Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times is a major daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1948 through the merger of the Chicago Sun and the Chicago Daily Times, it has established itself as a prominent voice in Midwestern journalism, traditionally adopting a centre-left editorial stance. Known for its tabloid format and aggressive metropolitan reporting, it is the flagship publication of the Sun-Times Media Group and remains a primary competitor to the Chicago Tribune.

History

The publication originated from the 1948 merger orchestrated by Marshall Field III, heir to the Marshall Field's department store fortune, who had founded the Chicago Sun in 1941. This merger combined the resources of the Sun with the older, scrappier Chicago Daily Times, which traced its roots to 1929. Under the leadership of publisher James Hoge in the 1970s and 1980s, it significantly expanded its investigative reach and circulation, engaging in a fierce rivalry with the Chicago Tribune. The paper was owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp from 1984 until 1986, when it was sold to an investment group led by Leonard H. Goldenson of ABC. It later became the cornerstone of the Hollinger International newspaper group under Conrad Black, before undergoing a 2009 bankruptcy and subsequent sale to a group led by James C. Tyree. In 2017, a consortium including Chicago Federation of Labor affiliates purchased it, and in 2022, NPR affiliate WBEZ's parent company, Chicago Public Media, acquired it, though the newsrooms remain operationally separate.

Content and features

The publication is renowned for its hard-hitting metropolitan news, political coverage, and sports reporting, particularly on teams like the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bears. It traditionally features a popular page three celebrity gossip column, "The Lisa's Page" (formerly "Kup's Column"), and the long-running editorial cartoon "The Benson Cartoon". Its investigative unit, the "Better Gov" team, has produced award-winning exposés, while its cultural coverage includes reviews of the local theater scene and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The "Suntimes.com" website and digital platforms have expanded its reach, featuring blogs, podcasts, and video content.

Ownership and operations

Currently owned by Chicago Public Media, the parent of radio station WBEZ, the paper operates from offices in the Chicago Loop. It is published by Nykia Wright and edited by Jennifer Kho. The financial model has shifted to emphasize digital subscriptions, following a trend across the industry, and it is printed at a facility owned by the Chicago Tribune under a joint operating agreement. Its parent, Sun-Times Media Group, also oversees several suburban publications like the Aurora Beacon-News and the Joliet Herald-News.

Notable staff and contributors

The newsroom has been home to many distinguished journalists, including Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert, who worked there from 1967 until his death in 2013. Other notable figures include columnist and Pulitzer winner Mike Royko, political reporter and author Lynn Sweet, and investigative reporter Pam Zekman. Famed advice columnist Ann Landers (Eppie Lederer) wrote for the paper for decades. Notable editors have included Larry Green and John Barron, while cartoonists such as Bill Mauldin and Jack Higgins have been featured.

Impact and recognition

It has profoundly influenced local politics and civic life through its investigative reporting, which has exposed corruption in the Illinois General Assembly and within the Chicago Police Department. The paper has received numerous Pulitzer Prizes, including awards for commentary by Roger Simon and for investigative reporting on Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration. Its cultural criticism, particularly from Roger Ebert, gained a national audience, and its endorsement is considered significant in Cook County elections. The 2022 acquisition by Chicago Public Media positioned it as a key component of one of the largest local nonprofit news organizations in the United States.

Category:Newspapers published in Chicago Category:1948 establishments in Illinois Category:Sun-Times Media Group