(UnitedVoice.com) – Since 1993, Rep. Bobby Rush (D), known for his social activism, has served the people in the First Congressional District of Illinois. After nearly three decades in Congress, he’s now retiring, but that doesn’t mean he has plans to disappear.
In January 2022, Rush announced he was leaving office at the end of the current term. The longtime lawmaker is now just days away from closing the last chapter of his career in Congress. The representative recently spoke with The Hill about his plans to leave his position and what he wants to do after he retires.
@RepBobbyRush is leaving Congress after 29 years. But, the former Black Panther told me, he’s not really retiring. He’s “returning” home, to his church &community, and to his first love: social justice & community organizing. More in my latest for @thehill https://t.co/x28nCnllW0
— cheyanne m daniels (your alien superstar) (@CheyannaMarie97) December 19, 2022
Rush said he will return to Chicago and his “first love” of “social justice and community organizing.” The congressman’s activism goes back to the 1960s when he was a part of the Black Panthers, a militant movement that fought for civil rights for Black people.
According to Rush, he decided to run for public office in the 19070s after he attended a rally for Rep. Ralph Metcalfe (D-IL) at a church. He said the event was “standing room only,” and that’s when he realized serving as an elected official would give him the larger microphone. He served as an alderman in Chicago from 1983 to 1992 until his constituency elected him to Congress.
Although he’s leaving office, Rush said he isn’t actually retiring; he’s just returning to his roots.
Rush will be replaced by Jonathan Jackson (D) when the 118th Congress is seated in January.
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