Chicago Hosts Memorial Events to Celebrate Rev. Jesse Jackson

Chicago has become the center of national remembrance this week, as the memorial events honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. take place in the city. These gatherings reflect Jackson’s wide influence and the deep affection his supporters had for him around the world.

Jackson passed away on February 17 at 84. This was after facing complications from Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. He was a significant figure in the American civil rights movement.

He ran for president twice and founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. His death has had a profound impact beyond Chicago’s South Side, where he lived and worked for over fifty years.

A City Honors One of Its Own

According to reports, the memorial services started Thursday at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in the Kenwood neighborhood. Jackson’s casket was brought in procession from a local funeral home. Members of the public were invited to pay their respects as he lay in repose until Friday.

Lines of Chicagoans formed outside the headquarters, with many pausing silently or offering prayers.

Officials opened the doors to the public at 10 a.m. local time each day, allowing community members, activists, and admirers to take part in the tribute. The site has turned into a living memorial, with flowers, handwritten messages, and photographs piling up near the entrance.

In addition to events in Chicago, memorial services for Jackson will also take place in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, his birthplace. This is to show his national impact.

Also, a public celebration of Jackson’s life is set for March 6 at the 10,000-seat House of Hope church on Chicago’s South Side. This is followed by private “homegoing” services the next day at Rainbow PUSH headquarters.

Personal Tributes and Public Reflection

Faith leaders, civil rights veterans, and family members have shared personal stories and reflections on Jackson’s influence during these early gatherings. A Saturday morning forum at the coalition’s Kenwood auditorium brought together clergy from across Chicago, who spoke about Jackson’s role in shaping their activism and encouraging community empowerment.

“I still have life in me because I have hope,” said Deborah Cosey-Lane, one attendee who credited Jackson with inspiring her work in labor advocacy. “That hope was instilled because the reverend kept pouring it in,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Rev. Michael Eaddy of the People’s Church of the Harvest called Jackson “my hero … my mentor,” and urged attendees to continue the fight for justice and equity that defined his life’s work.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Inclusion

Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a protege of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He helped lead major civil rights campaigns, including voting rights marches and economic justice initiatives.

His presidential bids in 1984 and 1988 energized the “Rainbow Coalition,” uniting diverse groups from labor unions to minority communities.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker praised Jackson as “a giant” in the civil rights struggle. Flags across multiple U.S. states were flown at half-staff in his honor. Tributes have come in from political leaders, civil rights organizations, and ordinary citizens.

An Unsettling Washington Decision

While memorials continue in Chicago and beyond, House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request to have Jackson lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. He cited tradition over political considerations, according to congressional officials.

This decision faced criticism from civil rights advocates. They viewed it as a missed opportunity to recognize Jackson’s national contributions.

Despite this setback, Jackson’s family emphasized that the homegoing services, open to all, aim to honor his lifelong message of unity and justice. “Do not bring your politics,” his son, Jesse Jackson Jr., said at a recent public event in Chicago. “Come respectful and come to say thank you.”

Looking Ahead

As the city hosts memorial events, many Chicago residents see this moment as both a farewell and a call to action. “He gave his life to helping people and serving people,” said Demetrice Pearson, a local community leader. “We’ll keep hope alive by serving our community and working for justice.”

Jackson’s memorial in Chicago reinforces the city’s role as a center of civil rights activism, a fitting tribute to one of its most cherished voices.