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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REVEREND JESSE LOUIS JACKSON, SR.
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners mourns the passing and celebrates the extraordinary life, indelible legacy, and tireless activism of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., who departed this life on February 17, 2026, a towering figure in the modern civil rights movement, a passionate advocate for social justice, and one of the most influential African American leaders of the 20th and 21st centuries; and
WHEREAS, born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Reverend Jackson rose from humble beginnings to become an internationally respected voice for the oppressed, the disenfranchised, and the marginalized. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Illinois before transferring to North Carolina A&T State University, where he embraced activism and graduated with a degree in sociology. He later studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jackson’s leadership was forged under the mentorship of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with whom he worked closely as a young aide in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He played a pivotal role in major civil rights demonstrations, including the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, and was present in Memphis on the day Dr. King was tragically assassinated in 1968; and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Dr. King’s death, Reverend Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) in 1971, a Chicago-based organization that championed economic empowerment, educational equity, and Black self-determination. Under his visionary leadership, Operation PUSH helped broker agreements with major corporations to expand employment opportunities and increase minority business participation; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jackson further expanded his impact through the founding of the Rainbow Coalition in 1984, a progressive and inclusive political movement that sought to unite diverse constituencies, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, LGBTQ+ communities, labor unions, environmentalists, and the poor, under a shared vision of justice, peace, and equality. The Rainbow Coalition later merged with Operation PUSH to form Rainbow/PUSH; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jackson’s historic bids for the presidency of the United States in 1984 and 1988 shattered barriers and redefined American politics. In his 1988 campaign, he won over seven (7) million votes and eleven (11) primary contests, making him the most successful African American presidential candidate in history at that time. His candidacy galvanized a new generation of political engagement and laid the groundwork for future leaders of color, including President Barack Obama; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jackson was also internationally renowned for his diplomatic efforts, having traveled to Syria, Iraq, Cuba, and other global regions to negotiate the release of hostages and promote peace. His moral courage and global vision earned him admiration far beyond the borders of the United States; and
WHEREAS, throughout his remarkable career, Reverend Jackson received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, awarded to him in 2000 by President Bill Clinton for his lifelong commitment to nonviolence, civil rights, and reconciliation; and
WHEREAS, despite his global reach, Reverend Jackson remained rooted in Chicago, where his activism, mentorship, and unwavering dedication shaped generations of leaders, uplifted countless communities, and transformed lives. His voice stood as a clarion call for justice, dignity, and human rights; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.’s life was one of profound service, moral clarity, and bold leadership. He embodied the conviction that democracy demands participation, that faith must be lived out in action, and that change is not only possible, but inevitable when driven by courage and compassion; and
WHEREAS, his passing on February 17, 2026, marks the end of a transformative chapter in American history, yet his enduring legacy will continue to inspire movements for justice, equity, and peace for generations to come;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT TONI PRECKWINKLE, PRESIDENT OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, INCLUDING BILL LOWRY, FRANK J. AGUILAR, ALMA E. ANAYA, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, BRIDGET GAINER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, DR. KISHA E. MCCASKILL, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, JOSINA MORITA, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, MICHAEL SCOTT JR., TARA S. STAMPS, MAGGIE TREVOR, AND JESSICA VÁSQUEZ, do hereby honor and commemorate the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., whose lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity profoundly shaped Cook County, our nation, and the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Jackson family as a symbol of Cook County’s deepest condolences, enduring gratitude, and unwavering respect for a man whose life was a testament to the power of conviction, the necessity of compassion, and the transformative force of visionary leadership. Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd. District.