Jerry Butler, a premier soul singer of the 1960s and after whose rich, intimate baritone graced such hits as “For Your Precious Love,” “Only the Strong Survive” and “Make It Easy On Yourself,” has ...

Butler, who died Feb. 20, was born in rural Miss., and had his first hit in 1958, singing lead with The Impressions. He later moved to Chicago and entered local politics. Originally broadcast in 2000.

It was 3 AM on a Saturday in late February, and during a recess in the Cook County Board of Commissioners’ marathon session to pass its 2011 budget, a small reprieve arrived in the unexpected form of ...