MUNSTER, Ind. - U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. - who talked Monday with Gov. Rod Blagojevich about Jackson's possible appointment to President-elect Barack Obama's open Senate seat - said he was "shocked" by Blagojevich's arrest Tuesday morning on federal corruption charges.

Jackson's spokesman, Rick Bryant, said Jackson was unaware before today of any investigation into Blagojevich. Federal authorities did not contact Jackson's office about the investigation, Bryant said. Jackson left Monday's meeting with Blagojevich feeling that the process not corrupted, Bryant said.

Blagojevich was arrested at his Chicago home this morning. He faces charges he tried to profit from his responsibility for filling Obama's open seat, among other accusations of corruption.

Bryant would not comment on whether Jackson had any reason to believe he is any of several unnamed officials mentioned in the complaint.

Jackson said in a statement that the allegations, if they prove true, are "appalling."

"Sadly, today's criminal complaint casts another dark, wide cloud over the state. The people of Illinois deserve better," Jackson said in the statement.

Jackson said in the statement he made his case for the Senate seat Monday.

"I shared with the governor my hopes and unique qualifications for succeeding President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate," Jackson said in the statement.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Tuesday the Illinois legislature should order a special election to fill Obama's vacant Senate seat rather than allow Blagojevich to pick a new senator.