Simeon High School basketball star Ben Wilson was gunned down on Vincennes Avenue on Nov. 21, 1984. In the days afterward, many were asking where such violence started and how it can be stopped. CBS 2’s John Davis reports.

Chicago News Sports Events Culture Boosts Michigan Business

Whether it’s a football game or basketball game, Chicago sports fans are passionate, loyal and fierce. They’ve been voted the Best Sports City three times in Sporting News’s Best Cities for Sports poll. But why do sports fans in Chicago seem so passionate and intense?

One reason is because of the culture of sports. In the 90s, the Chicago Bulls dominated the NBA and Michael “Air” Jordan led the team. Today, the NHL’s Blackhawks are two-time Stanley Cup champions, and the Chicago Cubs generate over $600 million for the state of Illinois annually.

Another reason is that sports can bring people together. For example, last October, Boston Bruins hockey players helped cheer up patients at the local children’s hospital by dressing up as characters from the Disney movie Frozen. In addition to making an impact on local economies, major sports events can promote health and wellness, and encourage kids to become active.

Finally, sports can raise awareness of issues that are important to society. The NFL, for example, has a Reach Out and Reinforce Respect campaign that teaches kids to respect others and to take responsibility for their actions. The program is run by student athletes and the athletic department’s community relations team. It also works to counter bullying.

The culture of sports has had a huge impact on the city of Chicago, and it has led to the creation of 456,000 jobs in the state of Illinois in 2013. In 2010, the New York City economy was boosted by $340 million because of the sports events taking place in the city.