Gene Siskel among nine named to TV Academy’s Silver Circle

Gene Siskel

Gene Siskel

Gene Siskel, the late, great Chicago journalist who redefined film criticism in America along with dueling colleague Roger Ebert, will be honored this spring with induction into the Silver Circle of the Chicago Television Academy.

Siskel’s long-overdue recognition will acknowledge his work as film critic for CBS 2 news and "CBS This Morning,” and his legendary 24-year partnership with Ebert on their nationally syndicated movie-review show. Siskel, who also was a critic and columnist for the Chicago Tribune, died in 1999. (Ebert, who was inducted into the Silver Circle in 2005, died in 2013.)

Paul Hogan

Paul Hogan

Also inducted posthumously by the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will be Paul Hogan, investigative reporter for NBC 5, who died in 1993, and Phil Walters, reporter, writer and producer for CBS 2 and NBC 5, who died in 1999.

Mary Ann Ahern

Mary Ann Ahern

Among six living broadcasting veterans to be honored with Silver Circle induction will be Mary Ann Ahern, politics and religion reporter at NBC 5, Steve Baskerville, primary meteorologist at CBS 2, Jim Angio, senior producer/director at Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Katie Carrillo-Majewski, photographer/video editor at Fox 32, and the team of veteran producers/directors Ron Born and Sam Ventura, founders of VeBo Productions.

Steve Baskerville

Steve Baskerville

The latest class of inductees was announced Saturday at the 58th annual regional Emmy Awards. Winners will be honored at a dinner on April 28, 2017.

Phil Walters

Phil Walters

The Silver Circle Award, established in 1992, recognizes individuals who have devoted 25 years or more to the television industry and have made significant contributions to Chicago broadcasting. They are selected annually by a committee of academy board members.