RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2016
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing Tom Skilling’s 38 years of educating the public on severe weather activity in the Chicagoland region
Body
WHEREAS, at the age of 14, while attending West Aurora High School, Tom Skilling was hired by WKKD in Aurora, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, three years later, Tom joined WLXT-TV, still going to school during the day; and
WHEREAS, in 1970, Tom moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to study meteorology and journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while continuing to work in radio and television; and
WHEREAS, from 1975 to 1978 Tom worked for WITI-TV in Milwaukee, where he was rated the city’s number one meteorologist; and
WHEREAS, Tom joined WGN-TV on August 13, 1978 and has since 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; and
WHEREAS, for over 30 years, Tom was chief meteorologist on WGN Midday News and now appears weekdays on WGN Evening News, WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten; and
WHEREAS, in early 2004, Tom helped coordinate the Tribune Weather Center, which combines the meteorology resources and expertise of WGN-TV, CLTV and the Chicago Tribune in one location and includes the installation of a state-of-the-art computer graphics system that enables Tom and his team to track details of weather across Chicagoland; and
WHEREAS, since 1997, Tom has been a driving force behind the Chicago Tribune’s weather page, including his popular column, “Ask Tom Why,” in which he takes viewers’ questions and answers the “why” behind the weather; and
WHEREAS, in October 2008, Tom and the Weather Center started providing weather reports to WGN Radio; and
WHEREAS, Tom continues to be active in educating the public about the critical issue of climate change and has hosted several events, including World Environment Day programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the annual Fermilab Tornado and Severe Storms Seminar in Batavia, Illinois, which celebrated its 36th year in April; and
WHEREAS, Tom’s award-winning tornado documentaries, “It Sounded Like a Freight Train” and “When Lightning Strikes,” regarding the causes and effects of lightning, were widely distributed for use in educational and public awareness efforts; and
WHEREAS, Tom received an Emmy nomination for his work on “Tsunamis on American Shores,” which looked at the deadly tsunamis that have hit Alaska and won an Emmy for his documentary “The Sears Tower Versus Mother Nature”; and
WHEREAS, Tom received the 1997 Award for Outstanding Service by a Broadcast Meteorologist from the American Meteorology Society and has been honored by the Illinois Broadcasters Association for Best Weather Show in 2004, as well as the 2003, 2004 and 2008 Silver Dome Award for Best Television Weathercast; and
WHEREAS, WGN-TV received the environmental reporting award from the Audubon Society, an accomplishment that is due to Tom’s performance; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has honored Tom for holding free tornado and severe weather seminars each spring at the Fermilab National Accelerator complex in Batavia which educate people of all ages about the dynamics and after effects of severe weather; and
WHEREAS, a Fellow of the American Meteorological Association, Tom serves on their nominating committee and holds the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval; and
WHEREAS, for 38 years, Chicagolanders have relied on Tom Skilling daily, in good weather and especially in bad; and
WHEREAS, Tom has educated a generation of Chicago area residents on severe weather and the effects of climate change, has sparked interest in the intricacies of changing weather patterns and has helped people plan for the next day while pleasantly ending this one; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby recognize Tom Skilling’s 38 years of educating the public on severe weather activity in the Chicagoland region; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Tom Skilling.
Dated: August 4, 2016
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ; TIMOTHY BRADFORD; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; DAVID J. WALSH; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel