Each year, in the swirl of headlines and breaking news, a few stories completely capture the city’s attention and affect the lives of nearly all Chicagoans–if only briefly.
In 2003, we rode the intoxicating wave of Cubs postseason success, groaned at paying the CTA even more money and held our noses during the garbage strike. We also gaped at a brutal high school hazing and mourned the tragic deaths of young people crushed in a nightclub stairwell.
What else caught RedEye’s eye in 2003? Here’s a review of our Top 10 stories of the year:
1. The tragedy at E2
Panic broke out at a second-floor nightclub Feb. 17, sparking a rush to the exit that left 21 people crushed to death in a stairwell.
The E2 security staff, in an attempt to control a small fight between patrons, reportedly used a chemical spray that alarmed clubgoers and triggered the stampede.
The owners allegedly violated a July 2002 court order demanding that the club close due to building and fire code violations.
Police, however, were not aware of the order, and the club at 2347 S. Michigan Ave. continued to operate.
Status: Club owners and operators were charged with involuntary manslaughter Sept. 23. The criminal trial is expected to begin in the spring.
2. Lincoln Park porch collapse
A porch crowded with partygoers collapsed in Lincoln Park on June 29, killing 13 people and injuring dozens, all of them college students or recent graduates.
The tragedy prompted the city to increase porch inspections and strengthen building requirements.
The third-floor porch that collapsed at 713 W. Wrightwood Ave. was built improperly and without a permit, according to city investigators.
Status: Two dozen cases, including nine wrongful death lawsuits, have been filed in the incident. On Oct. 29, the property owner of the Lincoln Park building agreed to pay to settle city code violations.
3. The Cubs’ legendary season
The legend of the Cubs’ misery grew stronger in 2003, even as they enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in decades.
With new manager Dusty Baker leading the way, a magnificent divisional race with St. Louis and Houston ended in triumph, and a first-round playoff win over Atlanta was the Cubs’ first postseason victory since 1908.
But with the World Series so tantalizingly close, they couldn’t close out Florida in the NLCS in two heartbreaking games at Wrigley Field, including the fateful Game 6 that turned Steve Bartman into a local pariah and made him the butt of national jokes.
Status: Some haven’t recovered from the stunning NLCS loss, but an attempt was made to bring closure. The Bartman foul ball was sold at auction for more than $100,000, with its new owner vowing to destroy it.
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4. The Glenbrook North hazing incident
Five Glenbrook North High School students required hospital treatment after the annual powder puff football game turned into a brutal hazing May 4.
Seniors were videotaped physically beating the juniors and hurling animal intestines and trash at them in a forest preserve near Northbrook.
Northfield Township High School District 225 expelled 33 seniors and disciplined 20 juniors after the incident. Most of the 16 students found guilty in the hazing-related battery cases have gone to college.
Status: The last student was found guilty of battery Dec 2. The Northbrook Village Board is considering recommendations to prevent future incidents and may push for new laws.
5. North Side attacks
In the summer and fall, more than a dozen women reported being attacked by strangers as they walked alone in neighborhoods on the North Side. Some were raped; others escaped being sexually assaulted by scaring off or fighting off the attacker.
Police arrested two men, Willie Moore, 29, and Dennis Robinson, 34, in September after a witness who responded to a woman’s screams reported the license plate of a car the two men were using. Moore is charged in two attacks, including one rape. Robinson is charged in one attack.
At the same time, police believe one man was committing a string of rapes and attempted rapes in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and other North Side neighborhoods. Victims described a Hispanic man driving a dark Pontiac Grand Am who often attacked from behind and beat his victims.
The last attack linked to the suspect was Oct. 22. A sexual assault similar to the others was reported on the West Side in November, but police have not yet connected it to the others.
Status: Police continue to look for the serial rapist. Moore and Robinson are in jail and have court appearances next month. Moore’s DNA was linked to unsolved rapes in Wicker Park in 2000 and another in 2002. He has been charged in both those cases.
6. CTA fare hike
The base fare to ride Chicago Transit Authority buses and trains will increase 25 cents next year to $1.75, the first fare hike since 1991.
A flood of public criticism pushed CTA officials to scrap several proposals, including a ban of round-trip transfers.
Mayor Daley also censured CTA President Frank Kruesi for his handling of the fare increase in the wake of an executive-pension scandal that would have boosted Kruesi’s retirement benefits.
Also under the budget passed Nov. 10, the $5 cost for the Chicago Card and the new Chicago Card Plus will be waived until March 31.
Status: The fare changes will kick in Jan. 1. Kruesi would not rule out another increase in 2005, which will partly depend on the economy, he said.
7. Domestic partner registry
Gay and lesbian couples in Cook County now may register their domestic partnerships under a proposal passed July 1.
The registry, which opened Oct. 1., is one of many items that propelled gay rights to the center of public attention in 2003. Most notably, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state sodomy laws June 23, and Canada took the first step toward legalizing same-sex marriage Sept. 16.
Under Cook County’s registry, couples are not granted additional legal rights, and they are not legally married, but they can use the certificate to help secure domestic-partner benefits from employers.
Status: As of Dec. 30, 287 same-sex couples have registered with Cook County.
8. Battle over file sharing
The recording industry’s trade group subpoenaed more than 1,000 people over copyright infringement, targeting universities and other Internet service providers to provide the names of network users suspected of swapping.
The industry blames piracy for a big drop in sales.
Loyola University and DePaul University received subpoenas from the Recording Industry Association of America in July for students downloading music on campus. As of Oct. 31, the RIAA and record companies have sued more than 60 people in the Chicago area and hundreds nationally.
Status: More than 200 computer users agreed to pay penalties from $2,500 to $7,500 each and destroy copies of illegally downloaded songs. A federal appeals court ruled Dec. 19 that the recording industry can’t force Internet providers to identify music downloaders. The decision is not expected to affect lawsuits or financial settlements already in the works.
9. Anti-smoking proposals
Anti-smoking advocates and restaurant owners battled over two proposed public smoking bans during City Council hearings in January and March. Health professionals and other supporters of the ban stress the dangers of secondhand smoke to customers and workers. Restaurant and bar owners insist the proposal will hurt business.
Status: Chicago aldermen say they are rewriting the ordinance to reflect information gathered over the past year. Meanwhile, Wilmette passed a ban Nov. 11 that bars smoking in nearly all public places. Skokie passed a similar ban July 8.
10. The Chicago trash strike
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Contract negotiations broke down between major waste hauling firms and Teamsters in late September, resulting in a nine-day trash strike beginning Oct. 1.
City garbage collectors, who only service small residential buildings and homes, pitched in to clear away some of the refuse, as an estimated 135,000 tons of trash piled up across the six-county region. Wrigleyville bars and restaurants struggled to dispose of all the garbage generated by Cubs fans caught up in the postseason frenzy.
The Chicago Refuse Haulers Association and Teamsters agreed to a five-year contract that will increase wages and benefits.
Status: Some suburban towns and individual businesses still are seeking refunds for lack of service and expenses during the garbage strike.