Rev. Jesse Jackson funeral services, celebration of life continue Friday at Rainbow PUSH headquarters

The celebration of life for Reverend Jesse Jackson continues with another visitation on Friday at Rainbow PUSH Headquarters.

Mourners began lining up early Friday morning to pay their respects to the late civil rights leader, and continued to stop by throughout the day. Supporters will have until 10 p.m. to say their goodbyes.

A suburban woman brought her three grandchildren to experience this historic moment as they go through school. 

"I thought it was very important that they come to experience this," Lazane Tyker said. "When I'm long gone, they will always remember this, that they were here and participated." 

Her 11-year-old granddaughter, Shemiyah, was asked what Rev. Jackson's signature slogan, "I am somebody," means to her.

"That I am seen, and that I'm a person too, and I'm special too," she said.

Those waiting in line said this is an important moment in history and they wanted to be involved.

"He was a crucial one in making a lot of changes for Black people, including changing the world for our system. He did a lot of good work. I think that he should be honored for that and never forgotten," said mourner Bill Cannon.

For the second day, Rev. Jackson's son, Jesse Jackson Jr. greeted the crowd.

"The number of people that my father touched over the course of his life and the kind of person that he was – open, welcoming, encouraging – inspiring so many people are coming out to just say thank you," he said.

For the first time since Rev. Jackson's death, his grandchildren also shared their thoughts on his passing.

"I know that everybody's hurting, but the same way that we are. And it's going to be hard to pick up the pieces that he left behind, but we must," said his grandson, Jesse Jackson III.

"I love this community. I love that they're showing up for us right now, and it means the world, because I know he wasn't just my grandfather. He was an inspiration to all of you, and that means everything," said his granddaughter, Jessica Jackson.

After Friday's visitation is concluded, Rev. Jackson's casket will head back to his East Coast roots for services in South Carolina and Washington D.C.

His remains will then return to Chicago for "The People's Celebration" next Friday. A private service is scheduled for March 7th. 

Jackson posthumously presented with Legacy Award by United Negro College Fund

Friday night, more than 1,000 people gathered in southwest suburban Tinley Park to celebrate Rev. Jackson's commitment to education.

"People don't know what he did behind the scenes. I do," said Blondean Davis, superintendent of Matteson School District 162 and CEO of Southland College Prep Charter High School.

The United Negro College Fund and the Superintendents' Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity bestowed Jackson the Legacy Award, which was presented to his widow, Jacqueline Jackson.

"I've known her over the years. I know that she tends to be behind the scenes. We had to do something to let her know we recognize and we appreciate everything you did to make it possible for the Reverend Jesse Jackson to fulfill his goals and objectives," Davis said.

Jacqueline Jackson stood by her husband's side through it all, and even in death she will follow the hearse carrying his casket as it drives from Chicago to South Carolina this weekend. Many see it as final walk behind a man so many followed.

"Why shouldn't she drive? Why shouldn't she follow him all the way? So I understand exactly how she feels," Davis said.

Resting in power at Rainbow PUSH

Founded in the early 1970s as Operation PUSH, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition grew from a local organizing effort into a national platform for civil rights, economic justice, and political mobilization. From the very building where Jackson will lie in repose, he led voter registration drives, advocated for corporate accountability, and pushed for greater access to education and employment opportunities.

It was also from Rainbow PUSH that Jackson helped expand the idea of a rainbow coalition — uniting people across race, class, and political lines around shared economic interests.

Jackson's political campaigns in 1984 and 1988 were organized through the PUSH network, proving that a civil rights organization could also become a national political force.

For many in Chicago, weekly gatherings at Rainbow PUSH became a forum where local concerns met national attention.

"For generations, children and adults will hear the words, 'Keep hope alive,' hear the words, 'I am somebody,'" said the Rev. Michael Pfleger of Chicago's St. Sabina Church. "He took the phrase keep hope alive and made it tangible."

For decades, Rainbow PUSH Headquarters amplified Rev. Jackson's voice. It now becomes a place for reflection for a movement that stretched far beyond the walls of the physical building.

Honors for Rev. Jackson planned for South Carolina and Washington, D.C.

The Jackson family said they shared him with the world and in return, the world became a part of their extended family. This is evident too in what will unfold over the next week.

After a couple of days here in Chicago, there will be services held for Jackson in South Carolina and Washington, D.C. before his funeral will take place back in Chicago at the end of next week.

The Jackson family wanted to make sure their patriarch, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, returned to his roots on the East Coast.

Jackson played football at Sterling High School in Greenville, and famously protested library segregation with a group known as the Greenville Eight.

Jackson's loved ones made a formal request to South Carolina lawmakers that he lie in repose at the state capitol in Columbia. That request was granted Monday, March 2, with a private, then public service — including a wreath-laying — planned at the statehouse rotunda.

A church service is scheduled for that evening in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Details have not yet been released on how Rev. Jackson will be honored in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Jesse Jackson funeral and celebration of life services schedule 

• Thursday, Feb. 26 and Friday, Feb. 27: Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition, 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, 10 a.m.
• Sunday, March 1 – Thursday, March 5: Travel dates for formal services in South Carolina and Washington, D.C.
• Monday, March 2 – Jackson will lie in repose at the South Carolina Statehouse. Following a small private family ceremony inside the Statehouse, the visitation will be open to the public from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 6: The People's Celebration at House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St., Chicago Doors Open: 9 a.m., service: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7: Private Homegoing Celebration at Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Limited capacity.

A spokesperson for the Jackson family said they will share additional details and information for public registration to attend services soon. They will also share a livestream of the services for the public.

The family asks that all flowers and condolence cards be sent to:

Leak & Sons Funeral Home

7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Chicago, IL 60619