Sandi Jackson
Sandi Jackson | |
---|---|
Member of the Chicago City Council from the 7th ward | |
In office May 21, 2007 – January 15, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Darcel Beavers |
Succeeded by | Natashia Holmes |
Personal details | |
Born | Sandra Lee Stevens September 14, 1963 Kittery, Maine, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Education | Bowling Green State University (BA) Georgetown University University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (JD) |
Sandra Lee Jackson (née Stevens;
She is the ex-wife of former U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and erstwhile daughter-in-law of Jesse Jackson. Her candidacy for the city council of a major city was part of national news stories in The New York Times,[2][3] and thoughts of her running for a position in the United States House of Representatives were noted in Time.[4]
Jackson has also been a longtime political consultant through her solely owned consulting firm J. Donatella & Associates.[5]
Personal life
Born in
The Jacksons have two children, Jessica Donatella Jackson (born March 13, 2000)
Jackson had suffered multiple
On July 14, 2016, Jackson's husband filed for divorce from her in Cook County, Illinois.[25] They reached a settlement in April 2018.[26]
Early political experience
Early in Jackson's political career she served as
Jackson's political career prior to her election as 7th Ward Alderman included the following positions: Deputy Director of Training for the
"If Bill Clinton's wife can run for the U.S. Senate, if Bob Dole's wife can run for the Senate and for president, then why can't my wife be an alderman?"
—
While Jackson was serving as the Export-Import Bank's director of congressional affairs, she lobbied in opposition of her husband's proposal to tighten the restrictions on the activities in Africa of the Export-Import Bank. She did so successfully, as her husband's amendment failed.[28]
Jackson considered running for public office during the 2003 Chicago municipal elections.[27] At the time, Jackson, Jr. discouraged his wife from running for public office.[29] However, he felt his wife should be eligible to run for Alderman, despite the controversy surrounding such a candidacy.[27]
2007 election
Campaign
In 2006, William Beavers announced that he would resign his 7th ward aldermanic seat to pursue the
Jackson carried numerous endorsements including The Chicago Tribune[38][39][40] and numerous labor unions.[41][42] Jackson was not endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party.[43]
The Jackson family (Sandi, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.) have occasionally not seen eye to eye with Mayor Daley.[2] In fact, Congressman Jackson was considering contesting Daley for Mayor until the Democratic Party success in the 2006 fall elections made it clear he could be very productive by remaining in Congress because of his party's majority.[3][44] Sandi Jackson, who is credited with encouraging Jackson, Jr. to run for Congress, had been supportive of the idea of him running for mayor.[45] William Beavers had been a longtime Daley ally.[2][3] However, Jackson says she has good relations with the Daleys, especially Bill Daley.[6]
Jackson took leave from her position as deputy political director of training for the Democratic National Committee to run and her husband bought up the
Results
- Darcel Beavers 4004 (33.50%)
- Ron David 951 (7.96%)
- Eric Brown 216 (1.81%)
- Jackson 6783 (56.74%)[48][49]
Beavers was one of only four incumbents on the 50-member City Council to lose during the municipal elections.
Aldermanic career
The city of Chicago is divided into fifty wards that are each represented by an alderman in the Chicago City Council. The northern portion of Chicago's seventh ward is adjacent to the
Jackson's aldermanic career began inauspiciously when she complained to the Chicago Sun-Times, one of Chicago's major daily newspapers, that she was caught off-guard by the need to pay office start-up expenses up front.[54] This provided fodder for a columnist in the Chicago Tribune, the other major daily,[55] and anonymous on-line commenters on the Chicago Sun-Times web site made light of the issue.[56] At the time, Jackson was considered by one local political writer as the most closely watched of the nine newly elected aldermen that were sworn in on May 21, 2007 and by another as the "star" of the incoming class of nine freshman aldermen.[57][58]
Her first political statement as an alderman was disappointment in Mayor Daley's decision to force his affordable housing ordinance through the council with nine lame duck councilmen during the week before the new class was sworn in because new alderman would be "forced to live by" the new ordinance.[58] Meanwhile, her husband propounded a 10-point ethics reform that would give the city's inspector general power to investigate aldermen; reduce the number of City Council committees to 10; limit municipal campaign contributions for each election cycle; and strip the mayor of the authority to appoint replacements for aldermanic vacancies.[58]
Upon assuming office, she stated that she would emphasize economic development as her primary goal for her ward.[59] One of her goals has been to redevelop the 570-acre (2.31 km2) landfill on the site of the former U.S. Steel mill into a lakefront community.[8]
A local political writer immediately looked for signs that the nine new councilmen who were supported by pro-labor forces would form a block against the pro-business Mayor and old guard members.
Jackson was among the co-sponsors of a council resolution in opposition of U.S. military attacks against Iraq.[69]
There has been international press covering the City Council's deliberations regarding Grant Park and the Chicago Children's Museum.[70][71][72] Mayor Daley has propounded a controversial proposal to relocate the Chicago Children's Museum from Navy Pier to a City park, Grant Park that passed 33–16, with Jackson in the minority.[73][74]
Jackson called attention to
Jackson was among the councilman and citizens who expressed outrage at the light punishment issued by the mayor's office over a multimillion-dollar city contract scheme. Jackson viewed it as a moral issue where the Mayor did not appropriately condemn immoral activity, which in her eyes encourages similar behavior.[77] During a Summer 2008 violent crime rash she was among the aldermen calling for refocussed emphasis on adequate police support.[78][79]
She continues to tout a plan to redevelop the USX steel mill as an effort to revitalize her ward.[43][80] She foresees 17,000 new residences, a high-end mall, and significant amounts of parkland with construction beginning in 2009.[81] By the beginning of her second year on the 50-person city council, Jackson had already amassed the 17th largest pool of campaign funds.[82]
She has been vocal in pursuit of transparency on the issue of whether Mayor Daley should transfer the monitoring of city hiring to Inspector General David Hoffman and has voted against the mayors proposal to create a separate Office of Compliance.[83][84] Her voting record earned her praise from the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization.[85] A year and a half into Jackson's first term, local political commentator Don Rose writing in the Chicago Sun-Times included Jackson among four aldermen he considered to be inheriting a mantle of reform.[86]
In 2001, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Jackson, Jr. could hire his wife on his campaign payroll. The ruling stated that relatives can be employed as long as they were compensated "no more than the fair market value" for their services. At the time, Sandi Jackson was employed by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as the deputy director of training.[87] Many other lawmakers have made similar arrangements without contacting the FEC for a ruling. When House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was charged with ethical infractions, matters such as these came to light.[88] Jackson remained on the payroll of her husband's main campaign fund, Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress, in 2006 as she considered a run for public office.[87] She also continued to be employed by Howard Dean of the DNC.[8] Between 2001 and early 2009, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s congressional campaign paid Sandra at least $247,500, including at least $95,000 after Sandra became Alderman.[89]
Jackson received a $4,000 digital radio from Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (Chicago's 911 Center) to monitor snow removal and emergency operations in her ward. The radio was returned when the controversy that arose led to a personnel reshuffling that included the reassignment of a high ranking Hispanic city employee.[90]
When Congressman Bobby Rush was battling cancer, Time and other publications mentioned Jackson as a potential future candidate for the United States House of Representatives in Illinois's 1st congressional district.[4][91] Responding to resignation requests,[92] Rush noted that he would be returning to his congressional duties following post-operative treatment.[91] When he returned to full health he noted his disappointment in the premature consideration of his replacement.[93][94] The issue led to a public reconciliation initiated by Jackson, Jr. at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, termed a "hugfest" by the press.[95][96][97] While considering the possibility of Jackson, Jr. being appointed to fill Barack Obama's United States Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times mentioned her as a possible candidate for Jackson, Jr.'s Illinois's 2nd congressional district seat.[98]
During the
In 2008, her second year as alderman, Jackson directed more than $32,000 in payments from her aldermanic expense account to her American Express account. Jackson said she used an AmEx account to launch her office during her freshman term.[101]
Criminal investigation, resignation and conviction
In 2012 federal prosecutors reviewed evidence that Jackson faced potential criminal liability for misuse of her husband's campaign funds; allegedly she and the Congressman used campaign funds to decorate their Washington, DC home.[102][103] Jackson resigned from Chicago City Council, effective January 15, 2013.[104] On February 15, 2013 Jackson agreed to a plea deal.[105][106] On February 20, 2013, Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of filing false tax returns after neglecting to declare nearly $580,000 in income.[107][108]
On August 14, 2013, Jackson was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, while her husband was sentenced to 30 months in jail. Judge Berman Jackson said she'd let the couple decide who should first serve out their prison term.[109] Court documents also showed she had spent campaign funds on personal items such as vacations, electronics and furs. She was ordered to pay $22,000 in restitution.[110] She entered the Federal Prison Camp, Alderson in Alderson, West Virginia to begin her sentence on October 20, 2015 after her husband was paroled.[111] She completed her prison term on October 18, 2016 and began 12 months of supervised release.[112]
Non-Aldermanic work
In October 2007, Jackson filed to pursue William Beavers' 7th ward Democratic
Jackson has also been a long-time political consultant through her solely owned consulting firm J. Donatella & Associates. She has run and advised on several Democratic campaigns including her husband's Congressional races. She continued to be active in this arena while serving as an alderman.[5] She has served as a campaign manager and chief political strategist for Robin Kelly, David Miller, William Davis and James Meeks.[6]
Notes
- ^ Chicago Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ a b c Saulny, Susan (February 28, 2006). "Daley Easily Wins Re-election in Chicago". New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
- ^ a b c Saulny, Susan (February 18, 2007). "With Eye on Post-Daley Era, 2 Powerful Families Battle for a Chicago Council Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ a b Trygstad, Kyle (June 2, 2008). "If Rush Retires, Many Are Ready". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Zimmermann, Stephanie (December 19, 2006). "Jesse Jr.'s wife running for alderman: 'Change is in the air' says 7th Ward hopeful". Chicago Sun-Times. Digital Chicago, Inc. Archived from the original on January 16, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ a b Jackson and Watkins, pp. 36-7
- ^ "Brandie and Barry Help a Political Couple Decide How to Vote on Renovation: Episode HHDPO-809". HGTV.com. Scripps Networks, LLC. Archived from the original on May 2, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ^ "Let's Take the Power Into Our Own Hands!!!". runsandirun.com. December 20, 2006. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
- Newsbank. March 14, 2000. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- Newsbank. September 21, 2003. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. October 4, 2003. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
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- Newsbank. January 14, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- Newsbank. August 24, 1998. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
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- ^ "Ex-Rep. Jesse Jackson divorce trial date set after 'mediation was not successful'". Chicago Tribune. July 25, 2017.
- ^ O'Connell, Patrick M. (April 13, 2018). "Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson Reach Settlement in Contentious Divorce Case". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
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- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
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- ^ "February, 2007 Municipal -- Alderman 7th Ward". Chicago Board of Elections Commission. 2007. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
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- ^ Flannery, Mike (May 21, 2007). "Chicago City Council Swears In 50 Aldermen". CBS Broadcasting, Inc. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
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- Newsbank. October 20, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Johnson, Dirk (March 3, 1998). "Jesse Jackson Jr. Is His Father's Son, But He Reaches Beyond the Rainbow". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- USA TODAY. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Johnson, Dirk (July 28, 1998). "Democrats Cast Wary Eye on One of Their Own". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
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- ^ "In a fight over Grant Park, Chicago's mayor faces a small revolt". The Economist. The Economist Newspaper Limited. October 4, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (June 12, 2008). "Mayor gets what he wants—Council OKs move 33–16 despite opposition". Chicago Sun-Times. Newsbank. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ^ "The taking of Grant Park". Chicago Tribune. Newsbank. June 8, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
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- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
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- ^ Burger, Timothy J. (May 21, 2009). "Jesse Jackson Jr. Pays Campaign Funds to Chicago Alderman Wife". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
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- ^ Pearson, Rick (August 27, 2008). "Illinois Democratic hug fest at convention (with video)". Clout Street. Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 31, 2008.
- Southtown Star. Archived from the originalon July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
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- )
- ^ Dardick, Hal (August 15, 2009). "What's in Chicago aldermanic expense accounts?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
{{cite news}}
: External link in
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- UPI. November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ Barrett, Devlin (November 12, 2012). "Inquiry Expands to Lawmaker's Wife". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ "Ald. Sandi Jackson has resigned from City Council". myfoxchicago.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
- Washington Times. February 15, 2013.
- ^ Schmidt, Michael S. (February 15, 2013). "Lavish Lifestyle of a Lawmaker Yields Federal Charges".
- ^ Southall, Ashley (August 15, 2013). "Jesse Jackson Jr. Gets 30 Months, and His Wife 12, to Be Served at Separate Times". The New York Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Skiba, Katherine; Coen, Jeff; Venteicher, Wes (February 20, 2013). "Jacksons' guilt a tale of excess". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Both Jacksons Going To Prison For Misusing Campaign Funds". CBS Chicago. CBS Local Media. August 14, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
- ^ "Both Jacksons Going To Prison For Misusing Campaign Funds". CBS Chicago. CBS Local Media. August 14, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
- ^ Skiba, Katherine (October 18, 2016). "Ex-Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson starts prison term in corruption case". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ Skiba, Katherine (October 18, 2016). "Ex-Ald. Sandi Jackson completes prison term, joins husband on parole". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- Newsbank. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- Newsbank. December 7, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ "Results". Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
- ^ Patterson, Steve (February 26, 2008). "'Wow!' Sandi Jackson scores another big win". Chicago Sun-Times. Digital Chicago, Inc. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- Newsbank. February 7, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
References
- Jackson, Jesse L., Jr., with Frank E. Watkins, A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights.., ISBN 1-56649-186-X, Welcome Rain Publishers: New York, 2001.
External links