Robert R. Jackson (September 1, 1870, in Malta, Illinois – June 12, 1942) was a state legislator in Illinois as well as a baseball team founder, baseball league commissioner, and Chicago alderman.[1] [2] Jackson was educated in the Chicago public school system until leaving school to care for family after the eighth grade.[3] Prior to his tenure in the legislature, he worked as a newspaper salesman, postal service employee, elevator operator and baseball team owner. He was a Republican
Jackson's twenty-one year tenure at the Chicago Postal System included twelve years as assistant superintendent at Armour station, at the time the highest role held by a Black man in the Chicago postal system.[2] Jackson was also a veteran of the Spanish-American War when his National Guard regiment, Illinois' Eighth was activated to Cuba.[2]
In 1910, Jackson cofounded with Beauregard F. Mosely the Leland Giants, Chicago's first African-American baseball team. He also served a two-year term as Commissioner of the Negro American League.[1] When Jackson left the postal system to return to the print business, his Fraternal Press was believed to be the largest printing business owned by a Black person.[4]
Jackson was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1912; he was seated just a short time before the legislature adjourned sine die. Speaker William Michael McKinley appointed Jackson to roles on a number of committees including federal relations, military affairs, and more.[2] Jackson was re-elected in 1914 and 1916 and was a part of Illinois' first state film censorship law.[5] [4] He served as an alderman in Chicago City Council for the Second and Third Wards from 1918-1939 after his time as a state legislator was term limited.[4] [3]