He knew he was in trouble. That is why he got sick and went to a mental hospital. To hide from everyone. He does not have the backbone to do whats right at this time. He will do what is best for him . He will not be called congressman much longer . His name will be changed to Jailhouse Jackson.

We need Jesse Jackson to run and WIN! With all the illegal tricks the republicans throw out, a little investigation makes zero difference!! I like Jesse!!!

We need representation - that's the point here! Scratch his name from the ballot. Who will step in? NOT the wife! We are sick of embarasasing shameful politics in Illinois!

Well Sue, than you deserve what you get!! Another congressman for this district who is a crook. You talk about illegal tricks, well, than JR. has mastered that!! Kick the bum out.

J3 has done some outstanding things for the Southland, and he's also backed some stupid things. For the most part, I like him. However, he hasn't been at work for some time, he hasn't been doing his job and we have yet to hear from him. That's lunacy.

And then his family has the unmitigated gall to say he might not show up before the election, don't count on it? What unbridled arrogance! There's something going on with him, and his plan is to wait until he's inevitably re-elected, and THEN sort it out? No, I'm sorry - I elected him to office, which is an employment contract. This is not HIS job, it is A job, and I don't think he has acted in a way which deserves to have the job back.

Jesse! Can you hear me? Will your family allow you contact with the outside world? Will they let you read The Patch? Honey, sit this one out. If your health is truly compromised, stay home and fell better.

I, for one, will be finding out a lot more about the other candidates.

If hes a Crook get rid of him, like Father like SON!!!

WA Mama, you have my thoughts exactly. He did some good things early on but this is just too much. What have you done for us lately? Hmmmm?

There are sooooooo many crooks in the political arena! All of the above responses have a good point! Congressman Jackson has done some good things and some out of the box! My media partner and I interviewed Republican Brian Woodworth for our Comcast Cable program, I didn't find him in touch with politics. A smart professor. The other candidate a no show! We must All do our research on candidates and hold ourselves accountable for the right choice. Congressman Jackson is on the ballot and seriously it's a late date for him to resign. So, I feel he should be voted back in and then resign and a special election should be held. Please don't put his wife in his seat!! In fact...I'm up for the running!!

It is sad that this is even a question. He is under investigation and is having mental issues....of course he should resign. Will he though, is another question. The blind voters of this state will most likely reelect him even with these issues. If he can keep getting paid, why would he resign? When are people going to realize that politics of this state are a nationwide punchline?

Our district needs and deserves representation. If Jackson is not heathy enough to do the work, he should resign and recuperate. Meanwhile, we should have the option to vote for someone who will actually represent us in DC. This election is starting to look like John Stroger who was in the hospital recovering from a heart attack when he was reelected the last time. After winning, his son was chosen to take his place and we all know that that turned out!

Gus Savage, Mel Reynolds, The son of the preacher man, same ----- different dress

Give me a break! I don't know why we are even discussing this. Jackson has no intention of resigning. The Chicago democrat thugs will not allow him to resign until after the election when they can replace him with someone else that will do their bidding. We have the filthiest politics in the nation and everyone knows it. This is just another example.

JJJ hasn't made a official Congressional appearance since June but apparently is frequenting DC Bars with different women. I guess he doesn't need to Campaign so anyone who votes for him should have their Voting priviledges taken away period! http://gawker.com/5951450/rep-jesse-jackson-jr-is-hanging-out-at-bars-while-under-doctors-care?tag=scions

A reminder that his sister was Obama's Maid of Honor. I'm sure he was tipped off.

Just vote Brian Woodworth!

Our district is NOT represented and we have problems. Clearly Jackson can't do the job; we voters should not re-elect him, plain and simple. Why are the voters of this district so uninterested in correcting the situation? In 30 years, every representative from this district has gone to jail: Gus Savage, Mel Reynolds. Is Jackson next? Come on voters! Stop this indifference to corruption!

Hey Folks No taxation without representation!
I'd say he should resign. I'd just hope it would not exclude him from criminal prosecution and also means he gives up his benefits from a public service government job. No pension and no health insurance for crooks! Time to step aside so you can prove your innocence (if you can). Chances are he will go on some disability claim and we will still be paying his bills!

He needs to resign!!!!

Jackson needs to go. The feds don't announce they are about to indict unless they have a solid case. He is dirty, he knows it and he feels the feds breathing down his neck. Clearly the reason for all his "mental strain". His strategy is to hide out until it blows over.
Sorry triple J, this one is not going away. People who vote for him or any of the other Illinois democratic incumbents get what they deserve.
I am tired of Illinois politics as usual. It is time to clean house.

The only reason he is still on the ballot is because his campaign thinks he will win. Then he will resign, and they will appoint someone of their chosing, like his wife!! Well if you want the choice, then you need to vote for anyone other than JR. This whole district is dirty, and I hate to say it, but we here in Homewood are represented by the GHETTO VOTE!!

Babyboomer, sorry you feel your vote has been hijacked by people you think are beneath you.

And yes, Jackson should not even be a viable candidate at this point. Unfortunately, the Other Two Candidates are not too ripe, either. Woodworth doesn't even LIVE in the district, and most of his campaign events have been in Will county. Hello? We're up here! Check your map, dope!

Marcus Lewis, on the other hand (http://marcuslewisforcongress2012.org/) seems unelectable, which is too bad, because even though he comes off as a bit of a looney, he wants to push for WPA-style jobs in the state, and I'm on board with that. I wouldn't mind a fresh, enthusiastic voice representing me at all, even if he seems a bit unhinged.

Having said all that, I think we're screwed, and will have to figure out what to do with Invisible Jesse come November.

we all know hes done little or nothing for our district and the dubious nature of his family doesn't help but
he will win big because black people support each other blindly.
the only way to beat him is for white people to do the same within their race.
its called reality folks.

Hernendo's comment is about as true as you can get. Good post!!!!

WA Mama, thank you for your comments, because it brings up an issue that most people have little knowledge of. Last year, Illinois officials redrew the district map, extending the 2nd Congressional District from it's old boundaries largely in Cook County to include all of Kankakee County. I live in Bourbonnais which is in the middle of Kankakee County--now part of the 2nd District.
You are not alone in not knowing this: I've talked with hundreds of voters who are unaware of the new boundaries--so again, thank you for opening that door.
Second, I have been attending events throughout the district--I've been to South Shore, I've talked with people in the 7th ward, I've walked through the 10th ward, attended and walked in the Mexican Independence Day parade, the Calumet City parade, and events through the south suburban vilages. I've attended meetings of the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce and talked with economic leaders in southern Cook County.
The problem is that I have not been considered newsworthy, because the press refuses to consider that JJJ could lose, and therefore getting any press to cover events has been impossible. Additionally, while business owners in Will and Kankakee County are more than willing to host meet/greets at their establishments, there is a fear, even among Republican business owners, that they will have retribution from Democrat leaders if they show support for anyone other than JJJ.
And this is why the district needs change.

Does this behavior by JR remind you of someone else in the recent past? Does Todd Stroger bring back any memories?
Jr needs to honest with us, and he hasn't. He also needs to take care of himself and let the Dems quit pushing everyone around. I am voting for Woodworth!!

i would have if he would not turn into a TPARTY DO NOTHING if he does not Grover the treasonous lobbyist will run a slimy TPARTY guy as bad as JR in the next primary he must run in we are doomed unless u all do as I did and voted for Lewis at least he will not caucus with the 14 CONSPIRATORS who were led by lyin Ryan and Eric ISRAEL first Cantor to insure Obama was a one term POTUS this was when we were hemorrhaging 750,000 JOBS A MONTH.

Butch got smart...Everyone else needs to as well. We must work together or the worst is yet to come.

This is how JJJ acts as a sick congressman.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Report-Jesse-Jackson-Jr-Seen-In-DC-Bars-With-Two-Different-Women-174214241.html

I was right. I told the truth.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/11/09/former-u-s-prosecutor-negotiating-plea-deal-for-jackson-jr/