Jackson is a free man for now, but how long will that last? Source close to the family tell FOX 32's Darlene Hill that if he hasn't already reached an agreement with the feds, he's pretty close.
One of the things he was asking for was a disability package and sources say, he got it.
Before handing in his letter of resignation and giving up his seat in the 2nd District, Jackson applied for his disability package. That was done in mid-October, after Jesse Jackson Jr. checked out of the Mayo Clinic where he was being treated for bi-polar disorder.
Sources say the former congressman received that approval letter in November just days before giving up the congressional seat he'd held since 1995.
The feds have been talking to Jesse Jackson Jr. since the end of April. Sources say he went into a deep depression in June--at times crying uncontrollably. He hired a prominent Chicago attorney in august to negotiate a plea agreement.
At that time, the federal government had two open investigations on the former congressman. One investigation involved "play to pay" politics and if Jackson tried to buy President Barack Obama's former senate seat.
Sources also tell FOX 32 that Jackson Jr. got nervous after the feds questioned him about misusing campaign funds. They want to know where the money came from to remodel the family's South Shore bungalow in Chicago and to pay for a $42,000 Rolex for a female friend.
FOX 32 first reported months ago that Jackson's plea deal would include jail time. Sources also tell FOX 32 that to shave time off his sentence, Jackson may be naming names and giving the feds info on big contributors to his campaign. Sources say one of those donors has already been contacted and questioned by the federal government.
Jackson's wife, former Alderman Sandi Jackson gave her seat in the 7th ward up last month. The federal government is investigating her because sources say she was a paid consultant with the former congressman's campaign operation. She has hired on an attorney and has already met with the feds.
FOX 32's sources also say that Jesse Jackson Jr. is walking away from Congress with pension, where he'll get about 85 percent of his pay and the disability package. If he is convicted of wrongdoing, he will lose that pension.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
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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