Bill Text: IL HR1061 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Reverend Merlon M. Jackson Sr.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2026-10-27 - Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Michael Crawford [HR1061 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR1061-Introduced.html

---

HR1061 LRB104 23635 LAW 40131 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend
Merlon M. Jackson Sr., who passed away on August 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson was born to Robert Lee Jackson and
Jennie B. Jackson in Arkansas on July 5, 1949; he was raised on
Chicago's South Side and graduated from Hales Franciscan High
School in 1967; he earned an associate degree from Joliet
Junior College, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and
Counseling from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an
honorary Doctor of Divinity; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson worked as a customer service
engineer at IBM for 32 years and served as pastor of Christ
Community Church for 31 years, guiding the Roseland and West
Pullman communities of Chicago beginning in 1995; under his
leadership, the church's bread ministry expanded into an
outreach ministry that provides food, clothing, furniture, and
counseling to thousands of people every month; through the
church's ministries and his partnership with organizations
such as the nonprofit Chicago CRED, the outreach now also
offers second-chance opportunities for hundreds of
individuals; both his community outreach efforts and the
ministries continue to serve and impact lives every week; and

HR1061 - 2 - LRB104 23635 LAW 40131 r
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson was a teacher at heart who loved to
share all that he learned and studied; in addition to his
weekly sermons from the pulpit at Christ Community Church, he
served as teacher and co-host of the weekly CAN TV program
Redeemed and Ransomed alongside Minister Eddie Davis; he also
served as chaplain for the Will County Jail and as minister for
the Princeton Senior Residence, now known as the Minnie
Riperton Apartments, for 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson further contributed to his community
while serving as board chair of Chicago Neighborhood
Initiatives, Inc. (CNI) from 2010 to 2026, during which his
steadfast leadership guided CNI's transformative work in
Pullman, including the Pullman Park development, the Method
Products and Gotham Greens facilities, and the Whole Foods
Distribution Center, bringing thousands of jobs to one of
Chicago's most storied communities; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson, until his passing, remained
dedicated to the work he felt was necessary and important to
the community and to the residents of Chicago at large; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson was preceded in death by his
parents; his son, Richard Jackson; and his siblings, Otis
McKirty Clark and Carol Jackson; and

HR1061 - 3 - LRB104 23635 LAW 40131 r
WHEREAS, Rev. Jackson is survived by his children, Merlon
Jackson Jr., Robert Jackson, Mazonne (Kari) Jackson, Gigton
Staple, and Tenille Jackson; his grandchildren; his siblings,
Merdean (James) Jackson Woods, Sharon Jackson, and Robert
(Letitia) Jackson; his nephew and nieces, Robert Jackson,
Ellissa Hinton, and Sherri Hinton; a host of additional nieces
and nephews; and his church family and friends; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Reverend Merlon M. Jackson Sr. and
extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
who knew and loved him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Rev. Jackson as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.