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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Ozzy Osbourne sings seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 17, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) Vintage Chicago Tribune: Our grand, old flag1915: Lucy Derwent of Rockford won a $25 prize (almost $800 in today's dollars) from the Daughters of the American Revolution for her design of a state flag for Illinois — a field of blue on which a circle of white bears the state's coat of arms. Derwent, who later lived in the Chicago area, presented her prize to the Rockford chapter of the D.A.R. 1970: 'Soul Train' premiered in Chicago on WCIU-TV with a budget so tight it couldn't afford color cameras or a dance floor bigger than a typical living room. But the show was an instant hit in Chicago, and it started consuming the after-school viewing time of a young, African American audience that other teen-oriented shows, including Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand,' largely ignored. 1984: One person died and 47 were injured when two Chicago Transit Authority rapid transit trains collided at Montrose Avenue station on the O'Hare Line. 2003: Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon Osbourne sang 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game' during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field. Near the end of the broadcast, WGN-Ch. 9 showed a replay of legendary Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully giving the thumbs up after Osbourne's rendition. 'If you get the seal of approval from Hall of Famer Vin Scully, you know you're doing OK,' Cubs announcer Chip Caray said. 2010: After 14 days of deliberations, a six-man, six-woman jury convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on just one of the 24 felony counts he faced — a charge that he had lied to FBI agents about his intense involvement in campaign fundraising. At his second trial, in 2011, Blagojevich was found guilty on the more widespread allegations, including the Senate seat charges, trying to shake down a children's hospital leader in exchange for sending money approved for pediatric services, and seeking a $100,000 contribution from a horse track owner in exchange for signing favorable legislation. In 2020, President Donald Trump, a Republican later convicted of felonies himself, commuted Blagojevich's 14-year sentence to about eight years served. How many presidential pardons or sentence commutations have been granted to people from Illinois?Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Chicago Tribune
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: The one where Abraham Lincoln got mad — like, really mad — at the Tribune
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 27, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1858: 'How, in God's name, do you let such paragraphs into the Tribune?' Abraham Lincoln furiously scribbled in Springfield on June 27, 1858, firing off a gruff note to Charles H. Ray, the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Press & Tribune, then in business for only 11 years. Lincoln scholar and Dickinson College professor Matthew Pinsker described the letter to the Tribune as 'the angriest, nastiest written statement Lincoln ever produced (at least as far as we know).' 1970: More a march than a parade, the city's Gay Liberation Movement staged its first rally and procession as part of Gay Pride Week. A short Tribune story the next day said 150 people listened to speakers in Bughouse Square (now Washington Square Park) before walking to the Civic Center (now Daley Plaza) where they formed a chain around the Picasso statue and shouted, 'Gay power to gay people.' 1975: Lee Trevino and two other golfers were hospitalized after being struck by lightning while playing in the Western Open at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook. Trevino was knocked out and hospitalized for two days. 'My heart stopped, and the doctor told me if it wasn't in such good shape, I'd have been gone,' he said in 1991. 1986: Hard Rock Cafe opened in Chicago. Mayor Harold Washington and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon were among its first guests. TV host Oprah Winfrey attended the opening with Stedman Graham, who the Tribune described as 'very tall and very handsome.' The restaurant closed in March. 2011: At his second trial, Rod Blagojevich was found guilty on widespread allegations, including attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama, trying to shake down a children's hospital leader in exchange for sending money approved for pediatric services, and seeking a $100,000 contribution from a horse track owner in exchange for signing favorable legislation. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Pardon me — Chicagoans who received clemency from a US presidentAfter being released from a federal prison in Colorado, Blagojevich returned to Chicago and proclaimed himself a 'Trumpocrat.' President Donald Trump, convicted of felonies himself, commuted Blagojevich's 14-year sentence to about eight years served on Feb. 18, 2020. 2016: Chicago Cubs outfielder Kris Bryant became the first player in major league history — and the youngest player in Cubs history — to hit three home runs and two doubles in a game. Bryant also set a franchise record with 16 total bases, surpassing the previous mark of 14. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans, some Democrats and even ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich weigh in on ex-Speaker Michael Madigan's sentence
In what's become somewhat customary once an Illinois political titan falls, leaders throughout the state responded with condemnation and called for reforms upon hearing Friday that ex-Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison and fined $2.5 million on federal corruption charges. House Republican leader Tony McCombie of Savanna and Senate Republican leader John Curran of Downers Grove called for bipartisan ethics reforms in the wake of the sentencing, with Curran specifically requesting committee hearings and votes on potential changes — something that didn't happen this session. Madigan's sentencing was 'a stark and shameful reminder of the corruption that has plagued Illinois government for far too long,' McCombie said in a statement. 'Justice was served — but the damage to public trust runs deep.' But Illinois' last prominent statewide politician who went to federal prison, former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, held back on the chance to take a swipe at a bitter nemesis when Madigan was sentenced. Though the two were Democrats, they feuded for nearly all six years Blagojevich was in office between 2003 and 2009. 'When that guy, Madigan, was on the top of the mountain, they were all kissing his ass,' Blagojevich said. 'Now they're going to be stomping all over his grave. And it's really, it's really sort of an unappealing side of human nature.' Blagojevich said Madigan's conviction underscores the systemic problems in politics and government in the state Capitol. 'Is the system in Springfield corrupt, in many ways, absolutely,' Blagojevich said in an interview with the Tribune while insisting he didn't break the law. 'It's a system, I've been saying this from the beginning, it all too often works for itself on the backs of the people.' Blagojevich — whose 14-year federal prison sentence for corruption was commuted by President Donald Trump, who ultimately also pardoned Blagojevich — didn't want to celebrate Madigan's prison sentence despite the two's often-tense relationship. 'I just don't think it's right for me to kick a man when he's down,' Blagojevich said. 'What's happening now to him, I know what it's like. And it's really easy for these politicians to get on their high horses and start kicking someone, stomping on someone.' Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park who is facing a potential fine of nearly $10 million from the Illinois State Board of Elections for improper political fundraising, said Friday's sentence represented 'a solemn reminder' that the duty of public office holders is to serve 'and that there is accountability for those who do not.'
Chicago Tribune
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Republicans, some Democrats and even ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich weigh in on ex-Speaker Michael Madigan's sentence
In what's become somewhat customary once an Illinois political titan falls, leaders throughout the state responded with condemnation and called for reforms upon hearing Friday that ex-Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in federal prison and fined $2.5 million on federal corruption charges. House Republican leader Tony McCombie of Savanna and Senate Republican leader John Curran of Downers Grove called for bipartisan ethics reforms in the wake of the sentencing, with Curran specifically requesting committee hearings and votes on potential changes — something that didn't happen this session. Madigan's sentencing was 'a stark and shameful reminder of the corruption that has plagued Illinois government for far too long,' McCombie said in a statement. 'Justice was served — but the damage to public trust runs deep.' But Illinois' last prominent statewide politician who went to federal prison, former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, held back on the chance to take a swipe at a bitter nemesis when Madigan was sentenced. Though the two were Democrats, they feuded for nearly all six years Blagojevich was in office between 2003 and 2009. 'When that guy, Madigan, was on the top of the mountain, they were all kissing his ass,' Blagojevich said. 'Now they're going to be stomping all over his grave. And it's really, it's really sort of an unappealing side of human nature.' Blagojevich said Madigan's conviction underscores the systemic problems in politics and government in the state Capitol. 'Is the system in Springfield corrupt, in many ways, absolutely,' Blagojevich said in an interview with the Tribune while insisting he didn't break the law. 'It's a system, I've been saying this from the beginning, it all too often works for itself on the backs of the people.' Blagojevich — whose 14-year federal prison sentence for corruption was commuted by President Donald Trump, who ultimately also pardoned Blagojevich — didn't want to celebrate Madigan's prison sentence despite the two's often-tense relationship. 'I just don't think it's right for me to kick a man when he's down,' Blagojevich said. 'What's happening now to him, I know what it's like. And it's really easy for these politicians to get on their high horses and start kicking someone, stomping on someone.' Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park who is facing a potential fine of nearly $10 million from the Illinois State Board of Elections for improper political fundraising, said Friday's sentence represented 'a solemn reminder' that the duty of public office holders is to serve 'and that there is accountability for those who do not.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here are all of the celebrities Trump has pardoned so far
President Donald Trump added to his list of pardoned celebrities this week, including reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and rapper NBA YoungBoy. Trump's pardons and commutations in his first term and so far in his second feature a number of public figures, including several rappers and an actor who participated in the Jan. 6 riots. Here's a list of celebrity pardons granted by Trump so far. The stars of "Chrisley Knows Best," which ran for 10 seasons on the USA Network, were released from prison Wednesday after being granted their presidential pardons. The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of swindling $36 million out of banks in the Atlanta area and committing years of tax evasion. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years and Julie Chrisley to 7 years. The president claimed the couple was "prosecuted because they were celebrities.' Rapper NBA YoungBoy, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, was pardoned by Trump on Wednesday. Gaulden was sentenced to two years in prison in 2024 after acknowledging he possessed weapons despite being a convicted felon, according to The Associated Press. "I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist," the rapper said in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday. The former Illinois governor was pardoned on Feb. 10 following convictions of wire fraud, lying to an FBI agent, extortion attempts and soliciting bribes more than a decade ago. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was impeached and removed from office in 2009. But in between trials and before receiving his 14-year sentence, Blagojevich also appeared on Trump's reality TV show, "Celebrity Apprentice," as a contestant in 2010. Trump commuted Blagojevich's sentence in 2020. The "Anchorman" and "Mr. Show" actor and comedian was one of the 1,500 pardons and commuted sentences Trump issued in January to those involved with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Johnston was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day for obstructing officers during a civil disorder, a felony offense, in October. Even before his sentencing, Johnston lost his role voicing a character on the animated show "Bob's Burgers." Hip hop star Lil Wayne, whose legal name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was one of Trump's 143 last-minute pardons and commuted sentences of his first term. The "Lollipop" rapper pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge in December 2020 after carrying a handgun on a private jet from California to Florida. Carter was previously convicted on felony weapon charges, making it illegal for him to possess firearms under federal law. Carter is also the founder and CEO of record label Young Money Entertainment. Rapper and singer Kodak Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was pardoned alongside Lil Wayne at the end of Trump's first term. The "No Flockin" singer was sentenced to 46 months in prison on federal weapon charges after admitting he falsified information on federal forms to purchase firearms, obtaining two handguns and one semiautomatic weapon. This article was originally published on
