A legendary figure in modern African American politics, Congressman Bobby Rush exhibited extraordinary leadership skill long before his 1992 election to Illinois' First Congressional District. Rush was born in Albany, Georgia, in November 23, 1946, under extremely segregated conditions. Rush’s family moved to Chicago in 1953, when he was seven years old.

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. During this time, Rush formed the Free Medical Clinic in Chicago. It was later that Rush would confront the political establishment with a more traditional approach.

Rush ran for alderman of Chicago's Second Ward in 1975, but lost the election. Rush later won that same seat in 1983 and he continued to serve as an alderman until 1992, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Rush participates on the subcommittees on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protections, and Energy and Power, as well as on the House Committee on Commerce. These three entities account for three-quarters of all national legislation. During his term, Rush has served as member of the U.S. delegation of the North Atlantic Assembly, and sponsored many community-based initiatives.

In 1999 Rush ran for mayor of Chicago but lost to Richard M. Daley.