Rev. Jesse Jackson's Funeral to Draw Obama, Clintons, Bidens in Chicago

The civil rights leader's homegoing service on Friday will feature high-profile speakers and performances.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden are among the notable figures who will attend the funeral of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson in Chicago on Friday. The service, titled the "People's Celebration," will also include appearances by former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and others.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a towering icon of the Civil Rights Movement, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before his assassination. His funeral is expected to draw a who's who of political and civil rights leaders to honor his decades-long fight for equal rights, social and business equity in Chicago and across the country.

The details

The homegoing service will be led by Dr. Charles Jenkins and Rev. James T. Meeks, and will feature performances from Jennifer Hudson, gospel singers Bebe Winans and Pastor Marvin Winans. The public service will be held at House of Hope on the city's Far South Side, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the service beginning at 11 a.m. A private celebration of life will be held the following day at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson died on Feb. 17, 2026 at the age of 84.
  • His body lay in honor at Rainbow PUSH Headquarters for two days last week before traveling to his home state of South Carolina.
  • The public funeral service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A towering icon of the Civil Rights Movement, who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and spent decades fighting for equal rights, social and business equity in Chicago and across the country.

Barack Obama

Former President of the United States.

Bill Clinton

Former President of the United States.

Joe Biden

Former President of the United States.

Dr. Jill Biden

Former First Lady of the United States.

Hillary Clinton

Former Secretary of State and First Lady of the United States.

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What’s next

A private homegoing and celebration of life will be held on Saturday for invited guests only at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's funeral will bring together a who's who of political and civil rights leaders to honor the life and legacy of this towering figure of the Civil Rights Movement, whose decades-long fight for equality and equity in Chicago and across the country left an indelible mark on the nation.