Rep. Jackson Says Illinois Governor Sought Donations in 2002

CHICAGO, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) told federal investigators in Chicago that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) asked for a $25,000 campaign contribution during Blagojevich's 2002 run for governor and may have exacted retribution after he did not receive the money, a source close to Jackson said Tuesday.

The allegation surfaced as a special investigative committee of the Illinois House of Representatives began considering impeachment proceedings against Blagojevich and laid out procedures for reviewing charges against him.

Jackson, who has served in the U.S. House for 13 years, did not make the requested contribution, the source said. After Blagojevich won, Jackson's wife, Sandi Jackson, sought appointment as director of the Illinois state lottery director but failed to get the job.

Later, when Blagojevich and the congressman met at a function in Washington, D.C., according to the source, the governor referred to the campaign request, saying roughly this: "Well, I guess you wish you'd given me that $25,000 now."

Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds said the Chicago congressman "has shared information with the U.S. attorney's office about public corruption in the state during the past several years."

Some of the information offered by Jackson was connected with Blagojevich and Illinois state government and some was not, Edmonds said. He said Jackson was not acting as an informant in a particular case.

In the state capital of Springfield, meanwhile, the head of the 21-member investigative committee, Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D), described the panel's procedures as akin to a grand jury process.

The committee delayed hearing witnesses or evidence until Wednesday, when defense attorney Edward Genson is scheduled to appear on Blagojevich's behalf.

The formation of the committee, made up of 12 Democrats and nine Republicans, was approved by the House in a unanimous vote Monday evening. The panel is to decide whether to recommend impeachment to the full House. Members are committed to working every day until they finish their work, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Blagojevich has not commented publicly on the charges against him, but Genson said he has done nothing wrong and does not intend to resign.

"We're going to fight this case," the defense attorney told reporters.

The House decided to form the panel after federal authorities charged Blagojevich last week with corruption. Among the allegations made by prosecutors was that the governor attempted to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.