On Monday U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Cheryle Jackson announced she has won the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, veteran legislator for Illinois’ First Congressional District on Chicago’s South Side.

Her campaign has also announced endorsements from the Rev. James Meeks, who represents the 15th District State Senate District on the far South Side and south suburbs.

The moves are the first indication of where Jackson is trolling for support in her incipient bid in the Feb. 2 Democratic Primary.

In a campaign press release, Rush praised Jackson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “She understands from personal experience how important quality health care, education, and access to good jobs and opportunities are to Illinois families. She’ll take that fight to Washington.”

Curiously, the release went out Monday evening, not a prime time to make news.

And Rush’s backing could be a double-edged sword.

Rush, a senior member of the Black Congressional Caucus, has long enjoyed solid voter support in his predominantly African American district, which has deep historic roots in the black community.

Another claim to fame for the former Black Panther and 2nd Ward alderman: He is the only politician to beat Barack Obama. In 2000, Rush whipped the then-upstart State Senator from Hyde Park who dared to challenge the popular incumbent. He is known, however, to have a weak political organization, so it’s not clear how much he can help Jackson’s ground game.

Jackson could also get caught in a backlash among voters who watched Rush lobby to help Roland Burris win his appointment to the U.S. Senate in early 2009.

As Rush made his case back then: “There have been three black senators in 150 or so years,” said the veteran South Side congressman told me. “The racial deck in America has been stacked against us.”

Many, white voters in particular, were offended by his appeals to “keep the seat” in the hands of an African American. Appearing to cater to that sentiment could put Jackson in treacherous territory.

The nod from Meeks, who does double duty as pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Roseland, was no surprise. Jackson attend Salem and Meeks has been advising her for months.

Meeks knows how to draw a crowd, starting with his 20,000-member mega church. He has built a solid reputation as a leader in the Illinois Senate Black Caucus, and proven to be an astute and aggressive lobbyist for his pet cause, education funding.

Meeks’ move is a loss for Jackson’s competitor, Senate candidate and Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who has also been a Meeks ally and regular Salem visitor.

Until Jackson jumped into the race, Giannoulias had hoped to tap into his “basketball friendship” to curry black support. (African American pols and civic leaders tell me that has irked them to no end).

Illinois’ large cadre of black elected officials is Jackson’s to lose. Giannoulias has corralled only a handful of major African American supporters. Former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, who is just stepping into the box, has no obvious major black allies.

The 2010 campaign is still young and the fall leaves have not yet begun to flutter. Still, to win a statewide race, Jackson must generate energy from her base in the black community, while also luring women and progressive voters across Illinois.

In the coming months, other big-time leaves will probably land in Cheryle Jackson’s pile. Perhaps U.S. Reps Danny K. Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.?

Even so, endorsements don’t always add up to enthusiasm. Will they really work to help her win?