Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus, appeared on WGN Evening News, WGN News at Nine, and WGN News at Ten. He celebrated his 45th anniversary with WGN-TV in August 2023, and officially retired from WGN-TV at the end of February 2024.
On Oct 12, Tom announced he would be retiring in February of 2024.
Starting his successful career at the unheard-of age of 14, Tom was hired by WKKD Radio in Aurora, IL, while attending West Aurora High School. He joined WLXT-TV three years later, while going to school during the day.
In 1970, Tom moved to Madison, WI to study meteorology and journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while continuing to work in radio and television. Tom’s first television job was at age 18 in Aurora, IL, at WLXT-Channel 60. Then on to WKOW-TV (ABC affiliate) and WTSO Radio in Madison, WI before going to work for WITI-TV Milwaukee from 1975-1978, where he was rated the city’s #1 meteorologist.
Tom joined WGN-TV on August 13, 1978. He has established himself as a respected meteorologist both locally and nationally, known for his in-depth reports, enthusiasm, and use of state-of-the-art technology. For over 30 years, Skilling was chief meteorologist on WGN Midday News as well as later newscasts. Tom Skilling has been awarded with three honorary doctorates from Lewis University, St. Mary’s of Minnesota, and Aurora University.
In early 2004, Tom helped coordinate the Tribune Weather Center, which combined the meteorology resources and expertise of WGN-TV, CLTV and the Chicago Tribune in one location. Starting 1997, Skilling was the driving force behind the Chicago Tribune’s weather page. Among the elements in the column was “Ask Tom Why,” in which Tom took viewers’ questions and answered the “why” behind the weather. In October 2008, Tom and the WGN-TV Weather Center started providing weather reports to WGN Radio. He also received an immense response for the WGNtv.com weather blog.
For over 38 years, Tom Skilling hosted a Tornado and Severe Storms Seminar at Fermilab. As host of the event, Skilling welcomed the ‘who’s who’ in the severe weather research and forecast community, including famed University of Chicago tornado researcher Dr. Ted Fujita. The Fermilab programs were attended by thousands over the years and streamed to even larger audiences online.
Tom has spoken and continues to speak at numerous events throughout the Chicagoland area discussing climate change. Some examples of his advocacy efforts include: hosting a talk to 200 area science teachers in Downers Grove, participating in a climate conference in Naperville, heading to Palatine to address an Energy Expo sponsored by the Sierra Club, and working with the Chicago Mayor’s office several times. He emceed a conference of local mayors from across the Chicagoland community addressing climate change, as well as an awards event for mayors recognizing environment efforts in member cities (mayors and their representatives for the world’s 40 biggest cities which included the mayors of Paris and Mexico City and the Deputy Mayors of New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC). Tom was awarded the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) as their “2018 Broadcast Pioneer” honoree. From recording a podcast with former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel about climate change to emceeing events, Tom has maintained a very busy schedule.
Friend Tom on Facebook at facebook.com/tomskilling