The Chicago Sun-Times has announced an exciting new chapter in the career of Lynn Sweet, its longtime Washington bureau chief. Lynn will be shifting her focus toward creating and experimenting with audience-centric journalism at Chicago Public Media.
This innovative role will utilize Lynn’s vast experience in covering political landscapes, particularly in Washington, D.C., Illinois, and Chicago, to produce journalism that is accessible and explanatory across various platforms and formats.
In today’s climate, understanding the ramifications of political decisions made in Washington for Chicago and Illinois has never been more pressing. The audience’s growing demand for more knowledgeable and quick explainers has become evident from previous projects, prompting this strategic shift.
With her Chicago roots and straightforward communication style, Lynn is poised to be the ideal figure in breaking down intricate political news for local audiences. Her work will span popular platforms including TikTok, newsletters, and more, engaging a wider audience in the news from a trustworthy source.
As she transitions from the politics team to the audience team, Lynn’s new role aims to establish sustainability through innovative pilot experiments designed to enhance audience awareness, loyalty, and trust. Additionally, she will collaborate with Chicago Public Media’s membership, marketing, and development teams.
Beyond creating content, Lynn will continue to play a pivotal role within the community by moderating discussions at company and community events. She will also lend her expertise as an analyst on both national and local TV and radio shows, providing insights into issues pertinent to Chicago and Washington.
Lynn Sweet holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She further enhanced her knowledge by studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Lynn has also participated as a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, clearly positioning her as a veteran in the journalism field.
Her accolades are noteworthy; she has been inducted into Northwestern University’s Medill Hall of Achievement and recognized as one of Washingtonian magazine’s “50 Top Journalists.”
This strategic transition is part of a broader editorial plan following a significant restructuring of the news organization this past May. The restructuring included the formation of a combined Chicago Public Media politics, government, and safety team, integrating four editors and 14 reporters across the Sun-Times and WBEZ.
In the newly aligned team, Tony Arnold has assumed the role of state and federal politics editor, while Patrick Smith will take on the responsibilities of public safety editor. Tina Sfondeles will serve as the national political reporter, focusing on the Illinois congressional delegation, the influence of federal politics on Illinois and Chicago, and the relationship state politicians have with national politics.
Tina, a self-described Sun-Times baby, started her career at the newspaper in 2007, advancing from prep sports writer and general assignment reporter to chief political reporter. She made her return to Chicago Public Media in 2022 after covering the White House for Business Insider and Politico in Washington, D.C.
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