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.

Key Headlines

Mar 08, 2026, 5:00 AM GMT
Rev. Jackson laid to rest at Oak Woods Cemetery
Mar 07, 2026, 11:47 PM GMT
Procession to cemetery follows final service for Rev. Jackson
Mar 07, 2026, 7:22 PM GMT
Santita Jackson sings rendition of 'Troubles of the World' in honor of her father
Mar 07, 2026, 6:14 PM GMT
Stevie Wonder sings 'They Won't Go When I Go' at Rainbow PUSH HQ
Mar 07, 2026, 4:58 PM GMT
Yusef Jackson gives official welcome at Rainbow PUSH HQ
Mar 06, 2026, 8:40 PM GMT
Obama honors Rev. Jackson's life and legacy
Mar 05, 2026, 5:32 PM GMT
What to know about Rev. Jackson public service
Mar 03, 2026, 10:18 PM GMT
Officiants, speakers, performers announced for Chicago services
Mar 02, 2026, 5:25 PM GMT
South Carolina pays tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson
Mar 01, 2026, 2:38 PM GMT
Rev. Jackson's wife becomes ill on trip to South Carolina, returning to Chicago, family says
Feb 26, 2026, 4:51 PM GMT
Rev. Sharpton speaks as visitation begins

Here's how the news is developing.

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.

BySamantha Chatman

Mar 06, 2026, 5:09 PM GMT

Chicago native, NBA star Isiah Thomas in attendance

Mar 06, 2026, 5:01 PM GMT

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich shares memories of Rev. Jesse Jackson

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was among the mourners for the Reverend Jesse Jackson's celebration of life Friday at House of Hope.

Blagojevich said Reverend Jackson was instrumental in helping him get released from prison.

He said after he got out of prison in the parking lot, "I called my wife, I talked to my little girls and then I called Reverend Jackson and I thanked him for everything he did. And I said to him, 'You know reverend who would have though all of those years ago when we were in Yugoslavia, negotiating the release of those soldiers which he did, I just carried his bags, who would have thought all these years later and you would be pulling me out of prison.'"