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Jesse Jackson Jr.
PoliticianUnited States
Jesse Jackson Jr. is an American politician who represented Illinois's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2012. During his congressional career, he served on the House Appropriations Committee and worked on issues including economic development, voting rights and health care. [2]
Career and work
Jackson was first elected to the House in a 1995 special election and represented Illinois's 2nd Congressional District until 2012. He served for more than a decade on the House Appropriations Committee and its subcommittees. [2]
His legislative work included economic development, voting rights and efforts to direct federal investment toward communities in his district. [2]
What has been publicly discussed
- Jackson's office initially announced in 2012 that he was being treated for a mood disorder while on medical leave. In August, Mayo Clinic disclosed at Jackson's request that, following an extensive evaluation, he was being treated for bipolar II disorder. [1]
- Jackson took medical leave from Congress in June 2012 as his health deteriorated and subsequently received inpatient treatment for severe depression. He remained unable to resume his congressional duties for months. [3][1]
- By November, Jackson wrote that his health had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer serve his constituents full-time, and he resigned from Congress. [4]
- By 2015, Jackson said that he was continuing therapy and medication for bipolar disorder and depression and felt that he was managing the condition well. He also acknowledged continuing depressive symptoms and said he intended to maintain the treatment routine he had developed. [6]
“I have been taking my medication, I am managing it well.”
— Jesse Jackson Jr. [6]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Mayo Clinic News Network“Update: Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.” Official statement, released at Jackson's request, confirming bipolar II disorder and treatment at Mayo Clinic.
Jesse L. Jackson Jr. — U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives Official congressional biography documenting Jackson's House service, committee assignments and legislative work.
Associated Press / CBS News“Patrick Kennedy: Rep. Jackson in 'deep' depression” Contemporary reporting on the severity of Jackson's depression and inpatient treatment.
View all 6 sources
CBS News“Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. resigns” Reports Jackson's resignation and his statement that declining health had substantially impaired his ability to serve.
CBS Minnesota“Mayo Clinic: U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. under treatment for bipolar disorder” Covers his treatment at Sierra Tucson and Mayo Clinic.
CBS Chicago“Jesse Jackson Jr. Leaves Halfway House To Begin Home Confinement” Interview in which Jackson discusses continuing depression, medication, therapy and long-term management.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Jesse Jackson Jr. and their experiences.
- “Jesse Jackson Jr. treated for bipolar II disorder: What is it?”Los Angeles Times
Uses Jackson's diagnosis as a starting point for an expert explanation of bipolar II disorder.
- “Jesse Jackson Jr.'s last prison lap, at home in D.C. writing memoir”Chicago Sun-Times
Covers Jackson's return home and reflections on health and his future.