be trusted" and Terry responded with "shut up" before approaching Jackson. Jackson then spoke profanities and challenged Terry to step outside, presumably for a physical fight. [[Steve Rothman]] helped avoid escalation to actual physical confrontation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10093488 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20070818015728/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10093488 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2007 |title=Lee Terry, Jackson go toe-to-toe on House floor |access-date=2008-04-22 |work=Omaha World-Herald |last=Morton |first=Joseph |date=August 2, 2007 }}</ref> Martial artists throughout the [[Omaha, Nebraska]] area (Terry's district) called to inquire about Jackson's mindset and intentions.<ref name=JJLTwa/> Jackson says Terry was the instigator.<ref name=JJLTwa/> Terry says Jackson was at fault, but the two shook hands the next day and agreed to move forward in the interest of their constituents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/rep_jackson_jr_and_lee_terry_s.html |title=Rep. Jackson Jr. and Lee Terry, Still Spatting |access-date=2008-04-22 |date=August 3, 2007 |work=The Sleuth |author=Akers, Mary Ann |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905121644/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/rep_jackson_jr_and_lee_terry_s.html |archive-date=September 5, 2008 }}</ref> However, a week later an unidentified man who claimed to be a Jackson relative walked into Terry's Omaha office saying he was Jackson's hitman who had come to beat up Terry, which led to [[FBI]] involvement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/third_party_enters_spat_betwee.html |title=Third Party Enters Spat Between Reps. Jackson Jr. and Lee Terry |access-date=2008-04-22 |date=August 9, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |last=Akers |first=Mary Ann |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013100244/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/08/third_party_enters_spat_betwee.html |archive-date=October 13, 2008 }}</ref>

He used a battery-powered, [[GPS]]-equipped [[Segway PT|Segway]] in Washington. Jackson, who missed two votes in his first thirteen years in Congress, quipped that the Segway helped him to maintain his good voting record.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/health/nutrition/12fitness.html|title=Counting Steps, Not Votes, on Capitol Hill| access-date=2008-08-27|date=June 12, 2008| work=[[The New York Times]] |last= Parker |first= Ashley}}</ref>

On July 12, 2012, Jackson's office acknowledged that he had been absent from Congress since June 10, stating that he was receiving "intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a [[mood disorder]]."<ref>Monica Davey, [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/us/for-a-soaring-political-career-uncertain-turns.html For a Soaring Political Career, Uncertain Turns], ''The New York Times'', July 11, 2012.</ref> After weeks of the public's not knowing where the Congressman was, his office announced on July 27, 2012, that he was at the [[Mayo Clinic]] in [[Rochester, Minnesota]], undergoing an extensive inpatient evaluation for depression and for [[gastrointestinal issues]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Jr. in Mayo Clinic for depression|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=July 28, 2012 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-27/Jesse-Jackson-Jr-depression/56548528/1|access-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref> On August 13, 2012, the Mayo Clinic released a statement that Jackson was being treated for [[bipolar II disorder]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rep. Jackson Jr. treated for bipolar disorder| newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date= August 13, 2012| url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/08/jesse-jackson-jr-bipolar-disorder-/1|access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref>

On July 14, 2016, Jackson filed for divorce from his wife in Cook County, Illinois.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-jesse-jackson-divorce-trial-date-met-0725-20170725-story.html |title=Ex-Rep. Jesse Jackson divorce trial date set after 'mediation was not successful' |date=July 25, 2017 |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref> They reached a settlement in April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-jackson-divorce-settlement-20180413-story.html |title=Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson reach settlement in contentious divorce case |date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ [[List of United States Representatives from Illinois|Illinois Congressman]] results: 1995–2012
!|Year
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!|Other
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
| [[1995 Illinois's 2nd congressional district special election|1995]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E0D81639F930A25751C1A963958260|title= Jesse Jackson Jr. Elected|access-date=2008-05-05|date=December 13, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|43,333||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|74.2%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Thomas Somer||{{Party shading/Republican}}|15,076||{{Party shading/Republican}}|25.8%||||
|-
| [[1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|1996]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1996/96Stat.htm|title=Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5, 1996|publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|172,648||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|94.1%||||||||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|Frank Stratman ([[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]])||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|10,880||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|5.9%
|-,
| [[1998 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|1998]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1998/98Stat.htm|title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998|publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|148,985||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|89.4%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Robert Gordon III||{{Party shading/Republican}}|16,075||{{Party shading/Republican}}|9.6%||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|Matthew Beauchamp (L)||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|1,608||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|1.0%
|-
| [[2000 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2000]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000election.pdf|title=Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 2000|publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|175,995||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|89.8%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Robert Gordon III||{{Party shading/Republican}}|19,906||{{Party shading/Republican}}|10.2%||||||
|-
| [[2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2002]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2002election.pdf|title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002|publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|151,443||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|82.3%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Doug Nelson||{{Party shading/Republican}}|32,567||{{Party shading/Republican}}|17.7%||||||
|-
| [[2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2004]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf|title=Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 2004|publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|207,535||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|88.5%||||||||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|Stephanie Sailor (L)||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|26,990||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|11.5%
|-
| [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2006]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006election.pdf|title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006|publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|146,347||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|84.8%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Robert Belin||{{Party shading/Republican}}|20,395||{{Party shading/Republican}}|11.8%||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|Anthony Williams (L)||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|5,748||{{Party shading/Libertarian}}|3.3%
|-
| [[2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2008]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407EFD81139F935A35752C1A96E9C8B63|title=The Races for the House |access-date=2008-11-21|date=November 6, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|242,250||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|89.2%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Anthony W. Williams||{{Party shading/Republican}}|29,050||{{Party shading/Republican}}|10.8%||||||
|-
| [[2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2010]]<ref>{{cite web|title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 2, 2010|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2010election.pdf}}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|150,666||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|80.5%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Isaac C. Hayes||{{Party shading/Republican}}|25,883||{{Party shading/Republican}}|13.8%||{{Party shading/Green}}|Anthony W. Williams ([[Green Party of the United States|Green]])||{{Party shading/Green}}|10,564||{{Party shading/Green}}|5.6%
|-
| [[2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois|2012]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elections.chicagotribune.com/results/us-house/ |title=2012 General Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=December 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112134913/http://elections.chicagotribune.com/results/us-house/ |archive-date=November 12, 2012 }}</ref>||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jesse Jackson Jr.||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|188,303||{{Party shading/Democratic}}|63.3%||{{Party shading/Republican}}|Brian Woodworth||{{Party shading/Republican}}|69,115||{{Party shading/Republican}}|23.2%||{{Party shading/Independent}}|Marcus Lewis (Independent)||{{Party shading/Independent}}|40,006||{{Party shading/Independent}}|13.4%
|}

==Published works==
* Jackson, Jesse L. Jr., with Frank E. Watkins, ''A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights'', Welcome Rain Publishers: New York, 2001, {{ISBN|1-56649-186-X}}.

==See also==
*[[List of African-American United States representatives]]
*[[List of American federal politicians convicted of crimes]]
*[[List of federal political scandals in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100815082354/http://jackson.house.gov/ U.S. Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr.] ''official U.S. House website''
*[http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/ Jesse Jackson Jr. Congressman] ''official campaign website''
* {{CongLinks | congbio=j000283 | votesmart=72 | fec=H6IL02124 | congress= }}
*{{C-SPAN|39073}}
*[http://www.answers.com/topic/jesse-jackson-jr-1 Biography] at Answers.com

;Articles
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051023162759/http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/2002/12/30_Jackson.html Interview: Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr.], ''Buzzflash'', December 30, 2002
*Jackson Jr., Jesse [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060206/jackson The Right to Vote], ''[[The Nation]]'', January 19, 2006

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mel Reynolds]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Illinois|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Illinois's 2nd congressional district]]|years=1995–2012}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Robin Kelly]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dan Lipinski]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=104th–112th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Illinois|Illinois]]}}
{{USCongRep/IL/104}}
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{{USCongRep/IL/106}}
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{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Jesse Jr.}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Baptists]]
[[Category:20th-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Baptists]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:African-American United States representatives]]
[[Category:African-American people in Illinois politics]]
[[Category:African-American writers]]
[[Category:American male taekwondo practitioners]]
[[Category:American people convicted of campaign finance violations]]
[[Category:American people convicted of fraud]]
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[[Category:Baptists from Illinois]]
[[Category:Baptists from South Carolina]]
[[Category:Chicago Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois]]
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[[Category:Family of Jesse Jackson|Jesse Jr.]]
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[[Category:People with bipolar disorder]]
[[Category:Politicians convicted of mail and wire fraud]]
[[Category:Politicians from Chicago]]
[[Category:Politicians from Greenville, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government]]
[[Category:St. Albans School (Washington, D.C.) alumni]]
[[Category:South Carolina Democrats]]
[[Category:University of Illinois College of Law alumni]]