Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 11, according to the Tribune’s archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Front page flashback: Jan. 11, 2003
2003: Two days before leaving office, Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 164 death row inmates to life in prison without parole, citing a system “haunted by the demon of error.” Ryan pardoned four death row inmates, resulting in the release of three. Another three death row inmates had their sentences shortened to 40-year terms. The actions took 167 people off death row.
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
- High temperature: 61 degrees (1880)
- Low temperature: Minus 11 degrees (1977)
- Precipitation: 0.64 inches (1918)
- Snowfall: 5.9 inches (2011)
1895: Purdue University President James H. Smart and leaders from the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and University of Wisconsin met at the Palmer House to develop rules for the regulation of intercollegiate athletics.
1961: University of Pittsburgh All-American Mike Ditka signed a contract to play for George Halas and the Chicago Bears.
The Bears got Ditka in the first round of the NFL draft after winning a coin toss with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who tied them in the league standings. (The Bears and Steelers also tied in 1970 and had to settle for another coin toss. The Bears lost that one, which meant the Steelers chose quarterback Terry Bradshaw.)
1984: Mike Royko brought his column to the Tribune. Read it here.
Take a look back at Mike Royko’s Chicago Tribune columns on the 25th anniversary of his death
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