Just got back from 3 weeks in Japan. Flew United both ways from Honolulu to Narita. I have to say I never had flights this good on any air carrier.
For the life of me I cannot believe that there wasn’t someone on that flight who would not give up his seat for money.
It was a Sunday night flight, most people had to be to work on Monday.
The flight had already been delayed two hours.
They were not offering money but company credit that you could use on your next full price ticket.
At best you would have been up maybe $50 for a night in Chicago without your luggage.
Since you would not be there to get your luggage it is very likely your bags would have grown little legs and walked off. And the airline would have shrugged and say they got it to St Louis and after that it was not their problem.