Today in Chicago History: Lackluster coronavirus precautions cause CPS students to walk out

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 14, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Front page flashback: Jan. 15, 2022

Chicago Public Schools students participated in a walkout on Jan. 14, 2022, at their respective schools then later in the day outside CPS headquarters over what they felt was a lack of classroom safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Chicago Tribune)

2022: Chicago Public Schools students staged a walkout over the return to in-person learning amid lackluster COVID precautions.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 60 degrees (1928)
Low temperature: Minus 14 degrees (1979)
Precipitation: 1.1 inches (1871)
Snowfall: 6.3 inches (1929)

Bill Hewitt, who played for the Chicago Bears from 1932 to 1936, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame because many consider him the best two-way player of his era, 1932 to 1943. But he is best remembered for his stubborn refusal to wear a helmet until the league made a rules change that forced him to wear one. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1947: Former Chicago Bears end Bill Hewitt — one of the last NFL players to not wear a helmet — died at 37 after his car skidded off a wet road and hit a culvert in Pennsylvania.

In 1949, Halas decided to retire the uniform numbers of the most important players in team history. He chose three: Red Grange’s 77, Bronko Nagurski’s 3 and Hewitt’s 56.

From Halas to Hester: The 32 Chicago Bears inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hewitt was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 — with President Richard Nixon as the guest speaker.

Ends and backs view film of previous games during a grading session at Chicago Bears training camp on Aug. 19, 1960. At the projector is offensive backfield coach Chuck Mather. The Bears training camp is held in Rensselaer, Indiana. (Al Phillips/Chicago Tribune historical photo) — Ends and backs view film of previous games during a grading session at Chicago Bears training camp on Aug. 19, 1960. At the projector is offensive backfield coach Chuck Mather. The Bears training camp was held in Rensselaer, Indiana. (Al Phillips/Chicago Tribune)

1961: Chicago Bears end Willard Dewveall — who was no longer under contract with the team and was replaced when the Bears signed Mike Ditka — became the first NFL player to join the American Football League when he signed a deal with the Houston Oilers.

With attorneys nearby, Micheail Ward speaks during his sentencing hearing on Jan. 14, 2019 at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago. Ward was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery in the slaying of Hadiya Pendleton. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Pool) — With attorneys nearby, Micheail Ward speaks during his sentencing hearing on Jan. 14, 2019, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago. Ward was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery in the slaying of Hadiya Pendleton. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

2019: Micheail Ward was sentenced to 84 years in prison for the fatal January 2013 shooting of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton in Harsh Park.

More than two months after the Illinois Supreme Court allowed his conviction to remain overturned, a judge once again ordered Ward held in jail in March 2025 while awaiting trial.

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