Report: Rep. Jackson Jr. cancels call to staffers

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), who has been absent from Capitol Hill since June, reportedly canceled plans Wednesday to address his staff members.

Jackson spokesman Frank Watkins said the Illinois lawmaker had planned to talk to staff from his Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices during a morning conference call, according to a report from local station NBC 5 in Chicago.

Reports said staffers were given a phone number to dial in to, but the congressman was concerned that the press had obtained the number as well and dropped plans to call in.

Watkins told NBC Chicago he had “no idea if anything is planned today.”

A separate report from station Fox 32 in Chicago said Jackson had sent an email to some staffers “about his future plans in politics.”

Some Democrats, including Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, have pressed Jackson, who has been absent from Capitol Hill to seek treatment for bipolar disorder, to speak to his constituents and address questions about whether he will be able to continue serving in Congress. 

Jackson is also reportedly in plea negotiations with federal investigators who are probing allegations that he illegally misused campaign funds to redecorate one of his homes.

Reports said that the terms could include Jackson stepping down from office, citing health reasons, and repaying the campaign money. 

Jackson’s office has refused to comment on the reported plea talks.

Jackson recorded a robo-call ahead of the 2012 election, urging his constituents to stand by him as he received treatment for his medical condition, but did little else to campaign. He easily won reelection, however, in his heavily Democratic district. 

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