To help defray the costs of his expensive medical bills connected to his bipolar disorder, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. put his Washington, D.C. townhouse on the market.
While Jackson’s aides have given no indication of whether the congressman intends to step down, Jackson has been unable to campaign for his Nov. 6 re-election since he began receiving treatment over the last three months. He has been on a leave of absence from Congress and has been treated at a facility in Arizona and at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, which he recently left.
The house went on the market a week ago with an asking price of $2.5 million. According to the listing, the home was built in 1921 and has four bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths, five fireplaces, a gourmet kitchen, a sunroom and a rooftop deck with a Jacuzzi.
The listing notes say that the sellers “need to find a home of choice.”
In a statement, Jackson chief of staff Rick Bryant said the congressman’s health care expenses contributed to the decision by the representative and his wife, Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, to sell the home.
“Like millions of Americans, Congressman Jackson and Mrs. Jackson are grappling with soaring health care costs and are selling their residence to help defray costs of their obligations,” the statement read. “The congressman would like to personally thank everyone who has offered prayers on behalf of his family.”
Jackson aides could not say how much, if any, of the expenses are covered under his health insurance plan.
The listing shows the home was purchased for $575,000 in 1998 and has 2,936 square feet of living area. It shows its assessed value in 2011 was $1.29 million, and its tax bill that year was $10,999.
According to election officials in Illinois, if a candidate drops out before Oct. 23 — 15 days before the election — county Democratic leaders get to name a replacement on the ballot. After that, Jackson’s name would remain on the ballot—though some ballots, including those to be mailed to overseas and military voters, already have been printed.
