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2013 was an eventful year in Chicago. As we look to 2014, we wanted to take this opportunity to look back on the year that was, including some of the incredible stories that helped make this year, for better or worse, so special. We reached out to some of the city's most respected trendsetters and influencers in music, food and drink and more to share some of their "year's best" picks, in addition to weighing in ourselves. We'll be rolling them out on the daily through New Year's Day.
Taking a look back at Chicago's year in news, 2013 had no shortage of stories that shocked, delighted, saddened and intrigued us.
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Some stories, like the introduction of Divvy bike share (now on pace to become the largest bike sharing program in North America) gave us something to cheer for; other stories, like the slaying of 15-year-old inaugural performer Hadiya Pendleton at a Bronzeville park, broke our hearts.
In all, the following stories were among the most important, most affecting and most-read in 2013. For many of them, the stories aren't finished either, so we've updated each with the latest info on where the big stories of the year stand heading into 2014.
The Nation Mourns Hadiya Pendleton
AP Photo/Courtesy of Damon Stewart
The January death of Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton struck a chord nationwide, renewing the call for gun control reform in the country while putting a laser focus on the Windy City's homicide problem.
First lady Michelle Obama returned home to attend the 15-year-old's funeral, and the Pendleton family was invited to be the Obamas' guests at the State of the Union address.
In March, Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, were charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and other offenses. Both pleaded not guilty and were both denied bond. They remained jailed following a status hearing in September.
Earlier this year, Senate Republicans blocked new gun control measures, including a gun trafficking bill Sen. Mark Kirk -- who broke party rank -- sponsored and named in Hadiya's honor.
Pendleton's parents, meanwhile, have become strong gun control advocates and have created a youth support foundation in their daughter's name. In December, the city offered the foundation virtually rent-free office space in Bronzeville for several years.
First lady Michelle Obama returned home to attend the 15-year-old's funeral, and the Pendleton family was invited to be the Obamas' guests at the State of the Union address.
In March, Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, were charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and other offenses. Both pleaded not guilty and were both denied bond. They remained jailed following a status hearing in September.
Earlier this year, Senate Republicans blocked new gun control measures, including a gun trafficking bill Sen. Mark Kirk -- who broke party rank -- sponsored and named in Hadiya's honor.
Pendleton's parents, meanwhile, have become strong gun control advocates and have created a youth support foundation in their daughter's name. In December, the city offered the foundation virtually rent-free office space in Bronzeville for several years.
The Film World Loses A Legend As Roger Ebert Passes
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
The legendary film critic passed away in April at the age of 70.
Since his passing, his website, RogerEbert.com, was revamped and a fundraiser is being held to erect a life-sized bronze statue of Ebert near his hometown of Champaign, Ill.
A documentary by Chicago-based Kartemquin Films (the house behind one of Eberts all-time favorite documentaries, "Hoop Dreams") based on Ebert's memoir, "Life Itself" is set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014.
Since his passing, his website, RogerEbert.com, was revamped and a fundraiser is being held to erect a life-sized bronze statue of Ebert near his hometown of Champaign, Ill.
A documentary by Chicago-based Kartemquin Films (the house behind one of Eberts all-time favorite documentaries, "Hoop Dreams") based on Ebert's memoir, "Life Itself" is set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014.
Chicago Schools' Sweeping Shutdown
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
After enacting the largest single-wave school shutdown in recent U.S. history, tough times are still ahead for students of Chicago Public Schools. With more than 50 schools closed or consolidated, still more will be "phased out," particularly in the city's poorest communities.
A Tribune analysis in October showed 48 percent of students displaced from their home schools opted not to enroll in the "welcoming" schools selected for them by CPS.
Despite the fact the district cited an "underutilization crisis" as the reason for the sweeping closures, officials have now proposed 21 new charter schools .
A Tribune analysis in October showed 48 percent of students displaced from their home schools opted not to enroll in the "welcoming" schools selected for them by CPS.
Despite the fact the district cited an "underutilization crisis" as the reason for the sweeping closures, officials have now proposed 21 new charter schools .
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Divvy Bike Share Rolls Into Town
After Chicago's first large-scale public bike sharing program debuted this summer, officials say it's already on pace to become the largest bike-share system in North America. A projected total of 400 stations will be installed by spring of 2014 with another 75 planned with the help of a $3 million federal transportation grant. Former Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein said the program will extend to Englewood in 2014; stations may also expand to Evanston and Oak Park.
Mayhem In Cornell Square Park
AP Photo/Sun-Times Media, Chandler West
On Sept. 19, a group of people with at least one military-grade assault rifle fired on a crowd gathered for a pickup basketball game at Cornell Square Park on Chicago's South Side. After the spray of bullets subsided, 13 people, including a 3-year-old boy, had been injured. By Nov. 13, seven men in all had been charged in connection with the shooting. The men, all in their 20s, face a variety of charges ranging from attempted murder to obstructing justice. All seven men were denied bond and remain in jail.Meanwhile, 3-year-old Deonta Howard, the littlest victim, has largely recovered from the bullet wounds to his face though the child still faces about a decade of plastic surgery as he grows.
Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson Make Prison A Family Affair
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
2013 was a spectacular fall from grace for the former political power couple of ex-Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, former Chicago City Councilman Sandi Jackson. In August, a federal judge sentenced Jackson Jr. to 2 1/2 years in prison for illegally spending $750,000 in campaign funds on lavish -- and often bizarre -- personal items. Sandi Jackson was sentenced to a year in jail for filing false tax returns. On account of the couple's two young children, a judge allowed the couple to serve their sentences consecutively rather than concurrently. Jackson Jr. was the first to head to jail but was initially turned away from a federal prison in North Carolina for reporting too early. The couple, who owe $750,000 in restitution, have listed their D.C. mansion to help pay their dues.
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An Architect Of Chicago's Fine Dining Scene Dies
AP Photo/Jason DeCrow
The Nov. 5 death of celebrity chef Charlie Trotter rocked the culinary world, though the icon's loss was felt most deeply in his hometown of Chicago. The 54-year-old is largely credited with transforming Chicago's culinary scene into a serious wine and fine dining destination. Along the way, Trotter also guided many of the city and the nation's most renowned chefs like Matthias Merges, Graham Elliot, Homaro Cantu and Grant Achatz. Though an autopsy was initially inconclusive, the medical examiner later declared Trotter had died of a stroke related to high blood pressure.
Marriage Equality Comes to Illinois
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
After a protracted political battle, the Land of Lincoln became the the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage in November.Though the law takes effect June, 1, 2014, Patricia Ewert and Vernita Gray (pictured) became the first same-sex couple to wed in Illinois after filing a lawsuit to receive an expedited license on account of Gray's terminal cancer. In December, a federal judge ruled that same-sex couples may seek expedited marriage licenses for medical reasons.
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Deadly Tornadoes Ravage Central Illinois
AP Photo/Journal Star, Fred Zwicky
After a series of devastating tornadoes ripped through central Illinois, hard-hit towns like Washington, Coal City and Peoria are still struggling to regain a sence of normalcy. Despite the onset of winter weather, affected villages and towns are regularly meeting to discuss rebuilding efforts. In towns like Gifford, rebuilding permits are already being reissued as local officials work help residents start over and -- perhaps most importantly -- keep them from relocating to a new town.Plainfield village administrator Brian Murphy told NBC the rebuilding effort goes "in fits and starts" but says the triggering effects of the storm will stay with its victims -- particularly the young ones -- for a long time.
Rod Blagojevich's Last Chance For Freedom
Charles Rex Arbogast
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is making his last-ditch effort for freedom more than a year into his 14-year prison sentence on corruption charges.An appeals court agreed to hear Blagojevich's arguments, which were delivered in December before a three-panel judge. A ruling on Blagojevich's appeal isn't expected for several weeks. Blagojevich's lawyers aim to have the 14-year sentence -- among the longest sentences ever imposed for political corruption -- reduced or overturned entirely.