Mitchell: Where is Sandi Jackson?

In talking about the race for the 2nd congressional district and in the wake of state Sen. Donne Trotter getting arrested for having a gun at O'Hare (he's in that 2nd district race himself) we forgot about Jesse Jackson Jr's wife Sandi . She's an alderman of the 7th ward and Mary Mitchell wonders where is Sandi? 

OK so basically there was a shooting in her ward and it happened four blocks away from her. BTW, you may need to register at the Sun-Times to read the whole article. To start:

The spot where five people were wounded by gunfire outside a currency exchange Monday night is just four blocks from Ald. Sandi Jackson’s 7th Ward office.

It is bad enough that the shots were fired at one of the busiest intersections in the South Shore neighborhood, but the shooter didn’t even have respect for the office holder.

Indeed, this shooter was so cold-hearted, he didn’t care that mothers and children were waiting at the bus stop or that senior citizens were being cared for at a nursing home directly across the street.

And he certainly didn’t care that diners in a nearby restaurant, Metra commuters, and patrons at a liquor-food mart had a plain view of the carnage.

This mayhem didn’t happen in one of the neighborhoods we often describe as low-income, struggling or troubled. This happened in a neighborhood that is home to some of the city’s most prominent African Americans.

 And then, the rest of the story and where Ald. Jackson fits:

While there was a lot of consternation about when former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. would return from medical leave and resume his duties in Congress, far too little has been said about Ald. Sandi Jackson’s disappearing act.

When five people are shot on the street, you expect the alderman to take some kind of action ­— lead a peace rally, hold a news conference or let citizens rant at a town hall meeting — anything that would demonstrate outrage over an intolerable situation.

I called Jackson’s office on Wednesday, two days after the shooting, and got no response.

I understand that the alderman is dealing with some tough personal issues, and I sympathize with her plight.

But it could have been me coming out of the restaurant or getting off the Metra the night bullets were flying.

This certainly could lead a certain amount of credibility to the charge that she doesn't live in the 7th Ward full-time and instead resides in Washington, DC. Although to be sure, she no longer has business in DC since her husband is no longer a member of Congress.

Certainly she's experiencing a tough time personally but her people in the 7th Ward need her as well!

State Senator Donne Trotter free from jail - but not criticism

from Prairie State Report

* Thanks to Facebook Friend Joe Lake for these links and updates on the 2nd Congressional District and their candidates. Joe has several Facebook groups, including Chicago's Chatham Connection and and ILCD 2nd District


Several news reports have noted that Donne Trotter is free on $25,000 bail. According to reports, such as the Tribune's Chicago Breaking News, Trotter still had the clothes on that he was arrested in.

DNAinfo also reported that a) the gun was not registered in Sen. Trotter's name, b) the FOID lists his Springfield office address, not his home in Chicago,  and c) that Allpoints declines to confirm or deny Trotter's employment.

However, despite being free form jail, Sen. Trotter is not free from criticism.

For example, The Prairie State Report, a conservative IL blog, claims that Donne Trotter does not  actually work for Allpoints Security, as Trotter claimed, and gives reasoning why that is so.

(to learn more about The Prairie State Report, from their website)

Cops: State senator tried to board plane with unloaded gun, clip

From Chicago Breaking News

Cops: State senator tried to board plane with unloaded gun, clip

So he works a second job as a security guard???

Roland Burris School of Politics on January 8, 9, 10

Former US Sen. Roland Burris

Seeking more info a flyer is posted below!

West Chesterfield invites you to the "Burris School of Politics" All community residents and leaders are welcome.

BURRIS SCHOOL OF POLITICS

The Burris School of Politics is designed as a combination of political education and experience based training for leadership.

The aim of the Burris School of Politics is to enable people through a condensed education and training program.

The school provides theoretical knowledge and development of practical skills in understanding of political cultures, management and communication.

The school is for everyone:

• Republican, Democratic or Independent
• Newly Appointed Officials
• Individuals Seeking Office
• High School and College Students
• All interested in upcoming elections and how government works

Limited Space REGISTER TODAY! Limited Space

• To Register Call: 312.364.9292 Ext. 22
• Class Dates: January 8, 9, and 10 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
• Class Times: 5:00pm to 8:00pm
• Tuition Fee: $50
• Class Location: West Chesterfield Community Association
• Cultural Center: 9351 S. Michigan, Chicago, IL
  (Park along East and West on 94th Street)

CTA Holiday Train Red Line Schedule

The CTA has posted dates for their annual Holiday Train. The actual hourly schedule will be posted shortly.

The Red Line dates are

• Wednesday, Dec. 12
• Friday, Dec. 14
• Saturday, Dec. 15
• Tuesday, Dec. 18
• Saturday, Dec. 22

On that last date, Dec. 22, The SixthWard writer , JP Paulus, will be there again with his family. Contact him at jp (at) TheSixthWard.us if you are interested in joining us. 

Cardinal George to Visit St. Columbanus

Cardinal Francis George of the Chicago Archdioces is coming to St. Columbanus 301E 71st Street this Sunday, Dec. 2 at 10:30am for a brief prayer service to show his solidarity with the people of the Park Manor neighborhood in light of the tragedy on Monday. It may only be about 15 minutes.
This past Monday a gang related shootout took place in front of the church. The shooting was not related to the church or neighborhood but the result of an unreported gang funeral at AA Rayner Funeral Home which sits across the street. For more info on Monday http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-2-shot-on-south-side-possibly-at-funeral-20121126,0,4345681.story

The disappearing black middle-class - Chicago Sun-Times

The disappearing black middle-class - Chicago Sun-Times

Just to note this piece was written in the summer of 2011. I wonder how much of this information is still applicable even in 2012 going into 2013?

Millions of Americans endured financial calamities in the recession. But for many in the black community, job loss has knocked them out of the middle class and back into poverty. And some experts warn of a historic reversal of hard-won economic gains that took black people decades to achieve.

“History is going to say the black middle class was decimated” over the past few years, said Maya Wiley, director of the Center for Social Inclusion. “But we’re not done writing history.”

Adds Algernon Austin, director of the Economic Policy Institute’s Program on Race, Ethnicity and the Economy: “The recession is not over for black folks.”

In 2004, the median net worth of white households was $134,280, compared with $13,450 for black households, according to an analysis of Federal Reserve data by the Economic Policy Institute. By 2009, the median net worth for white households had fallen 24 percent to $97,860; the median net worth for black households had fallen 83 percent to $2,170, according to the institute.

Austin described the wealth gap this way: “In 2009, for every dollar of wealth the average white household had, black households only had two cents.”

Austin thinks more black people than ever before could fall out of the middle class because the unemployment rate for college-educated blacks recently peaked and blacks are overrepresented in state and local government jobs. Those are jobs that are being eliminated because of massive budget shortfalls.

And I shall continue to find as much material on the Black middle-class as possible. As always your comments are welcome!

Christmas Trees for sale at Williams Hydro-Plants

Worlee did a great job on an article about Charles and Belinda Williams of Williams Hydro-Plants a short time ago.

I can personally testify to how friendly and helpful they are.  They have also become their unofficial granchildren. (see the photo of the girls with Mr. Williams),

The Williams are selling Christmas Trees starting Saturday, December 1.  They will be doing so through the evening (past their closing time of 5pm).  We encourage you to buy from them if you use real trees.

Their store is at 311 E. 79th Street Chicago, IL 60619. They will sell the Christmas Trees in their lot across the street at 79th & Prairie, also across the street from the south playground of Ruggles elementary school. Their phone number is (773) 651-3426, so can call ahead and schedule your pickup.

Also, if you have other needs, please contact them.  They can have items such as salt and snow melt ready for you out there as well.

Let them know JP Paulus (dad of Mia and Faith) sent you. It won't result in any discount. But it would be great to know connections have been made.

West Chesterfield December Community Meeting

From West Chesterfield Community Association

Hello All,

West Chesterfield welcomes Ms. Patricia Walsh 5th District Chicago Police Commander and Ronnie Watson Illinois State Police Chief Chicago State University to our WCCA  10am Saturday Meeting at our Cultural Center at 9351 S Michigan.

The 5^th District Commander is invited because the WCCA is now in the 9^th Ward and some residents would like to understand the workings of our neighboring police district in the 9th ward.

The 6th District may send a representative to this meeting, due to scheduling and timing conflicts.

All are welcome to attend, space is limited.

Topics of interest include:

·        Police careers and apprenticeships for youth

·        Overview of troubled areas the 6^th District Police.

·        Gang signs and crime to be aware of.

·        Safety tips for the community during the winter.

·        Beat Officers.

·        C.A.P.S. Meetings future  (Dismantling Announcement.)

·        Special Service Area/Community Policing.

·        Working with problem businesses.

·        Guns being titled like cars.

·        Illegal sign postings on city property.

· Working with the CSU State Police and the Chicago Police Department

---

Ms. Patricia Walsh 5th District Commander Chicago Police Department

727 East 111th Street Chicago, IL 60628

Mr. Ronnie Watson  State Police Chief  Chicago State University
9500 S King Drive, Chicago, IL 60619                                                                   

---

For your Information: Common Sense Gun Legislation Petition

http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-for-common-sense-gun-legislation

---

This is an informational nonconfrontional meeting. 

OK, so who is this Dan Ryan anyway?

View Larger Map

One of our local expressways (other than the Bishop Ford/Calumet) is the Dan Ryan Expressway, basically the route that the Red Line south take. That is the route that is often referred as the Dan Ryan line for you old timers (i.e. Howard-Dan Ryan) at least those who remember the route names from before CTA assigned their L routes colors.

Here's a history lesson from WBEZ's John Schmidt:

He was born Daniel Ryan Jr. in 1894. Daniel Ryan Sr. was a Democrat office-holder who followed the Chicago political tradition of naming his son after himself. The elder Ryan eventually became President of the Cook County Board. Dan Ryan Woods, at 87th Street and Western Avenue, is named after him.

Our Dan Ryan grew up on the South Side. He served in the Navy during World War I, then earned a law degree from Chicago-Kent. When Dan Ryan Sr. died in 1923, Democrat leaders followed another local tradition. They appointed his son to the vacancy on the County Board.

After finishing out his father’s term, Young Dan ran the family insurance business for a while. In 1930 he became a candidate for the County Board in his own right, and was elected. He stayed on the Board for the rest of his life.

Dan Ryan was a Democrat Machine politician, with all that implies. He formed alliances with various factions and gradually built up his power base. As early as 1933, when Anton Cermak was killed, Ryan was in the running to be slated as Mayor of Chicago, but was passed over. His fondest ambition was to become Governor of Illinois. He never made that office, either.

“He lacked the ruthless ambition to reach the top,” one writer said. “He sat in on all the inner-circle meetings, but usually more as a spectator than a manipulator.” And yet, he got things done. Ryan was a big, bluff, hearty man who had few enemies. Republicans were still a factor in local politics, and he got along famously with them.

In 1954 he matched his father by being elected County Board President. County government was politically-infested then–just as it had been in the past, just as it is today. But Ryan kept things in line. During his tenure, there were no major scandals.

Sometimes he rose above politics. When University of Illinois trustees wanted to take over a big chunk of the forest preserve, Ryan stopped them cold. At another Board meeting, a scientist requested money to buy cages for research dogs. Ryan was a dog lover. His response was: “The only use we could make of such cages is to put research scientists in them.”

On a related note, we looked at who Bishop Ford was too a few years back and it even got noticed by Chicago Tonight.

State Sen. Trotter wants to represent the 2nd Congressional District

It should be noted in the jockeying to succeed I never mentioned state senator Donne Trotter. He just won re-election to his seat although with very little difficulty as he was unopposed. He did make a run for higher office in 2000 seeking to take Bobby Rush's seat and running against a young Barack Obama. We see that Ed McClelland at Ward Room is reminiscing about meeting with Sen. Trotter over 12 years ago.

Also CapFax talks about Trotter, he notes that he already have suburban Democratic committeemen (referring specifically to the committeeman of Thornton Township) behind him already. Rich Miller also notes that: "If he can raise the money, Trotter could very well be the one to beat.

From Greg Hinz he mostly talks about who's out of the race. One of the candidates who stepped out was 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns. Toni Preckwinkle commissioned a poll and it wasn't looking good for him according to this piece. Time will tell who else will want out!
 
Back to Ward Room, Ed McClelland handicaps the race and even includes the names of those who are out such as former County Board Prez, Todd Stroger. He already said he was out and then also there's Ald. Will Burns.

BTW, missed this old article but it fits. I wrote about the Red Line extension recently to 130th St and Debbie Halvorson has even made a statement in support of this extension perhaps this needs to be an issue to be brought up in this race:

Also talking transportation earlier in the day was former Congresswoman Deb Halvorson. She focused on a project Mayor Emanuel strongly supports.

"We're right here at 95th St. The extension of the Red Line. We need to right away make sure that is extended. It needs to go to at least the city limits, 130th Street," Halvorson said.

Perhaps other potential candidates should follow suit! Especially Ald. Beale because the extension will affect his 9th Ward.

BTW, have any stories to share about the future special election for Jesse Jackson Jr's House seat feel free to share in the comments, send a tweet or even post to our FB page.

YOU helped a local couple in their adoption process!

We wrote about John and Nicole Anthony on October 10 regarding the adoption resources contest they were a part of. We encouraged you, our readers, to vote for them via Facebook.  They won that contest, thanks in part to your help!

Nicole and John Anthony of Chatham with their 3-year-old Golden Doodle Maestro, whom they adopted from a friend in Washington who was breeding and selling puppies to fund an in-vitro fertilization procedure. The Anthonys considered in-vitro fertilization before deciding on adoption, which they say is less expensive and more reliable option.



(photo by DNAinfo/Lizzie Schiffman)



Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20121127/chatham/community-rallies-facebook-contest-support-couples-dream-of-adoption##ixzz2De1sldcq

Lizzie Schiffman of DNAinfo.com interviewed me (JP Paulus) to talk about how the blog impacted voting. She did a great job withthe story.

You can find the article here, entitled "Facebook Contest Helps Couple Get Closer to Dream of Adoption "

Congratulations to the Anthonys on winning and helping their next steps to building their family!   And thanks to Lizzie and DNAinfo for the write-up. We will post more on them in the future, as they report on our neighborhoods!

What's new in the 2nd congressional district

Well, we already should've known about this. Mel Reynolds was already interested in regaining his old Congressional seat. You can read the Greg Hinz report here. It seems Reynolds held himself up well during the course of his announcement. Courtesy of Ward Room you can even watch some video of Reynolds' announcement.

BTW, Capitol Fax used Reynolds entrance into the race to succeed Jesse Jackson Jr. for the 2nd Congressional District as the basis for a humorous question of the day. Snark was encouraged to provide Reynold's campaign slogan. :P

Back to Jesse Jackson Jr., you should've seen a link to this Sun-Times story in the aforementioned Capitol Fax posting. The former Congressman was tipped off about a potential investigation into his campaign finances before he took a medical leave from the House of Representatives back in June.

Ward Room has been all over this story posting very frequently. So here's an updated listing of who's in and out of the race. We know Jackson can still get his pension as so far he hasn't yet been convicted of a felony. Also another point to be made here, a suburbanite could gain this seat.

BTW, it's amazing that it's just as much news that Jackson's resignation letter was also read in the House of Representatives. Video below is courtesy of ABC 7 with this write-up which also indicated that his brother Jonathan is considering a run! [VIDEO]

Tribune: South Side leaders push for Red Line extension

This article was in the Tribune recently:

Community leaders on Chicago's South Side on Monday questioned the commitment of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the CTA to extend the Red Line to 130th Street, complaining that the long-sought rail project may be suffering unnecessary delays as the transit agency moves quickly to spend hundreds of millions on other improvements.

Among the key concerns is the CTA linking the Red Line extension to its overall modernization plans for the entire line, which is the agency's longest and busiest rail route.

"The Red Line extension could be moving faster, and we want to make sure it is not put on the back burner,'' said Gwendolyn Rice, executive director of the Developing Communities Project. "Work on one project should not preclude work on the other.''

CTA President Forrest Claypool has said it makes no sense to extend the Red Line without also enhancing the line elsewhere by eliminating slow zones caused by deteriorated track and updating stations and electrical power along the route so trains can circulate more quickly between the North and South sides.

Emanuel made the Red Line extension, estimated to cost at least $1.5 billion, his No. 1 transportation priority when he campaigned for mayor.

CTA officials say the extension remains a top priority. But the agency has not established a timeline for building the 5.3 miles of new track, new stations at 103rd, 111th, 115th and 130th streets, and park-and-ride facilities.

The project schedule will depend on review and approval of the project by the Federal Transit Administration and funding availability, CTA officials said.

Read the whole thing! Via Chicago-L.org!

Greg Hinz: Who's in, who's out in race for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat in Congress?

US Capitol Washington, DC

A flurry of names are coming out in the special election to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. who resigned last week. A special election has been called with a primary in February next year and then a general in March next year.

We've been hearing some names since Jackson's resignation such as Todd Stroger but he quickly took his name out of contention. Well now people are looking at the money in his campaign accounts!

Debbie Halvorson who is a former member of Congress has put her hat into the ring as well. She ran against Jackson in the primary earlier this year and needless to say she wasn't able to win that one.

Another interesting possibility is 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale. He has only gone so far as to form a political committee for that purpose. Beale is considered to be in the Jackson circle so who knows how that could work out in a congressional race.

There is an irony here. Jackson himself took the seat in 1995 in a special election when he replaced Mel Reynolds after he had been embroiled in a sex scandal and was ultimately sent to prison for sexual assault and bank fraud. Reynolds who attempted to regain his seat in 2004 is also throwing his name into this election.

BTW, there is a "fear" that a Republican could potentially win this seat although it's certain that this potential Republican could only last one term. Time will tell what will happen in this coming election.

Personal attacks are greatly discouraged!

Recently a comment was posted to this blog that could be interpreted as a personal attack. I understand that in some closeknit communities feuds can run deep. Personal attacks are not expressly prohibited but whether they are published or remain published are up to the discretion of the moderators.

We do not seek to be a hub for speculating on anyone's personal affairs whether they be a citizen who just have a leadership role in the community or even a politician. In future if anyone's personal business is posted to this blog expect that comment to be deleted.

AGAIN we are not a hub for speculating on anyone's personal affairs whether they be a citizen who just have a leadership role in the community or even a politicians. We seek to stay above that fray and I hope that you would consider other venues to post negative comments such as the one that had been posted to this blog over the weekend. For that activity this is NOT the place.

Thanks in advance.

2 shot at gang funeral: 'This is crazy'

This shooting is more disturbing than most as it happened during a funeral, near a church. The presiding minister for the funeral was Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church. He is the pastor who made national news by camping out on the roof of an abandoned motel, and was abel to purchase and demolish it through that campaign.

The following is from the Chicago Tribune's news blog: Chicago Breaking News.

2 shot at gang funeral: 'This is crazy'

Experiencing Chatham: Neighborhood Tour Program

For the first time, a guest post by Jill Farley, Manager of Digitial Iniatives at the Chicago Architecture Foundation

 

On Friday November 2, I had the privilege of exploring the Chatham neighborhood through the eyes and voices of some of its most passionate advocates. A new tour has been developed as part of a program entitled Neighborhood Voices and is a collaboration between the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the residents, leaders and community members of Chatham. One of these two-hour bus tours kicked off on Friday morning at Mather’s More Than A Cafe, as thirty-five tour-takers from all over the city settled onto a comfortable coach bus ready to experience the architecture and history of the area.

The microphone was passed between four docents for different segments of the tour. These docents—women who are residents of Chatham or have close ties to the community—spent 15 weeks developing the tour and training with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to bring the tour program to life in Chatham.

From the first minute, I could tell the next two hours would be rich with history, personal stories, architecture and humor. Docent Jan Mason kicked off her narrative by telling us that the neighborhood was originally known as “Mud Lake” and “Hog Swamp” by the area’s original farming residents. Before long, she was deep into the story of how Chatham evolved into the “heart of middle-class African Americans” in Chicago. Overall, the tour had four themes woven throughout: Housing, Politics, Culture, Business. 

The story of the bungalow dominated much of the early part of the tour, and served as the foundation for discussion on the history of the neighborhood and its residents. Homes of well-known African American residents such as Roland Burris (former home of Mahalia Jackson), Dempsey Travis, Thomas Dorsey and Cheryl Burton were spotlighted.

As we cruised along the area’s main commercial corridors, the docents introduced us to many of Chatham’s first and most successful African American owned businesses such as Johnson Products, Independence Bank (now Urban Partnership Bank) and Seaway National Bank. When we passed the corner of 79th and Lawrence, tour-takers craned to see one of these icons—the “spaceship-looking” Pride Cleaners built in 1959 with its hyperbolic roof, glass walls and unforgettable 60’s style sign. The tour also showcased some interesting contrasts, notably the stunning terra cotta buildings in Chatham’s landmarked commercial district juxtaposed with the area’s newest commercial area of Chatham Village Square.

My favorite part of the tour was when the bus took a left turn off of 87th and rolled into the sub-division of Marynook, pocketed in the Avalon Park neighborhood. For five minutes as we wound around the curved suburban-style streets, discussed the 1950’s homes and marveled at the well-manicured lawns, the city couldn’t feel further away.

The tour brought it home with a journey along Michigan Avenue north of 87th street to explore one of the community’s first successful large subsidized housing areas. The homes defy common perception of subsidized housing with their cottage-style charm and impeccable upkeep. The final stop on the tour was the famed 7900-square-foot “Blue Mansion”, modeled after the White House.

This is only a snippet of the stories and sites revealed on the tour.  It’s impossible to convey the true pride the docents and partners feel for the Chatham community, and the tour is a great outlet for better understanding the area, its history, its assets and its residents—past and present. For more information on this tour and the Neighborhood Voices program, go to www.architecture.org/neighborhoodvoices. 

If you are interested in the tour, contact Krisann Rehbein at the Chicago Architecture Foundation: krehbein @ architecture.org.

Dixon School

Primary partner is the Chatham Business Association with additional cooperation from Mather’s and the Chatham Avalon park Community Council.

Ward Room: Open Up The Primaries

Could this be another idea who's time has come? Just like the idea to reduce the number of Chicago City Council wards?

A lot of us have ideas on both, which is why it would be a good idea to end the tradition of partisan primaries, and give voters a ballot listing all candidates, from all parties. You could still only vote for one candidate per office, and thus for one party per office, but no one would know whether you’d vote Democrat or Republican.

The parties wouldn’t like it, because they wouldn’t be able to identify “their” voters, but it might produce general election candidates who are closer to the center than the ones we get now. Suppose a Chicagoan likes a Republican candidate for governor. He’s going to be reluctant to vote in the Republican primary, because in Chicago, every minor office -- state representative, state senator, county board member, circuit court judge, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner -- is determined in the Democratic primary. So he’ll be missing out on the opportunity to choose most of his representatives just so he can vote for one Republican. But if this crossover voter does vote Republican, he’ll probably choose a more liberal candidate than a dyed-in-the-wool Republican from Cerro Gordo or Effingham would. He probably won’t choose a Tea Partier. Which would allow the Republicans to avoid nominating Bill Brady again, their biggest fear for 2014.

California adopted a similar system this year. The “top two” primary puts every candidate on a single ballot. The two biggest vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election. (This resulted in one of the nastiest congressional elections of the year, between Rep. Brad Sherman and Rep. Howard Berman, two incumbents drawn into the same district. Since they agreed on everything politically, they spent the campaign attacking each other personally. During one debate, they were separated by a police officer.) This would be an enormous change to Chicago politics, extending by seven-and-a-half months elections that usually end in March. That may be too much politics even for Chicagoans to endure, but as I laid out above, there are easier ways to open up the primaries.

Alright! I think JP Paulus has discussed his thoughts on the Democratic primary being tantamount to a general election victory here in the city. There are others who may feel that way for the most part but are open primaries the solution to that?

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. had planned to speak Wednesday — but called it off - Chicago Sun-Times

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. had planned to speak Wednesday — but called it off - Chicago Sun-Times

  The South Shore Democrat’s top aides gave conflicting reports late Tuesday on whether Jackson had planned to address his workers in a conference call and email on Wednesday, as a TV station reported.

But ultimately, they agreed it was not going to happen.

Rick Bryant, Jackson’s chief of staff, insisted Jackson had no plans to “break his silence” Wednesday.

“We’re not having a conference call tomorrow, no,” Bryant told the Chicago Sun-Times.

But Frank Watkins, Jackson’s spokesman, said his boss had planned to speak, but changed his mind.

“There was a conference call. I was informed the congressman was going to have a conference call with the staff at 10 a.m.,” Watkins said Tuesday night.

“All I know it was a conference call, and the congressman was going to speak to the staff,” he said.

But a few hours later he was told that the call was off.

“Chief of Staff ... Rick Bryant informed me the call was cancelled,” Watkins said.

 What is the deal?

Any here's some related reading. Ed McClelland at Ward Room answers the question many are wondering. In spite of Jesse Jr.'s absence how did the veteran Congressman get re-elected earlier this month?