Lilia Chacon
Robservations on the media beat:
Fresh from her stint on the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, veteran Chicago journalist Lilia Chacon has joined GreenMark Public Relations as director of public affairs. Sue Markgraf, founder and president of the Chicago-area firm, said Chacon will oversee Food and Agriculture RoadMap for Illinois (FARM Illinois) among other accounts. Chacon was a Peabody Award-winning reporter for Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 and spokeswoman for the city treasurer of Chicago before serving as Iowa press secretary for Sanders. “It’s a perfect fit for me,” Chacon said of her new job. “Sue Markgraf is a connector and I feel that I am too.” On May 20 Chacon will be inducted in the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Susanna Homan
In response to criticism, Tribune Publishing is defending the decision to appoint Susanna Homan as publisher and editor-in-chief of Chicago magazine. The former publisher and general manager of Splash was named to the newly created dual post on March 11, replacing publisher Tom Conradi and editor Beth Fenner. "The publisher and editor-in-chief position is a natural progression for our brands and is a model you will continue to see across our publications,” Tim Ryan, president of publishing for Tribune Publishing, said in a statement. “This structure provides a more streamlined and coordinated approach that will maximize our audiences and accelerate our digital growth. Susanna Homan is a well-known editor and publisher with an extensive background in launching and operating magazines. Susanna has the operational, editorial, sales and marketing skills that are required for this dual role and I am confident Chicago magazine will continue to flourish under her leadership."
Natalie Moore
Tuesday marks the official publication date for The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation by Natalie Moore, South Side bureau reporter for Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5. Published by St. Martin’s Press and coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Great Migration, the book examines how racial inequality continues to plague housing, education, politics and other institutions for African-Americans living on the South Side. Wrote one reviewer: “Moore strikes an admirable balance between palpable love for Chicago's diversities and clear-eyed anger at the powerful forces dividing America's third-largest city into different worlds.”
Jim Turano
Jim Turano, the longtime Chicago radio personality known as “Elton Jim,” has launched a YouTube channel featuring his work on Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. Included are more than 80 audio files of his appearances as a fill-in host, guest on Dean Richards’ show and sidekick on Garry Meier’s former afternoon show. “Many of the shows I recently have done were at a late hour, so here's a chance to catch up and hear what all the fuss is about,” he said. “Some fun stuff to hear for the first time or re-discover, or re-live and recall some memorable radio moments.”
Jim Kirk
Going up: Over the weekend the Sun-Times raised its Sunday newsstand price by 25 cents — to $2. “It is the first price increase for the Sunday edition since 2010,” publisher and editor Jim Kirk told readers. “The daily newsstand price remains at $1 in the city and suburbs. The Sun-Times is committed to delivering award-winning journalism every day of the week, and we continue to provide readers with the best value possible in the marketplace at the newsstand and with our home delivery subscription rates.” Last December the Chicago Tribune raised its Sunday price from $2.99 to $3.99 and Monday-through-Saturday price from $1.50 to $1.99. Look for price increases this week from five Chicago Tribune Media Group publications — Daily Southtown, Aurora Beacon-News, Elgin Courier-News, Naperville Sun and Lake County News-Sun.