(MCT) — CHICAGO — Out of sight for months and seeking re-election in weeks, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s return to Congress by voters may be virtually assured, but a new federal investigation of the South Side Democrat has made his political and legal future even more tenuous.

The probe by the federal prosecutors in Washington into whether Jackson misused campaign funds is but the latest example of how the once-bright future of a 17-year congressman with big political aspirations greatly dimmed after his involvement with imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich four years ago.