Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., the embattled Democrat from Illinois who has been on medical leave from Capitol Hill for months undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder, resigned from the House of Representatives Wednesday.
Aides to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said they had received a letter of resignation from Jackson Jr.
The news was first reported by ABC News' Chicago station WLS and two Chicago newspapers.
"For seventeen years I have given 100 percent of my time, energy and life to public service. However, over the past several months, as my health has deteriorated, my ability to serve the constituents of my district has continued to diminish," the letter reads. "Against the recommendations of my doctors, I had hoped and tried to return to Washington and continue working on the issues that matter most to the people of the Second District. I know now that will not be possible."
Jackson has faced a slew of problems in recent months, most recently a probe by federal investigators into his finances. The federal probe was trying to get to the bottom of "suspicious activity" connected to Jackson's House seat and potentially inappropriate expenditures.
Charles Dharapak/AP Photo
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There are no developments expected in the ongoing investigation and plea negotiations in the near term, according to federal officials familiar with the investigation. Jackson has been in talks with the Justice Department about a possible deal regarding allegations of campaign finance violations.
Part of the investigation's focus is on whether Jackson improperly used campaign funds for personal purchases, including furnishings for his Washington, D.C., home. Investigators are also looking at allegations that Jackson bought a female friend a $40,000 Rolex watch. The investigation is being run by the FBI's Washington Field Office.
Jackson's problems began in June when the son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson suddenly left Congress. His office said he was seeking treatment for "exhaustion."
Two weeks later, his office noted that his condition was "more serious" than initially thought.
Jackson, whose district includes a large portion of Chicago's South Side and southeast suburbs, then spent some time at a treatment facility in Arizona before later moving to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Finally, in August, the clinic said Jackson was being treated for bipolar disorder, "responding well" and "regaining his strength."
In early September, Jackson returned home to his family in the nation's capital. A source told ABC News that day that Jackson "sounded good." However, despite the Congressional summer recess ending a week later, Jackson did not return to work.
Jackson has missed 230 votes in the House this year. He last voted on June 8.
Despite all his troubles, Jackson still managed to win re-election in a landslide earlier this month. But now, he will leave Congress shrouded by personal problems and professional probes.
According to state law, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will declare Jackson's seat vacant once the congressman gives official notice of his resignation, and there will be a special election to fill the seat.
One Chicago-based Democratic strategist told ABC News he expects to see a real "food fight" for this heavily Democratic seat.
The list of possible Democratic candidates for the seat includes State Sen. Napoleon Harris, a former NFL linebacker; Will Burns, Alderman of the Fourth Ward; Robin Kelly, former State Rep. and 2010 candidate for State Treasurer; and State Sen. Toi Hutchinson.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi met with Jackson and his father today.
Jesse Jackson Jr. to Resign From Congress
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Jesse Jackson Jr. to Resign From Congress
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Jesse Jackson Jr. to Resign From Congress
