Politics

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.

A southern Illinois priest is being ousted for improvising part of his services.

Bishop Edward Braxton of the Belleville Diocese has told the Rev. Bill Rowe he's now considered retired and must leave the rectory at St. Mary Parish in Mount Carmel on July 10.

Rowe's long-stated practice of changing portions of the liturgy to make them easier to understand didn't become public until February. That came after church leaders in Rome revamped the liturgy to be based on earlier Latin versions.

Jim Hughes, Winnebago County Director of Development Services, has announced that he plans to run mayor of Rockford.

A former Rockford alderman and Winnebago County Board member, the self-described “Zeke Giorgi Democrat” filed as a candidate for State Senate in the 34th District last fall but withdrew when his petitions were challenged. He also has been a Rockford mayoral candidate before.

Hughes plans to announce his candidacy officially at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St.

The Illinois-based Campaign for Better Health Care reports that  63% of small business owners said they want the Affordable Care Act kept intact. The figure grows to 68% when respondents learn more details about what's contained in the law. Only 22% of respondents said they want the law overturned.