Will he or won't he? Embattled Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has until the end of the day Friday to decide whether he'll remain on the November ballot.
Jackson currently remains an incumbent in the race for the 2nd District Congressional seat, facing Republican Brian Woodworth and independent Marcus Lewis.
But Jackson had a few other things to worry about this summer besides campaigning.
For one, he went on medical leave in June and is being treated for bi-polar disorder at the Mayo Clinic. Following his disappearance, few details were released about his condition and nothing about his whereabouts. Rumors mounted and members of congress implored him to come clean.
Meanwhile the House Ethics Committee has continued investigating allegations Jackson discussed raising money for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign in exchange for an appointment as senator. Some say the committee will decide to censure the congressman when it completes its investigation.
For now, supporters say the goal is to get better. Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who recently visited Jackson at the Mayo Clinic, described him as emotionally "fragile."
Jackson's wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th), said earlier this month she believes her husband's medical issues are related to the gastric bypass surgery he had several years ago and denied his ailment is related to addiction .
She dodged questions about rumors of a September release and said it’s up to the doctors to decide when he will return to office.
Jackson’s staff has reassured officials in his district that he will be back on the job soon.
