Ernie Banks statue at Wrigley Field and Jesse Jackson?

I watched the Cubs home opener today when Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and Hank Aaron observed the unveiling of a new honor for Banks in the form of a statue (that he most certainly deserves as he was a brilliant athlete). Standing with them was political hack Jesse Jackson. Why was Jesse there among these baseball giants? What does he contribute toward the equation? I know he lives in Chicago, but so do I.