Watch Live: Rev. Jesse Jackson funeral services at House of Hope in Chicago

Of all the signature speeches, phrases and sermons Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered through his life, perhaps none was more well-known and oft-repeated than “I Am — Somebody.”

The free-verse poem was recorded on the album I Am Somebody in 1971, and perhaps most famously performed on “Sesame Street” in 1972. It was also made part of the PUSH-Excel program designed to motivate and encourage Black students. 

The poem, performed as a call-and-response, is a demand for recognition and respect no matter one’s race or class: 

I am — Somebody!
I am — Somebody!
I may be poor,
But I am — Somebody
I may be young,  
But I am — Somebody
I may be on welfar
But I am — Somebody
I may be small,
But I am — Somebody
I may have made mistakes
But I am — Somebody
My clothes are different
My face is different
My hair is different
But I am — Somebody
I am Black
Brown, or white
I speak a different language
But I must be respected,
Protected,
Never rejected
I am God’s child!      

Activist Hermene Hartman reflected on working with Rev. Jesse Jackson on his presidential campaign. 

Harman called Jackson “fearless” and “confrontational” as he found racism and “lifted the Black veil.” She said, despite the mourning period, it is time to celebrate his life. 

“Thank God for the People’s Service because he would love it,” Hartman said. “I can hear him saying, ‘Look at the people.'” 

A sudden flurry of phones being whipped out on the floor of House of Hope signaled the arrival of three former presidents who are in Chicago to pay tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Former President Barack Obama, Former President Bill Clinton and Former President Joe Biden slowly made their way through the crowd, along with former first lady Dr. Jill Biden, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former Vice President Kamala Harris, shaking hands and greeting people as onlookers recorded and they were ushered to their front row seats. 

Meanwhile, on the pulpit, Rev. James T. Meeks and Dr. Carl Jenkins led the crowd in a rousing call-and-response reading of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s signature poem, “I Am — Somebody.”

Ryan Baker speaks with his father about the influence Rev. Jesse Jackson had on him and his career. 

He remembers marching with Jackson, fighting against discrimination on multiple occasions. 

“I’m proud of the fact that I did get a chance to march with, we called him Jesse affectionately, Rev. Jackson,” He said, “I got the chance to march with him to the Cook County Jail from the South Side of Chicago.” 

Pastor Charlie Dates kicked off “The People’s Celebration” by calling those in attendance to come to church. 

“Thank you Jesus!” he exclaimed. “Thank you for the life of Rev. Jackson. Thank you for every door that’s been opened. Thank you for every bill that’s been paid. Thank you for every way that’s been made!”

As his invocations crescendoed, so did the music behind him and the Legacy Mass Choir broke into a rousing gospel performance to start the homegoing services.

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s supporters of all ages are lined up to pay their respects. 

Dorothy Tucker spoke with one of the youngest supporters, who she said is witnessing history. 

Former IL Gov. Rod  Blagojevich reflected on his political career with Rev. Jesse Jackson. 

Blagojevich said after he was released from prison, his first calls were to his family and Jackson. 

“I called my wife, my daughters and Rev. Jesse Jackson,” Blagojevich said.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump counted Rev. Jesse Jackson as both a mentor and colleague, and expressed his appreciation for the man and the icon as he entered House of Hope.

“Rev. Jesse Jackson was the standard-bearer for civil rights throughout my life. I’m 55 years old and all my life Jesse Jackson led us. He was the trailblazer we all followed,” Crump said. “Even when his health started to decline his spirit never left, and that’s why you se so many of his mentees that he had his handprint on all here to pay respects, even presidents of the United States.”

“He not only was our mentor, he was my friend, my fraternity brother,” he added. “He always an inspiration.”

And Crump shared some advice that Jackson gave him in the courtroom as they fought legal battles for civil rights together.

“You don’t drown because the water’s deep, you drown because you stop kicking,” Crump recalled him saying. “I don’t care how the odd are against you, don’t ever stop kicking.”

Jesse Jackson, Jr., stopped to speak with us on his way into House of Hope and said he finds himself thinking about his father even more in this moment in American history.

“When you think about what’s taking place in the world right now, bombings in the Middle East, hostages potentially being held and people who cannot get home, I’m saying to myself, in this moment, if there was someone who was brave enough to go save men and women abroad in this climate, with would be the Reverend Jesse Jackson,” he said. 

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin called Jackson a “force in politics” as he stopped to reflect on his way into House of Hope.

“When you think of the people that he inspired to public service and to help others, the legacy is still there and growing, and I think we’re here to say thanks,” Durbin said. “Thanks to his family, his wife and his children, of course, but thanks to all the people who stood by him.”

“It’s hard to remember he was a controversial figure,” Durbin added. “There were people who didn’t like him at all.”

Jackson began his political career in the civil rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s, which is when Durbin said he first met him, and garnered as many criticisms for his work as he did accolades. But Durbin said he was never deterred from his mission.

“He was a force in politics,” the senator said. “He was on my speed dial, I was on his. He never hesitated to call me regularly with advice. Sometimes I was happy to hear it, sometimes not, but that’s who he was.”

Dorthy Tucker spoke with supporters who have been waiting hours in line outside the House of Hope ahead of the services starting at 11 a.m.

Tucker spoke with a woman waiting in line who said she was introduced to Rainbow PUSH at age 11.  

“I grew up with Rev. Jesse Jackson,” She said. “Rev. Jesse Jackson invited my entire family to the headquarters, we had our family reunion there.  

She told CBS News Chicago, “Keep hope alive.” 

A line of possibly severe thunderstorms is barreling toward Chicago, but that hasn’t deterred thousands of people from lining up to get into House of Hope for “The People’s Celebration.” In fact, most said there’s nowhere else they’d rather be.

“Rev. Jesse Jackson is our hero,” said South Sider Kenneth Blow Sr. “I met him at the Fellowship Baptist Church through Rev. Clay Evans. I’ve been knowing him since I was 7 years old.”

“Jesse Jackson is an icon. He is beloved. He is going home to be with his father,” Blow added.

Joining the growing list of political dignitaries attending the Jackson funeral, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg arrived at House of Hope shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Buttigieg did not stop to speak to reporters before entering the church. He was with a security detail. 

Buttigieg also served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and was a Democratic candidate for president in 2020 before Pres. Joe Biden tapped him to head the Dept. of Transportation in his administration. 

We caught up with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot outside House of Hope in Chicago as people lined up to enter before the service begins. She wasn’t surprised to see the crowds.

“We could have a stadium that fit 20,000 or more and we would fill it all,” she said. 

Lightfoot reflected on Jackson’s legacy in Chicago, saying his impact on the city was “immeasurable.”

“Truly immeasurable,” she said. “I think the fact that he was based here in Chicago was a source of great pride for many. I think it made a statement about the importance of Chicago in the civil rights history of this country. And he was very civically engaged. Yes, he was an international diplomat and someone who was known across the world, but he was someone who was engaged in local civic life and we’re the better for it.”

Lightfoot said she didn’t think there ever would be another Rev. Jesse Jackson, but that his legacy would live on.

“He prepared many of us through his words and deeds to take the baton and run the next leg,” she said. 

Jackson’s funeral will feature a star-studded list of speakers. 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will deliver remarks, as will Rev. Al Sharpton, basketball star Isaiah Thomas, and Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts.  His widow, Dr. Jacqueline Jackson, will speak, and all of Jackson’s children will also speak or perform; his sons Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rep. Jonathan Jackson will deliver remarks, while daughter Santita Jackson will perform “To God be the Glory.”

But the biggest names come from the political world, a nod not just to Jackson’s status as an icon of the Civil Rights movement, but a two-time Democratic presidential candidate who came in second place at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. 

U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Illinois) and Maxine Waters (D-California) will both deliver remarks, as will former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden. 

The procession for Rev. Jesse Jackson is now heading to the House of Hope ahead of funeral services on Friday morning. 

Supporters are lined up outside the House of Hope awaiting Jackson’s arrival. 

Street closures took effect at 7 a.m. ahead of funeral services at the House of Hope for Rev. Jesse Jackson. 

Temporary street closures are expected between 111th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue and 115th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. 

CTA buses operating on 11th Street and on Cottage Grove will be impacted on Friday. This includes bus No. 4 Cottage Grove, No. 111A Pullman and No. 115 Pullman/ Cottage Grove. 

Check CTA’s special event service alerts here. 

In just a few hours, the House of Hope will become the center of a national tribute as family, civil rights leaders, and public officials gather to celebrate the life of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Security preparations are underway ahead of the services starting at 11 a.m.