Jackson Jr.'s district has history of corruption

CHICAGO | They elected a Harvard-educated Rhodes Scholar and ended up with a congressman who was convicted of having sex with an underage campaign worker. They voted for the son of a famous civil rights leader and got someone who illegally spent campaign funds on everything from furniture to…

Jackson Jr.'s district has history of corruption

Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. leaves federal court in Washington after he entered a guilty plea to criminal charges that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items. Residents in Illinois' 2nd District are preparing to vote in a special primary Tuesd…

Candidates promise their own form of fiscal stimulus for the 2nd Congressional District

OLYMPIA FIELDS | Candidates in the 2nd Congressional District last week offered initiatives to improve the district's economic situation. While most of the suggestions weren't new, each candidate promised a renewed vigor to push them forward.

AFSCME union endorses Hutchinson in 2nd District

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. | Former state Rep. Toi Hutchinson has received a labor endorsement in her bid to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in the U.S. House.

Preckwinkle endorses Hutchinson in 2nd District

CHICAGO | The race to replace former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. heated up Monday when Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle endorsed state Sen. Toi Hutchinson over former state Rep. Robin Kelly, her onetime aide.

Race issues heat up special election to replace Jackson as some believe black vote will be split among African-American candidates

Maybe people hoped the color of a candidate's skin was a pre-Obama cultural and political concern.

GSU to host 2nd Congressional District candidate forum next month

UNIVERSITY PARK | Governors State University will host a forum for candidates seeking the vacant congressional seat in Illinois’ 2nd District. The forum, in GSU’s Center for Performing Arts, takes place at 6 p.m. Feb. 7.

Trotter officially drops out of congressional campaign

LYNWOOD | Congressional hopeful Donne Trotter said Saturday he does not want to become a distraction from serious issues being discussed during the upcoming election cycle to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.

Trotter officially drops out of congressional campaign

Illinois State Sen. Donne Trotter speaks at a news conference. Dec. 11 in Chicago.

Trotter bows out of congressional campaign

State Sen. Donne Trotter, a possible front-runner to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress, will announce Saturday he is dropping out of the special election.

Lawmaker facing gun charge still campaigning

CHICAGO | State Sen. Donne Trotter, who has been charged with trying to board a flight with a gun in his carry-on bag, said Wednesday he believes he still has a chance to fill Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat in Congress. Though Trotter's attorney acknowledged there is a "cloud hanging over his head."

Jackson's wife won't run for his US House seat

CHICAGO | The wife of Jesse Jackson Jr. said Tuesday that she's not interested in running for the U.S. House seat her husband held for nearly 17 years, ending talk that she was eying the Chicago-area district.

Hutchinson puts together campaign team of experienced operatives

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | The campaign of Toi Hutchinson, one of many candidates who wish to replace Jesse Jackson Jr., in Congress, will have several experienced political operatives working to get her the Democratic nomination in the Feb. 26 special election primary.

Illinois House approves April special election

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | The Illinois House has voted unanimously to allow the special election to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress to be held April 9.

Lawmakers give early OK to vote for Jackson seat

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a plan to hold the special election for former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s House seat on April 9.

Special election for Jackson seat set for March 19

CHICAGO | Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday tentatively set the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. for March 19 and said he would seek approval to move it to coincide with municipal elections on April 9.

VIDEO: Race Heats Up For Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Seat

Pols coming forth to replace Jackson

At least six current or former political officials have contacted Thornton Township Democratic Committeeman Frank Zuccarelli in recent days to express their interest in being chosen to replace Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., in Congress, according to Zuccarelli spokesman Bob Storman.