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Chicago Tribune
29-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Porch collapse in Lincoln Park kills 13, injures more than 50 young people
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 29, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1889: Annexation caused Chicago to gain 131 acres and more than 220,000 residents, making it the second-largest city in the United States. With a new total of 1.1 million residents, it ranked just behind New York in population. Immigrants drove population growth in the Chicago area and Cook County last year, latest census figures showThe Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area is the third-largest and Cook County is the second-largest in the country. 1996: Soldier Field sweltered as a crowd of 69,000 men sang and shouted during the Promise Keepers' first-ever event in Chicago. 2003: During a balcony porch party at an apartment building at 713 W. Wrightwood Ave. in Lincoln Park, a third-floor porch holding partygoers gave way, caving onto the second-floor porch below and barreling down to the ground floor. Thirteen people died and more than 50 were injured at the site just steps away from DePaul University. Although the city at first blamed overcrowding for the incident, it later charged that the porch on the Wrightwood building was bigger than code allowed and constructed improperly and without permits. Building inspectors, however, never cited those violations before the collapse. In the aftermath of the collapse, victims' families and injured survivors filed lawsuits against the property owner, manager, porch contractor and the city, the last of which a state appellate court ruled could not be held liable. The suits were ultimately settled with the property's insurance companies for a total of $16.6 million. The city also fined the property owner $108,000 and the porch contractor $25,000. It clarified and strengthened the building code and launched inspection sweeps. Officials created a 311 service request code for porch complaints and enacted a policy to inspect porches year-round rather than seasonally. 2006: Northwestern University coach Randy Walker died at 52 of a heart attack. He was at home in Wilmette at about 10 p.m. when he felt chest pains. He was rushed to Evanston Hospital but could not be revived. Pat Fitzgerald was named head coach on July 7, 2006. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Community mourns beloved shop owner, friend killed over weekend
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Livingston Avenue community is in mourning after a local business owner was shot and killed late Sunday night. People gathered outside Livingston Market Monday night to honor owner Jehad Alzaben. NBC4 was at the vigil for the 47-year-old, covering as police continue to search for a suspect in his death. Every single person said the same thing: Alzaben would do anything for anyone. People shared countless stories about how he would help those in need whether that be by giving them a job or giving them food and water. It's safe to say he will be missed dearly. 'He wasn't like a store owner. We don't look at Jehad like a store owner. We would come and see Jehad without spending money,' Randy Walker, a friend and former employee of Alzaben, said. Alzaben owned the Livingston Market at the corner of East Livingston and Fairwood for nearly 30 years. Those close to him described him as a big brother and a staple in the community. 'I've been knowing Jehad since I was 16 years old. It has been about 20 to 22 years now,' said Walker. ATV crash hospitalizes former OSU wide receiver, kills girlfriend Walker says there's nothing that Alzaben wouldn't do for the people he came in contact with, no matter how well he knew them. 'He gave people his money out of his own pockets. He fed the homeless like he was that man. He was him,' said Walker, 'We all know Jehad on a personal level. We all got our personal experiences with Jehad. So he wasn't just a store owner to this community. He was a brother, a father to a lot of people.' A store that used to bring the Livingston community so much joy is now filled with balloons and messages that read 'Rest Peacefully' and 'Long Live Jehad.' 'They really need to change this street to Jehad Ave. I ain't even had time to let it sink in, it's still mind blowing to me what happened. But it was unfortunate. Nobody should die doing business,' Walker said. Walker said they plan to meet outside the store on May 26 every year to celebrate Alzaben's life and legacy. Columbus police have not named any suspects or a possible motive as of publication, but the investigation continues. Police said they are investigating it as a homicide and ask anyone with information to call 614-645-4077, or report to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers anonymously at 614-461-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
