WGN Radio Timeline

2000

February 8 - Morning show host Bob Collins, piloting his private plane just hours after the conclusion of that day's program, dies following a midair collision. The grieving station staff holds what amounts to an on-air wake to share their thoughts with his many equally stunned fans. Four days later, WGN carries a live broadcast of his memorial service from Holy Name Cathedral.

March 6 - After filling in for several weeks, Spike O'Dell officially becomes WGN's new morning host. It is a position he accepts with deeply mixed emotions. Each year, Spike along with Orion Samuelson and the rest of the morning crew raise a toast to Bob Collins on February 28, Bob's birthday. On March 6, Steve Cochran also joins WGN's full-time staff as early afternoon host.

March 29 & 30 - Pat Hughes and Ron Santo broadcast from Tokyo, Japan, as the Cubs play the Mets to open the season. First pitch for both games is at 4:00am Chicago time.

April 17 - Following several months of renovation, a completely rebuilt Showcase Studio opens on Michigan Avenue. The studio is more popular than ever and is in use on most weekdays almost continuously from 9:00am-9:00pm, and for many shows on weekends.

2001

September 11 - Morning host Spike O'Dell and news anchor Tom Petersen provide descriptions of video images of smoke pouring from New York's World Trade Center. Petersen reads one of the first bulletins, indicating that "a plane crashed into one of the towers." WGN's coverage of that tragic day would include a focus on Chicago's reaction.

2003

September 22 - Inspired by a conversation on the John Williams Show, three dedicated Cub fans travel to Houston to attempt to "Reverse the Curse" by transferring the infamous Billy Goat curse from the Cubs to the Astros. As John's fans listen thanks to a cell phone, a goat named Virgil Homer is refused access to Houston's Minute Maid Park and a curse against the Astros is read. Although it appears for a while that the Cubs long World Series drought might finally come to an end, the Cubs would eventually lose 4 games to 3 to the Florida Marlins in the National League Championship Series.

2004

April 21 - One day after a deadly tornado outbreak causes major hardship in areas including Utica, IL, WGN Radio and the McCormick Tribune Foundation set up the Utica Tornado Relief Campaign. Listeners donate via phone, mail, and online, raising over $370,000 after a 50 cent on the dollar match by the Foundation.

June 1 - WGN marks its 80th anniversary with a commemorative CD and the launch of wgngold.com, a website dedicated to the long history of the station.

October 21 - The corner of Rush and Delaware is designated "Honorary Wally Phillips Way" in a ceremony attended by Ward Quaal, Mike Ditka, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Alderman Burt Natarus, Wally's family, and many of his friends, colleagues and fans. Wally joins other WGN Radio figures, including Bob Collins, Jack Brickhouse and Paul Harvey, who have received this type of honor.

2005

September 8- Spike O'Dell broadcasts live from the Chicago Historical Society for the first stop in the WGN Radio Hometown Voices Tour. This monthly series of remote broadcasts would take WGN's popular daytime shows to the listeners, broadcasting from landmarks and gathering places throughout Chicago's neighborhoods and the suburbs.

2007

July 20 - WGN Radio hosts the first 720 Day, a daylong fundraiser for the Neediest Kids Fund, a Fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. During 24 hours, the station raised $131,156.79, including a 50 cent on the dollar match from the Foundation, which would go directly to kids in need in Chicagoland.