Reverend Corey Brooks is sticking with his day job and staying put in Chicago, for now.
Brooks, who is also known as the rooftop pastor, told his parishioners at New Beginnings Church on Sunday he would not be running for former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s vacant seat in the 2nd Congressional District.
Brooks said he wanted to focus on his family and the Project H.O.O.D. initiative. He also said he still has the monumental task of raising $15 million for the construction of the Project H.O.O.D. Community Center. Over the summer, he walked across America and raised $500,000 toward his goal.
Earlier this year, Brooks camped out on the roof of an abandoned motel for 94 days to raise money for the purchase of the land for the center, earning him the nickname "Rooftop Pastor."
A week ago, Brooks told NBC News he was thinking about running and working with an exploratory committee. He was not sure if he would run, but was confident he could do the job.
Last month, Jackson resigned from his seat in a letter to the U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, citing ongoing health concerns, and acknowledging a swirling federal investigation. His resignation came weeks after winning reelection to the 2nd U.S. Congressional District, which he did without campaigning in person.
Gov. Pat Quinn has set the dates for a special primary and general election to determine who will fill Jackson's vacant seat. The primary election will be held on Feb. 26, 2013 and the general election will be held on April 9, 2013. Both dates coincide with local elections.
