Today in Chicago History: John Belushi’s death shocks the city

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 5, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 75 degrees (1983)
  • Low temperature: 0 degrees (1978)
  • Precipitation: 0.99 inches (1946)
  • Snowfall: 9.2 inches (2013)
The Chicago Housing Authority’s Robert Taylor Homes development opened on March 5, 1962. (Chicago Tribune)

1962: The Robert Taylor Homes — then one of the largest public housing projects in the United States — opened and its first family moved in. The development had 28 high-rises with more than 4,230 units.

But the complex soon caved under devastating poverty and violence. In the end, the Robert Taylor high-rises failed a congressional “viability test,” which found it was cheaper to house residents elsewhere than to maintain the crumbling high-rise slums.

Demolition of the buildings began in May 1997.

Actor and Chicago native John Belushi was discovered dead on March 5, 1982 at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. (Chicago Tribune)
Actor and Chicago native John Belushi was discovered dead on March 5, 1982, at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. (Chicago Tribune)

1982: John Belushi was found dead at the Chateau Marmont, a Los Angeles hotel.

A coroner’s report later concluded Belushi died of “acute cocaine and heroin intoxication.”

Cathy Evelyn Smith was sentenced to three years in prison in 1986 for injecting Belushi with a fatal dose of cocaine and heroin. She was released in 1988.

Former Chicago White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox, who died in 1975, was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame on March 5, 1997. Fox was a 12-time All-Star who batted better than .300 six times and .288 during a 19-year career that included 14 with the Sox. (Chicago Tribune)
Former Chicago White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox, who died in 1975, was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on March 5, 1997. Fox was a 12-time All-Star who batted better than .300 six times and .288 during a 19-year career that included 14 with the Sox. (Chicago Tribune)

1997: Chicago White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.

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