May 22, 2013
Residents of one Chicago-area district have seen three congressmen leave office in an ethical cloud.
That includes Harvard-educated Rhodes Scholar Mel Reynolds, who was convicted of having sex with an underage campaign worker. It also includes former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who recently pleaded guilty to illegally spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal use.
Whether it's Chicago corruption at its worst or simply uncanny coincidence, residents in Illinois' 2nd District haven't elected a representative to Congress without serious ethical or legal trouble troubles in more than three decades.
That anxiety swirls around candidates and grips voters as Tuesday's special primary to replace Jackson nears.
The candidates include former Congressman Debbie Halvorson, former state Rep. Robin Kelly and Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
