CHICAGO — Faith leaders are set to honor the late Rev. Jesse Jackson during the upcoming Saturday morning forum at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, marking the first such gathering since his passing.
Rev. Jackson, who passed away on Tuesday at 84, had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a condition similar to Parkinson’s disease, for many years.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
A prominent civil rights figure, Jackson was the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and dedicated his life to advancing social justice and engaging in international advocacy.
Saturday’s forum will include a ceremony where blankets will be blessed at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters. These blankets will then be distributed to shelters and community centers.
The blessing of the blankets represents a commitment to serving and showing compassion to vulnerable populations, a principle that Rev. Jackson championed throughout his lifetime.
To honor his legacy, celebration of life services are planned in Chicago, South Carolina, and Washington D.C.
House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request to allow Jackson to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.
The Jackson family has thanked the public for the continued outpouring of support.
This comes as a memorial continues to grow outside of Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Kenwood.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
