The Chicago power couple who pled guilty to using some $750,000 in campaign money to pay for living expenses and at times a lavish lifestyle are preparing for sentencing.

In recent days, letters have been filed with the U.S. district court in Washington D.C.  Some are asking for leniency, others are asking the judge to bring down the hammer on former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr and his wife Sandi, the ex-alderman.

The two were last seen publicly in February as they entered a Washington courthouse together to accept responsibility for using campaign money to live off of; to buy furs, television sets, trips for themselves and their kids and so much more. The bills totaled around $750,000 dollars.

The latest batch of letters submitted to Judge Amy Berman Jackson, no relation to the defendants,  were on Sandi’s behalf, many of the handwritten notes were from children.

All the letters are intended for the sentencing judge to consider as Jackson Jr potentially faces 4-5 years in prison. His wife faces one to two years with the hopes of getting probation instead.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the new alderman for the 7th Ward Monday.

Emanuel introduced Natashia Lynnette Holmes at a news conference. She replaces Sandi Jackson, who resigned from City Council last month.

“I think Natashia represents a clear break from the past, and a new beginning,” Emanuel said.

Holmes received her law degree from Kent College of Law. She previously worked for Illinois Department of Transportation and The Chicago Park District. Emanuel said she also had an integral role in the 2010 Census and served as the president of her condo association.

Emanuel appointed a panel to evaluate candidates who met the qualifications and applied for Jackson’s vacated seat. More than 65 residents applied for the job, 48 met the qualifications for the position and received phone interviews, and 25 of the residents were selected for in-person interviews by the committee. After the committee’s evaluations, Emanuel then selected Holmes.

Meanwhile, federal investigators have started examining the finances of former alderman Jackson.

Authorities are questioning the legitimacy of the monthly consultant fees she received from the congressional campaign of her husband Jesse Jackson Jr.

The deadline to apply to become Chicago’s next 7th Ward alderman has been extended.

The mayor’s office had received 42 online applications by Friday but decided to extend the deadline to 5 p.m. Monday because of some technical problems with the website.

Also, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has named five people to a committee that will narrow the group of applicants and send their recommendations to Emanuel.

The screening committee members include a community activist, a church pastor and and a longtime 7th Ward resident.

The mayor plans to meet with them Monday.

Emanuel must select someone to replace Sandi Jackson, who resigned from the 7th Ward Alderman position.

Mayor Emanuel is accepting online applications for people who want to replace Alderman Sandi Jackson in the 7th Ward.

Jackson stepped down Tuesday, citing family matters.

Emanuel says he’ll name a four-person panel next week to go through candidates.

The website will be up tomorrow to accept applications.

One requirement is a record of community involvement and engagement.

Sources tell the Tribune the mayor will be cautious of appointing anyone linked to either the Jackson or Beavers families.

Cook County Commissioner William Beavers is charged with failing to pay taxes on campaign funds that he used for personal expenses.

She missed most city council meetings over the past year, so it’s not that surprising that Sandi Jackson was nowhere to be seen on her last day as alderman of Chicago’s 7th Ward.

Tonight workers and supporters gathered at her ward office where Jackson spoke to them via phone.

She’d said she was in Alabama for a family funeral.

Supporters did not share her comments tonight.

Jackson announced her resignation on Friday.  It comes after her husband, Jesse Jackson Jr resigned from congress because of treatment for bipolar disorder– and with a federal investigation hanging over him.

Sandi Jackson cited the need to take care of her family in her resignation letter.

In a text message tonight, Jackson wrote about her staff saying, “I told them how much I love and appreciate them and assured them the progress we’ve made will not end. I encouraged them to stay engaged because  there is still so much work to be done. Then I encouraged them to ask any question they wanted in order to dispel any rumors they may be hearing. It was a very robust, lively and heartwarming meeting!”