Movers Haul Jackson Jr.'s D.C. Office Belongings To Chicago Home
Updated 01/23/13 - 6:08 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A moving truck was seen outside former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s home on the South Side on Wednesday.
While it was initially believed the Jackson family might be moving out of their home in Washington, D.C., and back into their home in Chicago, it turned out the movers were bringing items from his former Congressional office on Capitol Hill.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports the moving truck served as evidence of Jackson's 17 years of work in Congress. It was a productive 17 years for the South Shore Democrat – though now tainted by a campaign finance scandal – as Jackson worked hard on legislation to benefit workers, minorities, and the underprivileged.
Workers unloaded box after box at the Jackson family home, bringing dozens of boxes of books, cartons of files, and wardrobes of Jackson's work clothes taken from his former office on Capitol Hill.
There were also crates containing photographs, awards, and paintings which had decorated the office walls.
Those things were all in place in November, before Jackson resigned, along with a desk full of memorabilia accumulated during Jackson's time in Congress.
Sources said Jackson's personal books, papers, and other possessions were packed up by his staff over the holidays.
They were shipped out of the Capitol last week, just before the inauguration on Monday – where Jackson was conspicuous by his absence, after having viewed the last four Presidential oaths of office, including President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009.
But that was then, and this is now. Jackson resigned from Congress in November, following a long absence from Congress for treatment of bipolar disorder. In addition, his defense attorneys have been negotiating a plea deal with federal prosecutors investigating possible misuse of campaign funds to decorate the Jackson home in D.C.
His wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson, resigned from the Chicago City Council earlier this month.
Jackson Jr. is still at his home in Washington, receiving ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder. His wife is now a full-time mom, trying to help her children through a very difficult period.
Sources said many of the items brought to their South Side home eventually will be donated to Jesse Jackson Jr.'s alma mater, North Carolina A&T, but for now they'll remain in Chicago.
