Rev. Jackson updates: Chicago says final goodbye to civil rights icon at Rainbow PUSH HQ

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Last updated: Monday, March 9, 2026 5:07PM GMT
Rev. Jackson laid to rest at Oak Woods Cemetery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The life of Rev. Jesse Jackson was celebrated.

Chicago and the nation said goodbye to Rev. Jesse Jackson on Friday and Saturday.

Services were held in Chicago and South Carolina.

Plans in Washington, D.C. were postponed.

Mar 07, 2026, 11:47 PM

Procession to cemetery follows final service for Rev. Jackson

The final service for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of love, laughter, tears and inspiration.

Saturday's events were the culmination of days of homegoing services for the reverend who died Feb. 17.

Everyday people, along with Rev. Jackson's family and close friends, came together for a final goodbye on Saturday.

A procession to the cemetery immediately followed Saturday's service, which people from all over came to.

Crowds lined up early Saturday morning to get into Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters.

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Mar 06, 2026, 11:23 AM GMT

Procession for Rev. Jackson to go from funeral home to House of Hope

The Jackson family will lead the casket on a procession to the House of Hope Friday morning.

The procession is expected to get underway at 7:45 a,m.

The Jackson family will lead the casket on a procession to the House of Hope Friday morning.

The Jackson family will lead the procession from Leaks and Sons Funeral Home.

This is a full circle moment.

The Leaks family welcomed Reverend Jackson and his family when they moved to Chicago.

The Leak's family house in the South Shore neighborhood was the first home the Jacksons moved to.

Leak & Sons also drove Jackson's body to lie in state in South Carolina last week. The hearse had a state police escort for the trip.

The Leaks family said helping plan Reverend Jackson's funeral has been an honor.

"I've been given an awesome responsibility because of this awesome man, and I just want everything to go perfectly for him," Spencer Leak Jr. said.

Thousands will gather at House of Hope to remember Rev. Jesse Jackson's life.

The processional route will go down Cottage Grove then west to 115th.

The city's Office of Emergency Management and Communication said people should expect rolling street closures once the procession begins.

Tre Ward Image
Mar 06, 2026, 4:41 AM GMT

Hundreds gather to honor one of most prominent members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity

Hundreds gathered to honor one of the most prominent members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

They came together at the First Baptist Church of Chicago in Kenwood to remember a leader in their brotherhood.

Hundreds gathered to honor one of the most prominent members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

"He was just a phenomenal individual, inspiring, the whole nine, and it's just an honor to be here," Omega Psi Phi member Sean Long said.

Rev. Jesse Jackson was initiated into Omega Psi Phi in spring of 1960.

Two years after his initiation, Jackson was elected second vice grand basileus for the organization.

"It's something that's hard to describe, quite honestly, because I've known Jesse. I was there when he first got made," Omega Psi Phi member John Moore said.

"One of the greatest moments in my life, as an Omega man, was when he came down to my hometown of Alton, Illinois to step up for some workers at a health care facility," Omega Psi Phi member Charles Bruce said.

They processed to Rainbow PUSH.

They followed their fraternity motto, "friendship is essential to the soul."

"He embodies our cardinal principals: manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift, and he used that uplift to give back to the community. He lived it every day," Omega Psi Phi member Marquis Sagnia said.

"And, he really set a standard for all the brothers that came in after him because you know you needed to carry yourself a certain way if you're going to be in the same fraternity as Reverend Jackson," Chicago historian and Omega Psi Phi member Sherman "Dilla" Thomas said.

Omega Psi Phi brothers say they will continue to honor Jackson's legacy during his home-going celebrations, this weekend, as Jackson enters the fraternity's Omega Chapter - a symbolic chapter in the organization for members who have died.

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Mar 06, 2026, 3:18 AM GMT

Resolution introduced to Congress to honor Jackson's legacy

A resolution was introduced to Congress to honor Jackson's Legacy Thursday. President Trump was also called on to lower flags to half-staff.

U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio introduced a resolution that honors the life, legacy and contributions of Jackson.

She also asked Trump to issue a federal proclamation lowering the flags to half-staff in honor of Jackson's death.

Samantha Chatman  Image
Mar 06, 2026, 12:53 AM GMT

Fraternity honors Jackson with service

A fraternity is honoring the late Rev. Jesse Jackson with a service Thursday night.

Hundreds of members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity from all over the country made their way to the South Side of Chicago.

A fraternity honored Rev. Jesse Jackson with a service Thursday.

Donned in black suits and purple ties, fraternity members gathered for what is expected to be an emotional service to honor their brother, Jesse Jackson.

Jackson was initiated into Omega Psi Phi at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in the Pi Psi chapter. He would later go on to finish his studies at North Carolina A&T.

"Jesse Jackson meant a lot to a lot of people but to Omega Psi Phi; he meant even more. I was touched and I first met brother Jackson. The way that he came off was so real, so genuine," said Marquis Sogia, 10th District representative with Omega Psi Phi.

"One thing he impacted in my life was Rainbow PUSH coalition. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Seeing what he did for this community, it made me invest in myself, go to school, go to college. It does something for the youth," Omega Psi Phi member Chidiebere Anaele said.

"Well, I'm 75-years-old. I've been crying like a child since I got the news. I have a damp handkerchief from wiping away the tears. So, it's going to flow out of me. I guarantee it. Jesse, thank you for the work, the sacrifice and for your love in Omega," Omega Psi Phi member Charles Bruce said.

Members said it will not be the same without Rev. Jackson. But they are vowing the carry on the legacy he has left behind.