We have an answer: Christian Mitchell: Developing story from @jeremygorner.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/01/g...

Read the full story from longtime Chicago and DC-investigative reporters Chuck Neubauer and Sandy Bergo here in the @chicagotribune.com 10/10: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/18/j...

“Voters have a right to know that members of Congress are good stewards of taxpayers’ funds and are complying with all the rules.” 9/10

And ethics experts still are raising questions. One said Jackson may have gotten the “green light, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t violate the rule.” Another said the rules are “very specific; you can’t spend money on anyone with whom you have this business relationship.” 8/10

But the rule doesn't distinguish b'twn past and current business relationships. Here's the wording: “The Lessor and Lessee certify that the parties are not relatives nor have had, or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant).” 7/10

The spokesman said the situation was discussed with the House Committee on Ethics and the House’s chief administrative officer and that “approval was granted based on compliance with guidelines.” 6/10

While a Jackson spokesman acknowledged the long-standing business relationship, he said Jackson has not violated House rules because he and Higginbottom have not had any new business ventures or other “financial interdependence since congressman Jackson took office.” 5/10

They also require the leases to be at market rate. But Jackson is paying more than twice what the previous tenant, another politician, former Ald. Sophia King, paid to rent the same space and way more per square foot than the other tenant, another politician. 4/10

Specifically, the House rules — put in place to prevent the misuse of taxpayer funds for district office rentals — typically ban members of Congress from leasing from anyone with whom they have or had a professional, legal, or family relationship. 3/10