Jesse Jackson Jr. Treated for "More Serious" Ailments

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who has been on medical leave since last month, will need “extended” in-patient treatment according to a statement his office released Thursday, Politico reports.

The Illinois Democrat's medical condition “is more serious than we thought and initially believed,” his staff wrote. Jackson went on leave on June 25 to undergo treatment for exhaustion.

It's been a tough spring for Jackson, who's currently facing a House Ethics Committee probe into accusations that he made an improper bid for President Obama's vacated Senate seat in 2008,  the Associated Press reports. He allegedly discussed plans to fundraise for former Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich's campaign in exchange for a promotion. Jackson is also under fire for an incident when he asked one of his fundraisers to buy plane tickets for a woman described as the representative's "social acquaintance."

The statement from Jackson’s staff did not offer details about the lawmaker's illness, his location, or when he might resume his congressional duties. “Recently, we have been made aware that he has grappled with certain physical and emotional ailments privately for a long period of time,” noted the vague explanation.

The Democratic primary election in Jackson's Chicago district earlier this year was hotly contested. The veteran representative, who's been in the House since 1995, just narrowly beat out his opponent for renomination. He is the favorite to win in November, but it's unclear how his medical condition will impact the race.