Jesse Jackson’s long history in Chicago

Thomas Pritzker Resigns from Hyatt Over Epstein Scandal

Thomas Pritzker, a cousin of Gov. JB Pritzker, has resigned as executive chairman of Hyatt over ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. (The Pritzker family’s fortune comes from the Chicago-based hotel business.) Thomas exchanged at least 20 emails with Epstein after the late criminal's 2008 sex crime conviction. [Sun-Times]

• Uh oh: Over text, Epstein said Thomas was “like family.” [Chicago Maroon]

A Conservative Bid for a Democratic Nomination

In the upcoming primary, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) aims to unseat Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle who doubles as Cook County Democratic Party chair. Reilly has broken with fellow Democrats in the past and is one of the city’s most conservative alders. He recently pushed a city budget that avoided taxing corporations and wants to implement a Cook County ID for county services like medical care. [WBEZ]

A Rare Win For Local Eateries

An Illinois judge declined to block a law exempting taxes and tips from what retailers pay to credit card networks. Although the payments industry says the decision threatens consumer rewards programs, it’s a win for local restaurants already struggling with low profits and high operating costs. [Crain’s 🔒]

• Curious? Here’s why so many restaurants are closing in Chicago? [City Cast Chicago 🤳]

Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday at 84 in Chicago, following years of illness. As one of the country’s most famous Civil Rights leaders, he remained “a symbol of Black politics and Black America” throughout his life.

• Where it all started: Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina and grew up under Jim Crow. He first moved to Chicago in 1964 to attend the Chicago Theological Seminary. Shortly after, he met Martin Luther King, Jr. and began managing Operation Breadbasket, which increased economic and business opportunities in Black communities. It later morphed into Operation PUSH, then the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which Jackson ran until 2023.
• About Rainbow/PUSH: Jackson’s organization name connects to Black Panther Fred Hampton's own "Rainbow Coalition." After police shot and killed Hampton in 1969, Jackson was among the first to call for an investigation. Jackson eventually founded the National Rainbow Coalition and combined it with PUSH, his other nonprofit, in 1997. It remains headquartered in Chicago.
• Also in Chicago: Jackson rallied to elect Harold Washington, Chicago’s first Black mayor; sued to prevent disgraced Chicago police commander Jon Burge from receiving a pension; and protested following the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago cop.
• On the national stage: Jackson ran for president twice, in 1984 and 1988, paving the way for future Black nominees. Although he never won the Democratic nomination, his efforts mobilized millions of Black voters and helped change the way the party allocates delegates. He was the first Black presidential nominee with a nationwide campaign. (Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who ran in 1972, couldn’t get on all states’ ballots.)
• Looking ahead: Jackon’s son Jesse Jackson Jr. is currently running to reclaim his congressional seat in the 2nd District. (He resigned in 2013 amid a campaign finance fraud investigation.) His son Jonathan Jackson currently represents the 1st District.
• Jackson leaves behind: His wife Jackie, six children, and multiple grandchildren. He and Jackie raised their family on the South Side, in Jackson Park Highlands.
• And don’t forget: Jackson hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 1984, near the end of his first presidential bid. He lauded his cost-efficient campaign: “About 99 cents a vote!”