Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed wrote today that Congressman Bobby Rush is being urged to resign because of health issues.

Congressman Bobby Rush says he’s planning to run.

Regardless, it prompted a lot of speculation as to who would replace him if he did resign from office. One of the names Sneed mentioned as a possible replacement was Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, who has her own response to the column.

I talked with a number of Democratic strategists around Chicago today about the column and what they’ve heard behind the scenes about Rush’s health. Most said everyone should take Rush at his word that he’ll be back in June and keep up his run for re-election.

As to what the process would be like for choosing a replacement for Rush, Democratic consultant Eric Adelstein said, “Every elected official who lives in that district, and probably a few who live outside of it, would have to take a serious look at it. I don’t think anyone starts out as a prohibitive favorite. I think you’d have a pretty good free-for-all if it came to that.”