Jesse Jackson

Jesse Louis Jackson, Jr. is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Illinois since a 1995 special election. He is the son of Jesse L. Jackson.

Vacant Illinois Senate Seat Investigation
Jackson is under investigation by the Office on Congressional Ethics and the Department of Justice. The OCE is investigating Jackson's bid to fill the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. The OCE has asked for documents showing correspondence between former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Jackson.

The DOJ's investigation also surrounds Jackson's bid for the vacant Illinois senate seat. The DOJ has subpoenaed individuals who have knowledge of possible fundraising efforts by Rep. Jackson’s supporters to encourage Gov. Blagojevich to appoint Jackson to the Senate.

In December 2008, Jackson stated that he denounces pay-to-play politics and that he had no involvement in any wrongdoing, including authorizing or initiating any promise to Gov. Blagojevich. In early 2009, Rep. Jackson paid $15,000 in legal fees in addition to the $100,000 he paid in December 2008.

Iraq War
Boswell voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

On January 12, 2007, Rep. Jackson introduced a bill (H.R.438) which would restrict the any funds “appropriated or otherwise made available” to the Defense Department from being spent to increase the number of U.S. forces in Iraq (from their numbers as of January 1, 2007.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Support for gun control
Jackson cosponsored H.R. 1312 (Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2005) on July 28, 2005.

Bio
Jackson was born March 11, 1965 in Greenville, South Carolina. He was educated at St. Albans School, Le Mans Academy, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before entering the House, he was the national field director of the National Rainbow Coalition and a member of the Rainbow/PUSH Action Network.

Congressional Career
He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He is also a founding board member of the Apollo Alliance, an organization dedicated to renewable energy.

He took his seat in the House after winning a special election in December 1995, following the conviction and his subsequent resignation of Representative Mel Reynolds.

Jackson was an early supporter of both U.S. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and former Governor Howard Dean of Vermont.

Recent articles in several publications, including Newsweek, have suggested that he is considering running for mayor of Chicago against scandal-plagued incumbent Richard M. Daley in the 2007 election.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Robert Belin to face Jackson in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Jackson retained his seat.

Money in politics
cid=N00012457&cycle=2008

Committees and Affiliations

 * Advisory Board, Institute on Religion and Public Policy
 * Advisory Committee, FairVote

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services
 * Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Export Financing and Related Programs
 * Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Buzzflash Interview with Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Philosophe Forum
 * Prairie State Blue - Statewide Illinois Progressive Politics Blog