Congressman Bobby Rush

Member of the Board of Trustees
Congressman Bobby Rush is a legendary figure in modern African American politics and an extraordinary leader who served as the U.S. House Representative for Illinois’ First Congressional District from 1993-2023. In 1963, at the age of seventeen, Rush enlisted in the U. S. Army and served honorably until 1968. Later, Rush made history when he formed the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party after having been inspired by the activism of Stokely Carmichael and others. Rush served as an alderman from 1983- 1992 until he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.