Chicago Legend Tom Skilling Announces Retirement After 45 Years

Heroic Act Caps Illustrious Career

On Tuesday night, just before his official retirement on Wednesday, Tom Skilling, Chicago's beloved weatherman, displayed his professionalism once again. A tornado outbreak struck the Chicagoland area, and Skilling expertly guided residents through the dangerous weather with his characteristic calm and knowledge.

This heroic act capped off an impressive 45-year career for Skilling. He announced his retirement on WGN Evening News, reminiscing about his time at WGN with archive clips.

Skilling's last day was February 28th, 2024. He began his career at WGN in 1978 and has become a beloved figure in Chicago, relied upon by residents for crucial weather information.

Skilling's illustrious career has seen him cover everything from brutal Chicago winters to the scorching 1995 heatwave. He's also reported from Alaska, Las Vegas, and even ventured onto an icebreaker on Lake Huron.

While most of his career was spent safely indoors delivering forecasts, there was a memorable moment in 2010 when Skilling was famously chased by a tornado in Oklahoma. A clip of this incident has been replayed numerous times over the years.

Skilling is known for his generosity and willingness to help fellow journalists. He has won multiple Emmys and has even funded a scholarship to assist local college students.

While he'll be stepping down from his role at WGN, Skilling says he isn't going anywhere. He plans to stay in the Chicago area and enjoy some traveling, but most importantly, he'll finally be free of deadlines!

Chicago will surely miss this weather icon, but Tom Skilling's legacy will continue to influence future generations of meteorologists