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Rep. Jackson off on medical leave

Few details are being provided about the unexpected medical leave of absence that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Chicago, began on June 10.

The three-sentence statement says Jackson went on medical leave just over two weeks ago. It says Jackson "asks that you respect his family's privacy."

A spokesman says the congressman is being treated for exhaustion. He had no further comment. Jackson's district offices remain open.

Just last week Jackson fundraiser and family friend Raghu Nayak, a central figure in the trial of ex-governor Rod Blagojevich, was arrested by federal authorities.

Prosecutors say Nayak promised to raise millions of dollars for Blagojevich in return for appointing Jackson  to the U.S. Senate seat vacated when Barack Obama became President.

Jackson has denied any knowledge of the scheme, but the issue remains part of an investigation by the U-S House Ethics panel.

This past March, Jackson faced a bruising primary challenge but won with more than 70 percent of the vote. He faces Republican Brian Woodworth and Independent Marcus Lewis in the November general election.

In the November election, he'll face Republican Brian Woodworth and independent candidate Marcus Lewis.

Since Jackson went on leave, he's missed more than 30 votes in the U.S. House.