Ald. Jackson`s resignation may be helping her with feds
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By Jacqueline Anderson, Web Producer -
Alderman Sandi Jackson says she's resigning from the City Council in order to deal with the crisis in her family, but she's also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation.
Being the "subject" of an investigation is that's not as serious as being named a target, like her husband, but she could be hoping to improve her bargaining position with the feds by stepping down.
"She says she resigned because she wants to spend more time with her family, but everybody knows she has this cloud of the grand jury hanging over her head," Law Professor at DePaul College of Law, Len Cavise, says.
Cavise says that if Sandi Jackson is like most high-profile potential defendants. Even before being subpoenaed, she and her lawyers had a sit-down with federal prosecutors. It helps them find out just where they stand.
"They go in there and talk it over and say, ‘what can I do to keep my self from getting indicted in this situation.' And that's when the U.S. Attorney says you can do a, b,c,d,e, one of which is resign your public office," Cavise explains.
The federal investigation reportedly focuses on the misuse of Jesse Jackson Jr.'s campaign funds.
Professor Cavise says that if Sandi Jackson in recent weeks became convinced and that her actions had indeed broken the law, she may already be looking to influence a sentencing judge by showing how she did the right thing by resigning.
"'That's right. I showed my remorse immediately. The moment that I heard or the moment that I felt that I had misused the public trust, I immediately resigned from my public position because I didn't want to further take advantage of the public trust.' That makes for a great lawyers argument at sentencing," Cavise says.
There's also the possibility that Alderman Jackson's resignation might be tied--not to any plea deal on her part--but to a plea deal being negotiated by her husband.
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Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
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Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
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After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Human rights advocate Marianne Elliot wrote "Zen under Fire," a powerful memoir about her experience as a U.N. peacekeeper in war-torn Afghanistan. She also does yoga to de-stress in her everyday life.
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On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
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A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
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Carla Oglesby is accused of using fake contracts to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself and her friends, from local vendors. She was first arrested nearly three years ago.
Carla Oglesby is accused of using fake contracts to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself and her friends, from local vendors. She was first arrested nearly three years ago.
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Lawyers for Jesse Jackson Jr. assert in a court filing that the former Illinois congressman's mental health may worsen if he is given a lengthy prison sentence.
Lawyers for Jesse Jackson Jr. assert in a court filing that the former Illinois congressman's mental health may worsen if he is given a lengthy prison sentence.
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Political observers will be closely watching as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie participates in a discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago.
Political observers will be closely watching as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie participates in a discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago.
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Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
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Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
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Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
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A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
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Police are urging parents and community members to exercise caution after a man tried luring an 11-year-old girl into a car in the North Side Albany Park neighborhood.
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After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
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Nearly 9 percent of Illinois' bridges are "structurally deficient" and in need of serious maintenance or replacement -- an uptick of 1 percent from two years ago, a new report indicates.
Nearly 9 percent of Illinois' bridges are "structurally deficient" and in need of serious maintenance or replacement -- an uptick of 1 percent from two years ago, a new report indicates.
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Police on Tuesday said they are looking for a maroon Hyundai Sonata that fatally struck a woman in a Bridgeport hit-and-run last week on the South Side.
Police on Tuesday said they are looking for a maroon Hyundai Sonata that fatally struck a woman in a Bridgeport hit-and-run last week on the South Side.
