Chicago Area Events: August 1 Historical Highlights

2018: Nick Sauer’s Resignation and Legal Troubles

In 2018, Illinois State Representative Nick Sauer from the 51st District resigned following accusations related to online privacy violations. An ex-girlfriend claimed Sauer sent nude photos of her to other men through Instagram, utilizing a false account. By 2019, Sauer faced charges involving 12 felonies for distributing intimate photos of two individuals without consent. His case involved reports to the Chicago Police Department and the state legislative inspector general. Sauer eventually entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor, resulting in a 90-day jail term and a 24-month probation.

The Weather Snapshot

Weather records from Aug. 1 highlight: a high of 100°F in 1988, a low of 51°F in 1990, 2.55 inches of precipitation in 1961, and a trace of snowfall in 2003.

1922: The Great Railroad Strike

On Aug. 1, 1922, over 20,000 streetcar and elevated train workers in Chicago commenced a strike at 4 a.m. They joined a broader nationwide railroad workers’ strike that involved another 400,000 participants. This strike led to a complete halt in services across all streetcar lines and elevated trains within the city. A Tribune editorial cartoonist captured the city’s turmoil during this time.

1998: Mike Singletary’s Hall of Fame Induction

Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. His first-year eligibility induction placed him among legendary Bears players like Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, and Walter Payton. Singletary, acclaimed as the NFL’s top defensive player in 1985 and 1988, missed only two games over 12 seasons. He started a remarkable 172 games and averaged over eight tackles per game, also securing 10 consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

2012: Drought Strikes Illinois

A severe drought in 2012 led to 98 of Illinois’s 102 counties being labeled as disaster areas. Notably, counties such as Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will were excluded from this designation. The prior winter was notably warm with minimal snowfall, followed by insufficient rainfall in spring. According to the Illinois State Water Survey, 2012 saw an average precipitation of 30.4 inches statewide, significantly below the usual 1981-2010 average. Chicago recorded 26.91 inches of rain, down by 10.95 inches from normal levels.

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