“I Love My Husband:” Sandi Jackson

The wife of exhausted Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. made her first public comments since her husband took a medical leave from office.

In the center of a mob of reporters at Wednesday's Chicago City Council meeting, Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th) spoke of her children, offered thanks for prayers and ultimately stood by Jackson Jr.

"I love my husband very much," Sandi Jackson said.

"I want to thank all of those folks who prayed for our family, who have kept my husband and myself and my children uplifted in prayer," she said. "It’s gratifying to know that there’s so much support."

Rep. Jackson Jr.'s office announced Monday he had taken a medical leave from his congressional job to be treated for exhaustion.

Rick Bryant, Jackson’s chief of staff, told NBC Chicago Tuesday the office delayed the announcement of his leave, which began June 10, because of the indictment of Raghu Nayak, Jackson’s longtime friend who faces fraud and tax charges.

The Illinois State Board of Elections said that Monday also was the deadline for independent candidates to file in Jackson’s second congressional district.

Jackson’s staffers have refused to address his whereabouts, citing privacy issues. Sandi Jackson also declined to offer details.

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