Today in Chicago History: Illinois confirms first COVID-19 case

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 24, 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: 65 degrees (1967)
  • Low temperature: Minus 15 degrees (1897)
  • Precipitation: 0.76 inches (1938)
  • Snowfall: 5.7 inches (1893)
The Chicago Bears introduced Dick Jauron, 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.

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)
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)
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 the 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 Hoffman Estates before being discharged.

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com

Related posts