Today in Chicago History: First COVID-19 case confirmed in Illinois

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 24, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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(Sports) front page flashback: Jan. 24, 1962

Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in Major League Baseball, and Bob Feller were elected on. Jan. 23, 1962 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It was the first time in six years that so-called modern players were chosen by voters. (Chicago Tribune)

1962: Jackie Robinson became the first Black baseball player elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 65 degrees (1967)
Low temperature: Minus 15 degrees (1897)
Precipitation: 0.76 inches (1938)
Snowfall: 5.7 inches (1893)

An exterior view of Sherman House from the intersection of Clark and Randoph Streets in an undated photo. The hotel was closed in 1973 then demolished in 1980. The James R. Thompson Center was constructed in its place. The famous College Inn is on the left. (Chicago Tribune historical photo) — A view of Sherman House from Clark and Randoph Streets in an undated photo. The hotel was closed in 1973 and demolished in 1980. The James R. Thompson Center was constructed in its place. The College Inn is on the left. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1973: The last guest checked out of the Sherman House hotel, which was then the oldest hotel in continuous operation in Illinois. It hosted a party in 1914 in honor of Col. William ”Buffalo Bill” Cody.

The State of Illinois building (later known as the Thompson Center) was built on the site after the former hotel was demolished in 1980.

The Chicago Bears introduced Dick Jauron, the team's 12th head coach, on Jan. 24, 1999. (Chicago Tribune) — The Chicago Bears introduced Dick Jauron as the team’s 12th head coach on Jan. 24, 1999. (Chicago Tribune)

1999: Dick Jauron was introduced as the Chicago Bears’ 12th head coach. He went 35-45 (.438) from 1999 to 2003.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator made the playoffs only once in five seasons, but it was a memorable one. Jauron’s 2001 Bears went 13-3 in dramatic fashion and won the NFC Central, earning him NFL Coach of the Year honors.

Michael Jordan takes in the United Center as he prepares to take on the Bulls on Jan. 24, 2003, at the United Center in Chicago. This marked Jordan's last professional game in Chicago. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune) — Michael Jordan takes in the United Center as he prepares to take on the Bulls on Jan. 24, 2003, at the United Center in Chicago. This marked Jordan’s last professional game in Chicago. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

2003: In his final professional game in Chicago, Michael Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation during player introductions. He told the crowd “I love you all very much” before scoring 11 points in the Washington Wizards’ 104-97 loss to the Bulls.

2009: Vincent Richardson — then 14 years old — was charged as a juvenile for impersonating a police officer in Chicago’s Grand Crossing District station. He went on patrol with a real officer for more than five hours on the South Side. Then-Superintendent Jody Weis called the incident “embarrassing to the department.”

Young cop impostor has another chance to work on better future

Richardson was arrested again in 2013 for pretending to be a Chicago cop and again in 2021.

Jim Thome played all but 529 of his 2,543 career games wearing other uniforms, yet the burly Peoria native, who was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Jan. 24, 2018, provided plenty of memorable moments as a member of the Chicago White Sox. (Chicago Tribune)

2018: Former White Sox slugger and Peoria native Jim Thome was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

On Jan. 24, 2020, a Chicago woman became the second person in the United States diagnosed with the coronavirus. (Chicago Tribune)

2020: A Chicago woman in her 60s who traveled to Wuhan, China, to care for her sick father became the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Illinois.

She returned to Chicago on Jan. 13 and, nationally, her diagnosis was second only to a Washington state man in his 30s who had traveled to the same region of China. Her husband was identified as the second case confirmed in Illinois. They both received treatment at Amita Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates before being discharged.

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