About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media, home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, is a multifaceted, community-supported public media organization. WBEZ was established as an extension of the Board of Education in 1943 and became one of the first charter member stations of National Public Radio in 1970. In 2022, Chicago Public Media acquired the Chicago Sun-Times with a vision to strengthen and protect independent local journalism for the people of Chicago. We have since transitioned the paper to a nonprofit structure, removed the paywall, and launched a voluntary membership program to secure the Sun-Times’ future and make high-quality local journalism accessible to all. Today, Chicago Public Media is one of the largest local nonprofit newsrooms in the country.

Under the banner of Chicago Public Media, we aim to strengthen the well-being of our local communities and our democracy through independent local journalism. We produce accessible, trusted news, information, and programming that helps all Chicago area residents make informed decisions every day, participate in our diverse communities, and make the most of our region. 

Chicago Public Media reaches*:

 4M+  Residents each week across audio, broadcast, digital,  and print platforms

 1.6M   Social media followers

 1.26M   Website visitors

 790,000+  Email subscribers

 15,000+  Event attendees

*As of the end of FY24

Our leadership*:

 Chicago Public Media & Chicago Sun-Times Boards of Directors 

 Lifetime Trustees 

 Directors Emeriti Society 

 Business Leadership Council 

*FY26 membership