Jesse Jackson to step down from civil rights group Rainbow PUSH

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will stepdown from the civil rights organization Rainbow PUSH, which he founded in 1971.

His formal announcement will not come until Sunday, according to the Associated Press, but a spokesperson for his son, Democratic Illinois Rep. Jonathan Jackson, confirmed his decision on Friday.

The civil rights leader has struggled with health complications for years, including Parkinson's Disease. He will turn 82 in October.

"Through decades of service, he has led the Rainbow PUSH Coalition at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights and social justice. His faith, his perseverance, his love, and his relentless dedication to people inspire all of us to keep pushing for a better tomorrow," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement on Jackson's departure from Rainbow PUSH.

In 1988, Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, winning 13 primary contests and becoming the most successful black presidential candidate until President Barack Obama.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.