The Rev. James Meeks through the years – Chicago Tribune newstrendslive

The Rev. Charlie Dates, left, and the Rev. James Meeks at Salem Baptist Church at the House of Hope on Jan. 6, 2023. Dates has served under Meeks’ leadership for decades and has been named his successor.
(Vincent D. Johnson / for the Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

The Rev. James Meeks is retiring as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church after nearly 40 years. He won a state Senate seat as an independent in 2002. He later switched to Democrat and held onto the seat before retiring in 2012. He also ran for mayor twice, in 2003 and 2011, but dropped out of both races. He also was chairman of the Illinois Board of Education in 2017.

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