ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team 
Last updated: Saturday, March 7, 2026 4:22AM GMT
CHICAGO (WLS) — The life of Rev. Jesse Jackson is being celebrated.
Chicago and the nation said goodbye to Rev. Jesse Jackson on Friday.
Services were held in Chicago and South Carolina.
Plans in Washington, D.C. were postponed.
Follow along as ABC7 Chicago provides live updates after the death of a civil rights icon.
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Here’s how the news is developing.
Chance of severe weather Friday
There is a threat for severe weather Friday, ABC7 Chicago meteorologist Larry Mowry said.
A cluster of showers and thunderstorms will likely move through the area during the morning hours on Friday, he said.
The threat of severe weather with that storm cluster is relatively low, but there could be some hail and gusty winds.
Isolated thunderstorms are possible during Friday afternoon and evening.
There is the risk for high winds, hail and a low-end tornado treat, Mowry said.
Much of the Chicago area is under a Level 1 severe threat, but some south, west and north suburbs are under a Level 2 risk of severe weather.
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team
Preliminary service schedule released
The Jackson family and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition released a schedule of services that includes Chicago and South Carolina.
The full schedule of services is as follows:
Saturday, March 7
Homegoing Celebration at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615
Doors open: 8 a.m.
Service: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Limited capacity
Rolling street closures on Friday will take place between 111th Street and 115th Street., Chicago OEMC said.
Jackson mantra ‘I am somebody’ pervades celebration of life
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s mantra, “I am somebody,” has pervaded his celebration of life.
Friday’s service wrapped its arms around everybody gathering to celebrate a life well-lived.
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s mantra, ‘I am somebody,’ has pervaded his celebration of life.
Many of the speakers expressed their sorrow at Jackson’s passing, but it was a joyous occasion, with music and clapping filling the church.
As the last of the crowds walked away, a rainbow emerged through the clouds: a fitting symbol of the reverend’s mission to bring light and hope.
Mar 06, 2026, 11:53 PM GMT
Mourners reflected while leaving Jesse Jackson’s service Friday
Mourners reflected while leaving Jesse Jackson’s service Friday.
“I got engaged in community advocacy and moved to Michigan; there he was again fighting for economic parity in the automotive industry. And so it’s a historical time,” Gwen Thomas said. “Rev. Jesse Jackson served the people. He was of the people all the time.”
Mourners reflected while leaving Jesse Jackson’s service Friday.
“I felt the energy, the positive energy going. That’s very important; our generation keeps the power and movement going so we can have a better future for everyone that comes behind us,” Shulane Fedrick said.
“There was a common theme throughout everybody who spoke, and that theme was hope. That theme was continuing the work that Jesse Jackson laid the foundation for us to stand on his shoulders and go out there and continue to help change lives in our community,” Minister DeAndre Hawthorne said.
Mar 06, 2026, 11:39 PM GMT
Mourners lined up early Friday morning to pay respects to local icon
Mourners lined up early Friday morning to pay respects to local icon Jesse Jackson.
Mourners lined up early Friday morning to pay respects to local icon Jesse Jackson.
“I’m so determined to be here, to go through all this effort, because I was an activist for peace and non-violence, and when Dr. King got assassinated, I joined Operation PUSH the following week,” Angelete Carroll said. “In 1981, we marched on Washington to legalize Dr. King’s birthday.”
Many also said they want to continue the work Jackson started.
Mar 06, 2026, 11:11 PM GMT
Local, national, world leaders honor Jackson’s legacy
Local, national and world leaders honored Jackson’s legacy in a moving celebration of life.
They touched on how Jackson helped to reshape the political landscape.
Local, national and world leaders honored Jackson’s legacy.
Hundreds of dignitaries, including current and former elected and community leaders, came to pay their respects.
Three members of the Daley family were among those escorted in a side entrance reserved for VIPs.
Former Mayr Lori Lightfoot was also there.