Jesse Jackson Jr. Back To Work In September 'God Willing,' Wife Tells Newspaper

Hospitalized Illinois politician Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. will hopefully return to work by Sept. 1, and will "absolutely" be back in the game in time to campaign for reelection, his wife says.

Sandi Jackson, who serves as alderman of Chicago's 7th Ward, put to rest rumors that the ailing Congressman would give up his seat in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. Jackson, who also manages her husband's campaign, said a robust reelection campaign is already underway, and that she's confident Jesse Jackson Jr. will lead the effort "vigorously" once "all the testing is done."

After Jackson Jr.'s prolonged, unexplained absence prompted speculation he was combating substance abuse problems, the Democratic representative's camp released a statement attributing his leave to a "mood disorder."

Later, his mother identified his disorder as depression, stemming in part from "disappointment" over shortcomings his career.

Earlier this week, Sandi Jackson described her husband's depression before entering treatment as "debilitating", and detailed his physical collapse in their home on June 10 as the precursor to his hospitalization and subsequent mental health care.

Jackson's medical leave coincides with an ethics investigation into claims that Jackson was involved in discussions about raising money for Blagojevich's campaign in exchange President Barack Obama's former Senate seat, which has raised some suspicions over the timing of Jackson's absence.

Jackson has not been charged and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.