Major Developments in Chicago
On September 1, 1982, a pivotal moment occurred in Illinois architecture when the State of Illinois Center was officially topped out. This event marked it as the most expensive structure in the state at that time, exceeding $172 million. Present at the ceremony were architect Helmut Jahn, Governor Jim Thompson, and Mayor Jane Byrne. Additionally, Archbishop Joseph Bernardin of the Archdiocese of Chicago blessed the center. In November 1984, Governor Thompson became the first tenant, and in 1993, the center was renamed the Thompson Center in his honor.
“The Thompson Center housed Governor Thompson, who used furniture from the Chicago Historical Society.”
Important in urban development history was the 1909 change to Chicago’s street system. State and Madison streets became the original grid starting point, which led to the transformation of nearly every address in the city. This grid system, proposed by Edward Brennan in 1901, allows for efficient navigation using block numbers and directional signals. This approach even influenced address systems in many suburbs.
Sports and Tragedies
In 1933, the Chicago Bears held their first training camp outside the city, moving to the University of Notre Dame. However, the absence of Red Grange, a key player, was notable.
On September 1, 1961, a tragic aviation disaster struck. A loose bolt caused the tail section of a TWA Constellation plane to detach shortly after taking off from Midway Airport. The crash near Clarendon Hills resulted in the deaths of all 78 passengers.
Important Legislation and Discoveries
In 1984, Chicago mandated smoke detectors in all multi-unit homes, responding to the high percentage of fire deaths in residences lacking such devices the preceding year. This ordinance was heavily promoted by the smoke detector industry and included fines and potential jail time for non-compliance.
The year 1989 saw the Tully monster designated as the state fossil of Illinois, following a significant delay. This decision underscored Illinois’ unique paleontological finds.
Milestone in Space Exploration
In 1992, Mae Jemison, an astronaut with Chicago roots, became the first Black woman in space during the STS-47 Spacelab J mission aboard the Endeavour. Her achievement marked a significant milestone in space exploration.
Recent Events
The Fox Lake incident in 2015 involved police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, whose death, staged as a homicide, was later revealed to be a suicide. Investigation showed Gliniewicz had been embezzling from a youth program he managed. In 2022, his widow Melodie Gliniewicz pleaded guilty to related charges and received probation.
On September 2, 2018, the Chicago Bears made a substantial trade for Khalil Mack from the Raiders. Mack, a two-time All-Pro edge rusher, became a cornerstone of the team with a six-year, $141 million contract. In 2022, the Bears traded Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers, concluding his impactful tenure with the team.
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