The Chicago Sun-Times, a staple in the city’s journalism scene, is bracing for a significant shift following a major buyout of 35 employees in an effort to reduce costs. This move comes as part of Chicago Public Media’s ongoing struggle to stabilize the newspaper’s finances while continuing its mission to provide essential news coverage in Chicago. The buyout announcement, made by CEO Melissa Bell, marks a pivotal moment for the Sun-Times, which has faced mounting financial challenges since merging with NPR affiliate WBEZ three years ago.
Of the 35 employees taking the buyout, 30 were from the Sun-Times, including 23 reporters and editors, with the remaining five from WBEZ. The buyouts will save the organization $4.2 million annually, allowing Chicago Public Media to meet its budgetary goals without resorting to layoffs. This strategy, while effective in the short term, raises significant questions about the long-term sustainability of the nonprofit model under which the Sun-Times now operates.
For years, the Sun-Times has been at the forefront of Chicago’s local news landscape. Founded in 1948 by Marshall Field III, the newspaper has seen various ownerships and financial struggles. Despite being under the ownership of media magnates like Rupert Murdoch, it has long faced financial issues, even during its most prosperous times. The Sun-Times was rescued from bankruptcy in 2009, but it struggled to maintain profitability. The transition to a nonprofit model in 2022, backed by $61 million in philanthropic funding, seemed like a promising solution, but the Sun-Times has continued to face revenue shortfalls.
The most recent financial filing shows the Sun-Times racked up a $12 million operating deficit for 2025. This shortfall, although covered by philanthropic donations through 2026, indicates that the financial troubles at the paper are far from over. The buyout is a desperate attempt to cut costs in the wake of declining revenue and significant operational inefficiencies.
The buyouts have affected several high-profile members of the Sun-Times staff, particularly in the sports department, where longtime columnists Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander, as well as prominent beat writers like Mark Potash and Daryl Van Schouwen, have left the paper. Other notable exits include veteran columnists Michael Sneed and Ismael Perez. These departures reflect a broader trend in the media industry, where local newspapers across the U.S. have seen a decline in staff as they struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape dominated by digital content and shrinking advertising revenue.
The impact of these buyouts will likely be felt by readers, especially those who rely on the Sun-Times for in-depth local reporting and analysis. The loss of such experienced and respected journalists may hinder the paper’s ability to cover key local stories with the depth and expertise that Chicago residents have come to expect. The Sun-Times’ newsroom is significantly smaller now, and it remains unclear how the paper will fill the gap left by these departures, both in terms of personnel and the quality of its journalism.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for the future of the Sun-Times, as Melissa Bell’s leadership seeks to stabilize the organization while maintaining its journalistic integrity. In her letter to supporters, Bell emphasized that the buyouts were necessary to ensure the continued operation of the Sun-Times and to safeguard the future of independent journalism in Chicago. However, she also acknowledged that the nonprofit model, while promising, still faces considerable challenges in a competitive and shrinking media market. Bell has set her sights on doubling the number of Chicago Public Media’s supporters and members in the next five years to fill the gap left by the dwindling philanthropic funds.
The buyouts also come in the wake of the resignation of former CEO Matt Moog, who oversaw the paper during its transition to the nonprofit model. Moog, a Chicago tech entrepreneur, received a total of $722,861 in compensation in his final year as CEO, a figure that has drawn scrutiny from some observers, especially in light of the Sun-Times’ ongoing financial struggles. With Moog’s departure, Bell, who co-founded the successful online news site Vox.com, has taken the reins with the promise of steering Chicago Public Media toward a more sustainable future.
For all of its financial struggles, the Sun-Times continues to play a vital role in Chicago’s news ecosystem. As the second-largest daily newspaper in the city, it provides essential coverage of local politics, business, crime, and community issues. The Sun-Times also plays a crucial role in investigative journalism, holding powerful institutions accountable and providing a voice for marginalized communities.
Still, the paper is not immune to the larger trends that have impacted the entire newspaper industry. Since the early 2000s, the U.S. newspaper industry has experienced a dramatic decline in both revenue and staffing levels. According to a report from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, more than 266,000 newspaper jobs have been eliminated since 2005, a staggering 73% decline. The loss of newsroom jobs, particularly in local newsrooms, has had a devastating effect on the ability of newspapers to provide comprehensive coverage of local events and issues. The Sun-Times’ downsizing is just one example of this larger trend, and it raises important questions about the future of local journalism in Chicago and across the country.
The buyouts and staff reductions at the Sun-Times have not been without controversy. Alderman Raymond Lopez, a frequent critic of Mayor Brandon Johnson and a vocal proponent of the Sun-Times’ role in local journalism, expressed concern that the paper’s downsizing would result in fewer resources to cover local stories. “The Sun-Times has long been the voice of the people in Chicago,” Lopez said. “With fewer staff members, how can we expect them to continue to hold the powerful accountable?”
Others have expressed concern that the Sun-Times’ move to a nonprofit model may be a temporary solution to deeper structural problems within the newspaper industry. While nonprofit funding has allowed the paper to remain afloat, it remains heavily reliant on philanthropic donations, which are not guaranteed. Without a sustainable revenue model, the Sun-Times faces an uncertain future.
Despite these challenges, the Sun-Times’ leadership remains committed to its mission of providing high-quality journalism to Chicago’s residents. The recent buyouts, while painful, are a necessary step in ensuring the newspaper’s long-term survival. However, as the paper continues to navigate the uncertain terrain of the modern media landscape, it will need to adapt to new realities and find innovative ways to connect with its readers and secure its financial future.
The Sun-Times’ situation is indicative of the broader challenges facing local newspapers across the country. As advertising revenue continues to decline and digital media dominates, many newspapers are struggling to find sustainable business models. The Sun-Times’ efforts to diversify its revenue streams by transitioning to a nonprofit model is one potential solution, but it remains to be seen whether it can succeed in the long term.
In conclusion, the Chicago Sun-Times is at a crossroads. The recent buyouts have brought the paper’s financial struggles into sharp focus, but they also offer an opportunity for the paper to refocus its resources and adapt to a changing media landscape. As the Sun-Times continues to navigate these challenges, it will need to find ways to balance its journalistic integrity with its financial reality. The next few years will be crucial in determining whether the paper can continue to thrive and serve as a vital source of news for Chicagoans. The future of local journalism in Chicago depends on it.
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