City of Chicago honors Civil Rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson on his 83rd birthday

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The City of Chicago paid a high-spirited tribute to the Reverend Jesse Jackson on his 83rd birthday Tuesday.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson's family, friends and fans packed City Hall's fourth floor as luminaries like Rev. Charles Jenkins thanked God for Chicago's longtime Civil Rights leader.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has Parkinson's disease, smiled at all the tributes, including from his son, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, who thanked Mayor Brandon Johnson for honoring his dad with a Key to the city he calls home.

“I think it is entirely appropriate to give great men and great women flowers while they can still smell them,” the Congressman said.

The late South African President Nelson Mandela was one of the last people to be so honored.

Mayor Johnson told Rev. Jackson, this was more than an occasion to have a ceremony and cake for him.

“It is truly my honor to be a part of this celebration. But I want you to be very clear that this is about us cementing your leadership into the halls of power for generations to come,” Johnson said.

The Mayor said that thanks to Rev. Jackson, the journey to freedom and liberation is a little shorter.

After the traditional rendition of ‘Happy Birthday,’ the crowd spontaneously started singing the Stevie Wonder version, to the delight of even the singer and pianist.

Afterwards, Rev. Jackson posed for pictures with many in the crowd.

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