CBS 2 general manager Marty Wilke calls it quits

Marty Wilke

Marty Wilke, president and general manager of CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 since 2012, surprised her staff Monday by announcing that she’s retiring.

No successor has been named for Wilke, whose last day at the station will be March 23. By all accounts, her decision was voluntary.

CBS 2

“My six years as a member of the CBS 2 family have been a very special time, filled with terrific experiences and great colleagues,” Wilke said in a statement. “CBS is a first-class company and I am forever grateful for having the opportunity to run my hometown CBS station.”

Wilke, 53, a native of west suburban Downers Grove and graduate of DePaul University, joined CBS 2 from Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9, where she rose from sales account executive to vice president and general manager during a 16-year run there.

No reason was cited for Wilke's decision to step down at this time. She declined to elaborate on her statement. Throughout her tenure, CBS 2 remained a distant also-ran in the ratings.

Peter Dunn, president of CBS Television Stations, said in a statement: “It has been a pleasure to have Marty on our team. We respect her decision to follow her heart and spend more time pursuing her other passions. The people of Chicago are fortunate to have her and I have no doubt that she will continue to make a difference in the community.”

Wilke said she plans to stay in Chicago and focus on charitable and philanthropic endeavors.

Here is the text of Wilke’s statement:

My six years as a member of the CBS 2 family have been a very special time, filled with terrific experiences and great colleagues. I want to thank Peter Dunn and everyone at CBS for the support they have given me. CBS is a first-class company and I am forever grateful for having the opportunity to run my hometown CBS station.

While I will be leaving the office in two weeks, I plan to stay in Chicago and look forward to continuing to be a big fan of the station and cheering for all my friends and colleagues who make CBS 2 such a special place.

I am excited to make a transition that will allow me to spend more time supporting organizations that are near and dear to me, most notably the Alzheimer’s Association, American Red Cross and my alma mater, DePaul University.