CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Doctors are releasing a bit more information about the mysterious medical condition affecting Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s doctor's office released the following statement Wednesday night:
"Information regarding the Congressman's treatment is protected by federal law under the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPPA"). The name of the attending physician and treatment center will not be disclosed in order to protect his continuing privacy. His physician makes the following statement:"
"The Congressman is receiving intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder. He is responding positively to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery."
"In addition, the rumors about him being treated for alcohol and substance abuse is not true."
Earlier, Jackson's wife, Sandi, told Fox Chicago's Darlene Hill in a text message: "I've been in consultations with his doctors and am hopeful a statement will be released soon."
The latest information is enough to satisfy some but not all.
"I think it probably does deserve some type of explanation. It's been over a month. But people have their reasons for doing whatever, so I don't know. It's hard for me to pinpoint. I hear things on the news, I mull it and come up with my own answers but I don't know," one man told FOX Chicago Thursday morning.
"Give the guy a break. I agree with that. I think he's a good young man. He's having some tough times. He deserves our sympathy and not our criticism," another man said.
Some critics have been loudly skeptical of Jackson's unilateral "leave of absence." It was originally blamed on "exhaustion," but they've suggested Jackson might be ducking problems such as a House Ethics Committee investigation.
The chief of psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, though, said a patient diagnosed with "mood disorder" faces a serious and potentially lengthy ailment.
Dr. Mark Pollack, Rush University Medical Center tells Fox Chicago News, "These are real disorders. These are brain disorders. And, again, the good news is that while serious they are treatable."
On Tuesday, Jackson's spokespeople said rumors swirling around the Congressman were untrue. A source told FOX Chicago News that Jackson will be back in Washington well before the November election.
Jackson has been on a leave of absence for a month.
Even some of Jackson's closest allies like Senator Dick Durbin and Rep. Luis Gutierrez have said it's time for the congressman to let the public know what's going on, after being gone for so long.
His opponents, like Brian Woodward and Debbie Halvorson, were the first to make such comments.
Pelosi expects Jackson to explain medical absence
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says she expects Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to explain his weeks-long leave of absence after he has had an evaluation of his medical condition.
Pelosi indicated that she had not spoken to the Illinois Democrat.
Pelosi told reporters it was sad that Jackson has been absent from Congress since the beginning of June. Members of the Illinois delegation have said Jackson has a responsibility to provide the public with an update soon.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois voters have "heard enough" about U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s reason for disappearing from public view.
Quinn said he prays every day for the Democratic congressman and thinks the rest of Illinois should pray for Jackson, too.
But the Democratic governor said Wednesday, "I think you've heard enough -- that he has some health challenges that he's dealing with right now."
A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who has been on medical leave for a month without giving details about his exact condition or location, said Wednesday he soon may have more information about the Chicago Democrat.
"We hope to hear from the doctors soon," Jackson spokesman Rick Bryant told The Associated Press. He declined to elaborate.
Bryant's comment is the first acknowledgement from anyone close to Jackson that specifics about his ailment might be on the way. Pressure on Jackson to give an update has been mounting, with fellow Illinois Democrats and his political opponents calling it his responsibility as a public official.
Jackson, 47, went on leave June 10, but did not disclose it publicly until two weeks later. Staff members initially released a short statement saying Jackson was being treated for exhaustion. Last week they said Jackson's condition was worse than previously thought and required treatment at an inpatient facility. Staff also said Jackson has been battling emotional problems privately.
Bryant has said relatives requested Jackson's location be kept private. His family has been unusually reticent on the issue. Jackson's civil rights leader father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., has called it a private issue and repeatedly declined to give details. Congressman Jackson's wife, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, also has said little.
The timing of the leave has raised questions.
A House Ethics Committee investigation is pending over allegations Jackson discussed raising money for Rod Blagojevich's campaign so the then-Illinois governor would appoint him to President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat. Blagojevich is serving a prison sentence for corruption.
Jackson also allegedly directed a fundraiser, Raghuveer Nayak, to buy plane tickets for a woman described as Jackson's "social acquaintance." Jackson and his wife have called that a personal matter.
Days before Jackson announced the medical leave, Nayak was arrested and pleaded not guilty to unrelated medical fraud charges. At Blagojevich's 2010 corruption trial, prosecutors said another Blagojevich fundraiser was ready to testify that Jackson instructed Nayak to raise money for Blagojevich's campaign to help him secure the Senate seat. The same witness later testified he attended a meeting with Jackson and Nayak.
Jackson was not charged and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Jackson faces two little-known opponents in November, though he's widely expected to win re-election. He first won office in a 1995 special election and has easily won each race since. Jackson's district includes parts of Chicago and some suburbs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
