Colleagues urge Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to provide an update on his health problems

FILE In this Oct. 16, 2011 file photo, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., D-Ill., is seen during the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington.

/ Charles Dharapak

(CBS News) Colleagues are publicly calling for Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., to provide more details into an illness that has forced inpatient treatment and a leave of absence from Congress.

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters Tuesday that he hopes Jackson "is able to return in a short time," but says that elected officials have a duty to be open with voters.

"I think that we all have a responsibility to report to our constituents," Hoyer said.

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., echoed similar statements, noting that he has no inside information on Jackson's ailment or condition.

"As a public official, though, there reaches a point where you have a responsibility to tell people what you're facing and how things are going," WBBM newsradio in Chicago reported. "If there is some medical necessity for him not saying more at this moment, then I will defer to that, but he will soon have to make a report on what he's struggling with - the physical condition he's struggling with," Durbin said.

Jackson has been on leave since June 10, and his office said last week that he is being treated for "physical and emotional ailments" and that his condition is "more serious" than thought, failing to indicate when Jackson might return to work.

Both Hoyer and Durbin noted that another Illinois elected official on leave, Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who is recovering from a stroke he suffered in January, has appropriately handled communicating with his constituents about his health issues.

"I thought Senator Kirk's video talking about his rehabilitation answered hundreds of questions that I was facing, and - I think to the satisfaction of Illinois voters - told them what his current situation is and what his hopes are about recovery," Durbin said on WBBM.

[realtimecoffee]

From the Chicago Tribune:
"The time is right when Congressman Jackson has an evaluation of what his situation is and I'm sure then he will share it with his constituents, " Pelosi said at a separate news conference today.
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If I'm reading that right they may not even know what the problem is yet. I disasgree with him on most everything, but I wish him a speedy recovery.

[nohater]

if he is not able to perform his job, he should be removed especially if he is not forthcoming about what is preventing him from doing his job. if he is being secretive about himself imagine what other secrets he has as an elected official.

[smittyc]

Everybody knows whats up.

[Moveon_Misfits]

It has to be something embarrassing that he doesn't want to reveal.
Drug abuse, AIDS?

[maryclare62]

remember Mr Stroger, Senior? If he is doing inpatient mental health treatment, good for him! How about just being straight with us? (what a novel idea....)

[cmwinter1]

It is Chicago...what do you expect?

[credibility2]

While Jackson represents a district in Chicago, any member of Congress technically represents all of us, since their voting usually impacts all of us. Jackson needs to give a full accountability to his employer, the taxpayers. I live in the area and it's becoming ridiculous all of the rumors surfacing. I feel he's in hiding and cowardly with potential charges pending for his having tried to raise money to buy for himself the vacant spot for U.S. Senator Obama held. Jackson was known to be actively soliciting the money, but yet nothing has happened to him. Yet, former Governor Blagojevich gets indicted for essentially shooting off his big fat mouth. What's wrong with this picture?