Today in Chicago History: Blizzard of 1979 Hits the City Hard

On January 12, 1979, Chicago faced a massive blizzard, dropping over 20 inches of snow and impacting city operations for days.

Today in Chicago History: Blizzard of 1979 Hits the City Hard
Today in Chicago History: Blizzard of 1979 Hits the City Hard

Chicago: Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to January 12, 1979. That day, a huge blizzard hit the city, dumping over 20 inches of snow. It was a wild winter, with nearly 90 inches of snow that season, making it one for the record books.

Mayor Michael Bilandic tried to manage the chaos by ordering snowplows to clear parking lots. But, honestly, it didn’t go well. Cars were stuck everywhere, and garbage collection was delayed for over a week. People were frustrated, and mail was late too.

Instead of owning up to the mess, Bilandic pointed fingers, saying police would ticket cars left on the streets. He even told those struggling to move their cars to explain their situation to a judge. Not surprisingly, this didn’t sit well with the residents.

Fast forward to February 27, 1979, and Jane Byrne took advantage of the situation, winning the Democratic primary against Bilandic. It was a big upset, and the blizzard played a role in shaping the political landscape of the city.

So, that’s a little history for you. Chicago has seen its fair share of wild weather, and this blizzard is definitely one for the books!

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