South Siders glued to the TV for Jackson’s homegoing service: ‘Everybody has been watching all day’

Scrambled eggs, grits and sausage patties were Rev. Jesse Jackson’s regular order at Hyde Park’s Valois Restaurant. He’d sit at the fifth table on the right side, without fail. Jackson was a loyal customer, sometimes coming in twice a day, for over 40 years.

Gianni Colamussi, owner of the popular cafeteria-style restaurant, became friends with the civil rights activist and his family over the years. So streaming Friday’s homegoing services on the television at Valois felt like a good way to honor Jackson’s legacy for Chicagoans who couldn’t make it to the services.

“He’s been a real big pinnacle of this area and of the restaurant,” he said. “His bodyguard would sit at the table behind him, and if it was just them two, he would eat in peace.”

The funeral service honoring Jackson began at 11 a.m. at Chicago’s House of Hope, and was attended by thousands. Heavy hitters like former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as Rev. Al Sharpton and singer Jennifer Hudson were in attendance.

But South Side businesses like Valois also streamed the homegoing services for their patrons.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s favorite table at Valois at 1518 E 53rd St in Hyde Park, Friday, March 6, 2026. Gianni Colamussi, owner of the popular cafeteria-style restaurant, became friends with Jackson and his family over the years. So streaming Friday’s services on the television at Valois felt like a good way to honor Jackson’s legacy.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

During his break, Colamussi, 53, parked himself at the closest table to the TV. The restaurant was crowded with regulars at 11:30 a.m. and most seemed to be going about their business. But Colamussi and a visiting friend, John Pitsadiotis, were fixated on the services.

Colamussi and his family went to Rainbow PUSH for the two-day lying in state last week. He and his family got “VIP service” that they weren’t expecting.

“The family had us go straight to the front to pay our respects,” he said. “That was incredible, the respect they showed us was impeccable.”

Jackson’s brother, Charles Jackson, stopped by Valois a day earlier.

“We got to talking a little bit, and he said, ‘Man the memories of this place with him, I come here now and it’s eerie,’” Colamussi said.

Colamussi thinks Jesse Jackson stopped by the restaurant for the last time in the fall.

“He was slowing down for sure,” he said.

At Hyde Park Hair Salon, longtime barber A.C. Chandler cuts the hair of customer Arthur Dennis as the shop’s televisions show Rev. Jackson’s celebration of life service.

Over at Hyde Park Hair Salon, longtime barber A.C. Chandler spent the day reminiscing about events with Rainbow PUSH, and about the salon’s time cutting the hair of Jesse Jackson Jr. and Congressman Jonathan Jackson.

The hair salon, which famously counts former President Barack Obama as a one-time client, streamed the Friday services on both televisions at the salon.

“Everybody has been watching all day,” Chandler, 46, said.

Chandler and his client, Arthur Dennis, spent the appointment pointing out people they knew at the funeral.

“We were just talking about people that we know within our circle that are either active members involved in or part of the Rainbow PUSH coalition,” Chandler said.

Dennis, a current member of PUSH, said the homegoing celebration was necessary.

“But also, I think with any celebration of life… It’s about what do you do now? If Jesse Jackson was about solidarity, how are we showing that in our everyday lives,” Dennis, 33, said. “Because it’s one thing to show up for a day, but how do you show up for a lifetime?