Rumors Swirling, Jesse Jackson Denies Son Tried Suicide

It could be September by the time Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. returns to Congress, insiders tell Politico after the Illinois lawmaker was hospitalized for exhaustion. And that's "if he comes back at all," notes one Democrat. An Illinois radio station reported a rumor that the son of the civil rights leader had attempted suicide, but his father says that's completely "not true. He’s with his doctor and getting treatment, regaining his strength. That’s all I really want to say at this point," the Rev. Jesse Jackson says.

An aide to the younger Jackson said he had "no ... information" to indicate a suicide attempt. Still, congressional Democrats, including Sen. Dick Durbin, are calling on Jackson to furnish more details of his situation. Jackson was implicated in the Senate seat-peddling scandal that imprisoned Rod Blagojevich; a major Democratic fundraiser linked to him was indicted last month on fraud charges. Jackson has denied impropriety in lobbying Blagojevich for the Senate appointment, notes Politico. (More Jesse Jackson Jr. stories.)