Ald. Sandi Jackson (of Chicago’s 7th Ward) submitted a letter of resignation Jan. 11, saying it is hard for her to balance the roles of politician, wife and mother, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Jackson is the wife of embattled former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who is battling bipolar disorder and who resigned last November amid a federal investigation of his campaign finances.
The Chicago Tribune noted that in her resignation letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Sandi Jackson stated she was dealing with “very painful family health matters,” not mentioning if she had become snared in his legal problems.
In February 2007, Sandi was elected alderman after defeating Darcel Beavers, the daughter of Cook County Commissioner William Beavers. The resignation takes effect Jan. 15; it will be Emanuel’s first new City Council appointment since his election in 2011.