Nisei Lounge in Wrigleyville pays tribute to Tom Skilling ahead of his retirement

As WGN-TV celebrates Tom Skilling’s retirement, we’ll be looking back with a series of stories on his history with the station and the memories that he brought into households for 45 years.

CHICAGO — Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling is preparing to sign off for the last time as he gears up for retirement after 45 years with WGN.

As a tribute, a Wrigleyville staple tipped its cap to the Chicago legend over the weekend.

In celebration of his upcoming retirement, the “Nisei Lounge,” located in the 3400 block of North Sheffield Avenue, posted a sign on Sunday thanking Skilling.

Skilling, a fixture of Chicago television and beloved by generations, announced on Oct. 12 that he will be retiring after 45 years at WGN.

Skilling successful career started in Aurora when he was just 14, and still in high school, when he had a series of radio and TV jobs in Illinois and Wisconsin before coming to WGN-TV in August of 1978.

Tom Skilling’s last broadcast at WGN-TV will be on Wednesday, Feb. 28.