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Today in Chicago History: ‘Svengoolie’ goes national

by | Apr 2, 2025 | Chicago Tribune

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 2, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago )

  • High temperature: 82 degrees (1963)
  • Low temperature: 18 degrees (1899)
  • Precipitation: 1.64 inches (1983)
  • Snowfall: 9.4 inches (1975)
A nearly eight-month strike, which the Tribune called “the most acrimonious and protracted labor dispute in American sports history,” between players and MLB owners ended April 2, 1995. (Chicago Tribune)

1995: After a 4 ½-hour meeting with Major League Baseball owners at the O’Hare Hilton in Chicago, acting commissioner Bud Selig said a nearly eight-month baseball strike was over. A 144-game season was scheduled to begin April 26.

Nearly four months after federal agents arrested him, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted on April 2, 2009, on 16 counts of racketeering, fraud and extortion. He pleaded not guilty. (Chicago Tribune)
Nearly four months after federal agents arrested him, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted on April 2, 2009, on 16 counts of racketeering, fraud and extortion. He pleaded not guilty. (Chicago Tribune)

2009: A federal grand jury indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on 16 counts, including racketeering, fraud and extortion. Also indicted were his brother, Robert (his charges were later dropped); a close friend and fundraiser, Chris Kelly; his chief of staff, John Harris; and a former chief of staff, Alonzo Monk.

Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo (left) and head coach Lovie Smith (right) introduce new quarterback Jay Cutler (center) at Friday press conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. April 3, 2009 (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune) ..OUTSIDE TRIBUNE CO.- NO MAGS, NO SALES, NO INTERNET, NO TV, CHICAGO OUT.. 00305461A Bears Cutler (football pro)
Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, left, and head coach Lovie Smith, right, introduce new quarterback Jay Cutler on April 3, 2009, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

Also in 2009: The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Kyle Orton, plus a first-round pick and a third-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft and a first-round pick in the 2010 draft to the Denver Broncos for quarterback Jay Cutler .

Rich Koz as Svengoolie, circa 1982. (Chicago Tribune archive) scanned from print, published on June 2, 1982. No attributiono on back of print could be a handout from the TV station.
Rich Koz as Svengoolie, circa 1982. (Chicago Tribune archive)

2011: “Svengoolie” went national. The show was broadcast across the country on Weigel Broadcasting’s Me-TV network for the first time.

Lori Lightfoot appears at an election night party at the the Hilton Chicago hotel Tuesday April 2, 2019, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Lori Lightfoot appears at an election night party at Hilton Chicago on April 2, 2019. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

2019: Lori Lightfoot became the first Black woman and first openly gay person elected mayor of Chicago.

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