The 2014 Year in Photos in Chicago

The people and events that made for the best photos of 2014 by Sun-Times staff and contributing photographers.

Firefighters work at the scene of a house Explosion and Fire at 8904 S. 55th Ct. in Oak Lawn January, 11, 2014. | Jim Boyce/For Sun-Times Media

The frozen Chicago River seen from Michigan Ave. Temperatures were near zero at the start of the day and expected to fall throughout the day with wind chills reaching -25 to -40 degrees. | Michael R. Schmidt/For Sun-Times Media

A Chicago Fire Dept. Diver holds a man’s walking cane as he rescues him off of the ice on Lake Michigan at 75th Street Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2014. | Brian Jackson/Sun-Times

Annie Avery and Alison Gross stand with their children Grace, 12 and Lily, 7 as they are married by Judge Michael Panter at the Cook County Marriage Court, Saturday February 22, 2014. | Jessica Koscielniak / Sun-Times

Highland High School’s Tanner Farmer, yells out after winning the 285 pound title in the 2A individual state finals of wrestling in February. | Vincent D. Johnson/for Sun-Times Media

“The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon participates in the 14th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 2, 2014. | Michael Jarecki/For Sun-Times Media

A single building catches the final light of the day in Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

Aerial view of the annual dyeing of the Chicago River that kicked off Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. | Lee Hogan/For Sun-Times Media

Noam Feifel and Daniel Gottesman of Chicago stop for a self portrait on Cubs opening day morning in Wrigleyville on April 4, 2014. | Al Podgorski/Chicago Sun-Times

Cardinal Francis George listens as the gospel is read after he blessed palms before Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, April 13, 2014. | Jessica Koscielniak / Sun-Times

The mother (in blue) finds out it’s her child is involved in the fatal bus accident in the 7700 block of South Shore Dr. Monday, May 26, 2014. | Brian Jackson/Sun-Times

Children on the scene said they were waiting along with 51-year-old ordained preacher Charles D. Short to buy ice cream from an ice cream truck when he was shot in the head and killed. One other man was shot and wounded as well in the 4200 block of South Princeton Avenue on May 30, 2014. | Alex Wroblewski/Sun-Times

A young girl was walking home before coming across a crime scene where two people were shot at West 59th Street & South Morgan Street in Chicago on May 5, 2014. | Alex Wroblewski/Sun-Times

York co-captain Alyssa Kovatchis compresses the ball with a header against Lyons Township.

| Jon Cunningham/For Sun-Times Media

Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford (50) reacts after letting in the game winning goal in overtime during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the LA Kings on Sunday, June 1, 2014. The LA Kings defeated the Blackhawks 5-4 and will advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. | Michael Jarecki/For Sun-Times Media

Seventeen year old Micahel Patton, laid in the street half submerged in water after he was shot and killed on the 600 block of east 50th place on the evening of June 30th during the height of a storm. Photojournalist Vincent Johnson and his wife tried to help Patton in his final moments as he died in front of their home. | Vincent D. Johnson/for Sun-Times Media

A strong spring storm blows into Chicago on June 18. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Lightning strikes the Willis Tower following a severe thunderstorm as seen from Solidarity Drive, Monday, June 30, 2014. | Guy Rhodes/For Sun-Times Media

Ericka Baker, 36, with her daughter Nashaunti Baker, 11, who was a friend of Shamiya Adams, a 11-year-old girl who was shot Friday night while at a sleepover at a friends house. The girls were getting ready to make s’mores before a bullet hit Adams who was pronounced dead Saturday morning. | Alex Wroblewski / Sun-Times

Hundreds of mourners gathered on July 26, 2014 at Forest Park church outside of Chicago to say goodbye to 11-year-old Shamiya Adams, a 11-year-old girl killed by a stray bullet while at a friends sleepover just over one week before on Chicago’s West Side. | Alex Wroblewski / Sun-Times

Fans react at the World Cup viewing party after as the USA missed an scoring opportunity July 1, 2014. | Jessica Koscielniak / Chicago Sun-Times

Michelle Poplawski cheers for the USA soccer team as she is being held up by her boyfriend Mike Dow, both 18 of Joliet, Tuesday afternoon at Soldier Field. | Michael Schmidt/Sun-Times

The Blue Angels, a United States Navy flight demonstration squadron makes a fly-by in preparation for this weekend’s Chicago Air and Water Show. | Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times

A fashion photo shoot takes place at the 31st Street Harbor on August 10. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Cindy Petersen of Hanover Park (left) and her friend Lexine Salva of Bartlett pose as Salva’s dad Joffrey Salva takes their photo near the Adler Planetarium Monday afternoon then they headed for the 12th Street Beach. | Michael Schmidt/Sun-Times

Lorde performs on the first day of Lollapalooza on Friday, Aug. 12. | Alex Wroblewski / Sun-Times

Overnight storms left several streets and homes flooded in the 8600 block of Natchez in Burbank Friday, August, 22, 2014. | Jim Boyce/For Sun-Times Media

Fans line up to try to catch a glimpse of One Direction on August 30 outside the Park Hyatt. The group was in town for a two-day set of shows at Soldier Field. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Darion Radcliff, 13, who plays catcher and outfield for the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars, took the field at Jackie Robinson Park Wednesday morning to celebrate the team’s national championship in the Little League World Series. | Ashlee Rezin/for Sun-Times Media

A lone sailboat coast by downtown Chicago on September 8. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Bruce Rauner spoke to the Women for Rauner Coffee and Conversation at the Hotel Indigo on October 7, 2014. | Al Podgorski / Chicago Sun-Times

An unsuspecting family walks down Wells Street toward Ohio Street Friday afternoon past a giant cat. Well a photo of a cat on the wall of City Cat Doctor. | Michael Schmidt/Sun-Times

CTA trains pull in and out of the Wabash and Adams station downtown on October 15. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Workers demolish the bleachers at Wrigley Field on October 16 as a controversial renovation gets underway. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Photographers take in a sunrise over Lake Michigan on October 19. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

President Barack Obama headlined an early voting rally for Gov. Pat Quinn on Sunday at Chicago State University’s Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center. | Ashlee Rezin/for Sun-Times Media

IHSA girls tennis state doubles champions Katherine Harvey (left) and Vinaya Rao of Stevenson embrace at the end of their championship match against Erika Oku and Stephanie Dolehide of Hinsdale Central.

| Jon Cunningham/For Sun-Times Media

The moon shines on a thin tightrope, attached to the Leo Burnett building, that daredevil Nik Walled would traverse a few hours later on November 2. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Incumbent candidate Illinois State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka makes an acceptance speech at the Hilton Chicago after her victory on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2014. | Ashlee Rezin/for Sun-Times Media

B.o.B. took selfies with students Wednesday morning and celebrated the “Get Schooled, Get Connected Challenge” at Alcott College Prep on the North Side. | Ashlee Rezin/for Sun-Times Media

A small plane crashed into a home in the 6500 block of South Knox. Tuesday, November 18, 2014 | Brian Jackson/ Sun-Times

The funeral procession of former Mayor Jane Byrne passes by City Hall on way to the cemetery. | Alex Wroblewski/Sun-Times

Archbishop Blase Cupich said Mass at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish in the Pilsen neighborhood on November 30, 2014. He greeted the parishioners afterwards. | Al Podgorski/Sun-Times Media

Firefighters on the scene of a natural gas explosion at a house at 2148 w 107th Pl. Tuesday, December 2, 2014 | Brian Jackson/ Sun-Times

Protesters stopped in front of a couple McDonald’s Restaurants in downtown Chicago to register their feelings about a higher minimum wage. About 100 marchers were at this McDonald’s by the Thompson Center on December 4, 2014. | Al Podgorski/Sun-Times Media

A competitor leaps a hurdle on the Montrose Beach course of the Illinois State Cyclocross Championship on December 17. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times

Delores Bailey grieves for her son Demario as she left the church. Friends, classmates, teachers and family members came to New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood to say goodbye to Demario Bailey, a 15-year-old boy shot and killed over his winter coat. | Al Podgorski / Sun-Times Media

Patrons take advantage of mild temperatures December 26 to skate on the new skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. | Craig M. Newman / Sun-Times