The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

Chicagoans Fill The Streets To Honor Don Cornelius

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 2, 2012 9:00PM

News of Soul Train founder Don Cornelius's suicide shocked Chicagoans especially hard, given the long-running program's Chicago roots. More news is emerging about Cornelius prior to his death. The Chicago Sun-Times has differing accounts as to his emotional state. Gossip columnist Bill Zwecker cited sources in saying that Cornelius had long battled psychological and emotional issues and may have even been bi-polar. Cornelius was also concerned about his financial well-being following a 2009 divorce.

Zwecker's fellow gossip columnist Stella Foster talked to friends of Cornelius who said he was upbeat and joking with them.

Meanwhile, Chicagoans took to Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park last night to honor Cornelius with a Soul Train dance line flash mob. We've put together a gallery of last night's festivities and included a video below.

We also included this one-man tribute to Cornelius that is impossible not to smile at.