On April 17, numerous significant events have shaped the history of Chicago, as documented by the Tribune’s archives.
Weather records for this date reveal a high temperature of 88 degrees, achieved in 1976, and a low temperature of 17 degrees recorded in 1875. The area has also seen varied precipitation, including 2.01 inches in 2013 and snowfall of 3 inches in 2020.
In 1934, a turning point for the Nation of Islam occurred when founder Wallace Fard Muhammad disappeared. Subsequently, Elijah Muhammad took over leadership and relocated the organization’s headquarters to the South Side of Chicago.
The year 1945 marked a notable event in the world of education. Edward “Jim” Sparling resigned as president of Central YMCA College in Chicago after the school board requested a census of the student body that included race and religion. Opposed to what he believed could lead to racial discrimination, Sparling’s resignation prompted 62 faculty members to follow suit, leading to the establishment of a new institution—Roosevelt College. This school was named after the recently deceased President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is now known as Roosevelt University.
A significant legal event occurred in 2006 when former Illinois Governor George Ryan was found guilty of extensive federal corruption charges. These charges emerged from the Operation Safe Road investigation, which uncovered widespread bribery issues in state driver’s license facilities while he served as Secretary of State, extending to misconduct during his tenure as governor. Ryan was sentenced to 6 ½ years in prison, starting his sentence on November 7, 2007, and was released on January 30, 2013, enduring home confinement until July 2013.
On April 17, 2012, another important legal matter surfaced involving Rita Crundwell, the comptroller of Dixon. Crundwell was arrested after being accused of misappropriating over $30 million in city funds. Eventually, she pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $54 million over a span of 22 years from her northwestern Illinois city, which is known for being the boyhood home of former President Ronald Reagan. Authorities called this incident one of the largest municipal frauds in American history. Crundwell reportedly used the embezzled funds to support her quarter horse business and luxurious lifestyle. After serving time, she was released from prison in 2021, only to have her sentence commuted by President Joe Biden in December 2024.
The year 2015 saw the passing of Cardinal Francis George, who was the first Chicago native to hold the position of local archbishop. He became an influential intellectual leader within the American church during his 17 years of service. Cardinal George died at the age of 78 following a prolonged battle with cancer.
Also in 2015, Chicago schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett faced scrutiny and was put on leave due to a federal investigation concerning a no-bid contract. Byrd-Bennett ultimately pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud for directing a $20 million contract to her former associates at SUPES Academy, a consulting firm, in exchange for kickbacks. She received a 4 ½-year prison sentence but was released early due to a program that aimed to protect inmates particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
These events on April 17 highlight the dynamic and often tumultuous history of Chicago, showcasing significant cultural, political, and educational developments.
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