The mother of Jesse Jackson Jr. said Friday the congressman has dealt with "enormous disappointment" in recent years and needs time to heal, the first time she has publicly addressed her son's secretive leave of absence.
Jacqueline Jackson made the comments during a speech at an Operation PUSH event in Chicago that also touched on her work in the civil rights movement and other issues.
"I'm not ashamed to say he thought he was going to be a senator," she said. "He thought he was going to have a chance to run for mayor. And young people don't bounce back from disappointment like me and my husband."
Rep. Jackson's office said this week he is suffering from a "mood disorder," but did not provide any details or name the facility where he is being treated during his month long leave of absence. Several doctors interviewed by The Associated Press have said that, based on the use of the term "mood disorder," they believed the 47-year-old Jackson might be suffering from depression.
Jackson, who once aspired to succeed Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, is now under an ethics investigation in the U.S. House. The probe focuses on accusations that he discussed fundraising for then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign in return for an appointment to Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat. Blagojevich is serving a prison sentence for corruption. Jackson has denied the claims.
In her remarks Friday, Jackson's mother said young people should to prepare themselves for life's disappointments.
"They need to make themselves available to understand many of the illusions and the trinkets that are being dangled in front of their faces," she was quoted as saying by WBBM-TV.
She also appealed for prayers and privacy.
"My son is unwell, and he needs a moment to heal," she said. "And I ask you to pray for me without cease. Do for me what I've done for you. I want you to respect that. Give us a moment. Most of all for him."
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:05:27 GMT
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Republicans call them "scandals." Democrats call them "fishing expeditions." Whatever the case, the Obama administration finds itself trying to fix three big problems this week. FOX's Bret Baier reports.
Republicans call them "scandals." Democrats call them "fishing expeditions." Whatever the case, the Obama administration finds itself trying to fix three big problems this week. FOX's Bret Baier reports.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:51 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:51:51 GMT
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
Faced with a trio of controversies, President Barack Obama is trying to halt a perception spreading among both White House opponents and allies that he has been passive and disengaged as unexpected developments...
President Barack Obama, seeking to regain his footing amid controversies hammering the White House, named a temporary chief for the scandal-marred Internal Revenue Service Thursday and pressed Congress to approve new...
After initially opposing the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon now supports the bill awaiting a State Senate vote. She told Good Day Chicago why she changed her mind.
After initially opposing the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon now supports the bill awaiting a State Senate vote. She told Good Day Chicago why she changed her mind.
An Afghan official says a bomb hidden in a parked motorcycle has ripped through a crowded bazaar in a remote region of the southern Helmand province, killing at least three people and wounding seven.
A roadside bomb struck a U.S. convoy in southern Afghanistan Tuesday, killing three American troops, while a motorcycle bomb in a crowded village market killed at least three Afghan civilians, officials said.
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