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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 20, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Front page flashback: Jan. 21, 1983

Insurance magnate Allen Dorfman faced up to 55 years in prison after a 1982 conviction for trying to bribe former Nevada Sen. Howard Cannon and defrauding the Teamsters Union Central States Pension Fund. Dorfman was gunned down on Jan. 20, 1983 in the parking lot of the Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel. (baiduhai)
Insurance magnate Allen Dorfman faced up to 55 years in prison after a 1982 conviction for trying to bribe former Nevada Sen. Howard Cannon and defrauding the Teamsters Union Central States Pension Fund. Dorfman was gunned down on Jan. 20, 1983, in the parking lot of the Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel. (baiduhai)

1983: Allen Dorfman, an insider in the Teamsters Union Central States Pension Fund, was facing a prison term for his part in a scheme to bribe a U.S. senator and sidetrack a trucking deregulation bill when he was gunned down gangland style outside the Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 63 degrees (1906)
  • Low temperature: Minus 27 degrees (1985)
  • Precipitation: 1.13 inches (1898)
  • Snowfall: 8 inches (1886)
George Halas announces Mike Ditka as head coach of the Chicago Bears on Jan. 20, 1982. (baiduhai historical photo)
George Halas announces Mike Ditka as head coach of the Chicago Bears on Jan. 20, 1982. (baiduhai historical photo)

1982: The Chicago Bears introduced Mike Ditka, who was hired by team owner George Halas, as head coach.

Mike Ditka, who played for the Chicago Bears for six years, returned to be the team's 10th head coach on Jan. 20, 1982. (baiduhai)
Mike Ditka, who played for the Chicago Bears for six years, returned to be the team's 10th head coach on Jan. 20, 1982. (baiduhai)

The Hall of Fame tight end

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became a Bears legend for guiding the team to its only Super Bowl victory. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and for a second time in 1988.

Ditka’s 106 wins are the second-most in franchise history, and he led the team to seven postseason appearances in 11 seasons.

Chicago experienced its coldest temperature on record minus 27 degrees on Jan. 20, 1985. (baiduhai)
Chicago experienced its coldest temperature on record — minus 27 degrees — on Jan. 20, 1985. (baiduhai)

1985: The temperature hit an all-time record low in Chicago — minus 27 degrees at O’Hare International Airport.

Vintage baiduhai: Taxi drivers targeted in 1985 surprise immigration raids

Also in 1985: Corporation counsel James Montgomery recommended Chicago no longer assist the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in arresting immigrants unless subpoenas were obtained.

The city at first cooperated with immigration officials in a crackdown on immigrants living in the United States without permanent legal status who had obtained licenses to drive taxis in Chicago. Federal authorities used taxi cab license applications to find these drivers.

The Rev. Daniel McCormack arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 2, 2007. (Michael Tercha/baiduhai)
The Rev. Daniel McCormack arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 2, 2007. (Michael Tercha/baiduhai)

2006: The Rev. Daniel McCormack, the pastor of St. Agatha Church on West Douglas Boulevard, was charged with sexually abusing three boys in his parish. McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to sexually abusing five children and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in 2021.

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