13 Top Journalism Jobs in Chicago for Aspiring Reporters

Journalism jobs in Chicago attract creators and industry professionals from every field, drawn to the city’s thriving media scene, diverse communities, and opportunities for new voices.

We’ve identified the roles and newsrooms that matter most—where your work can move conversations forward, whether you’re an emerging reporter or an established pro seeking your next challenge.

Get a clear look at the positions, skills, and paths that shape Chicago’s influential creative landscape.

1. Investigative Reporter at Block Club Chicago

Ready to dig deep, uncover wrongdoing, and create stories that spark civic change? The Investigative Reporter role at Block Club Chicago puts you at the front line of impactful neighborhood journalism. This is for journalists who want their work to fuel real reforms and start tough but necessary conversations.

Why this role delivers big impact:

• Uncovered systemic flaws and forced policy changes on issues like health agencies and housing—several Block Club stories made city leaders take action.

• Recognized for watchdog reporting centered on Chicago’s South and West Sides, where your investigations set the news agenda.

• Required: five years’ experience, proven record in narrative storytelling, sourcing, and shaping stories that connect the dots for everyday Chicagoans.

Best for: Reporters determined to inform, influence, and hold power to account. You’ll join a team dedicated to equity and narrative depth, trained in FOIA best practices and data analysis. This position rewards those who are relentless with public records and passionate about telling stories others miss.

Investigative work at Block Club has a history of driving solutions, not just headlines. Showcase your civic reporting and timestamp investigations securely on WriteSeen—where your work reaches the right editors, collaborators, and audiences.

2. Neighborhood Beat Reporter at Block Club Chicago (Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town)

Want community trust and visibility? The Neighborhood Beat Reporter is the go-to for hyperlocal news. You’re always out in the field—attending council meetings, covering real estate swings, and highlighting new businesses.

What makes this job stand out:

• Reporters embedded in the neighborhoods impact real decisions, with stories cited in city planning meetings or referenced by local associations.

• It’s a demanding, “non-9 to 5” position, but you’ll become known by name in your beat, regularly approached by residents who want their concerns heard.

• Social media skills, daily output, and direct relationships with readers are essential. You’re not behind a desk; you’re out where the story happens.

Perfect for: Early-career journalists aiming to develop a loyal following. You’ll break stories that can drive change at the local level, push for inclusion, and push your skills in writing and photography.

• Influences city-wide discussions through neighborhood reporting

• Essential flexibility with hours and location

• Daily collaboration with editors and community leaders

3. Managing Editor at Block Club Chicago

Think bigger. Managing Editors here don’t just guide coverage—they steer the newsroom’s strategy and mentor the next generation of reporters. You’ll juggle citywide priorities while maintaining rigorous ethical standards.

Key details about this leadership track:

• Advanced editors lead during breaking news, train teams citywide, and roll out new audience engagement tactics.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords; you play a central role in building a newsroom culture where every voice matters.

• This spot is for those who have at least five years editing experience, crave hands-on crisis management, and want to roll out training from ethics to multimedia.

Optimized for journalists who want to move from reporting to newsroom leadership and shape the editorial vision.

As Managing Editor, your calls reverberate across every desk and digital platform. Use WriteSeen to mentor, organize, and spotlight standout work across your newsroom—timestamped, searchable, and built for editorial leadership.

4. General Assignment Reporter at Daily Southtown (Chicago Tribune Media Group)

Craving variety? As a General Assignment Reporter, your workday pivots from breaking city news to enterprise features about local schools or community events across the south suburbs. Chicago Tribune’s reach boosts your reporting to a metro stage.

This position gives you:

• Ownership of a bustling beat—education, policing, sports, trend features all in a week.

• Spanish language skills are valued, reflecting the city’s real demographics and letting you access untapped stories.

• Major investigations are tackled with Tribune staff, making this a launchpad for advancement to larger outlets.

Best fit: News hounds who thrive on action, want visible bylines, and enjoy working nights and weekends alongside a mission-driven team.

• Opportunity to leap into investigative projects

• Broad coverage means rapid skills growth

• Ideal for building a name among Chicago’s next wave of metro reporters

5. Full-Time Reporter at Austin Weekly News (Growing Community Media)

Some neighborhoods need champions. At Austin Weekly News, you report alongside a tight-knit team with deep ties to Chicago’s West Side. Journalists here uplift stories often ignored by larger media but vital to community pride.

What you gain:

• You’ll form close bonds with residents, organizations, and local businesses—and generate solutions-driven series about housing, school reform, or safety.

• This is a strong fit if Austin is your home or you want to immerse yourself in a community-first model.

• Competitive salary, full benefits, and a hybrid work environment make this a sustainable career choice.

Here, you’re not just reporting the news—you’re helping rebuild trust and spotlight resilience.

Austin Weekly News builds credibility by consistently showing up and reporting directly from the community.

6. Data Journalist and Reporter at Illinois Answers Project

You love numbers and investigation. The Data Journalist role at Illinois Answers Project puts you in command of open records, public data, and visualizations that reveal deeper city stories.

This specialist job offers:

• Collaboration on high-profile investigations using mapping and transparency tools that shape public policy.

• Regular training sessions for FOIA, spatial analysis, and mentoring other reporters in data-driven storytelling.

• You’ll help develop interactive tools and publish findings that spark conversation citywide.

Best for: Journalists with experience in data analysis and a knack for making the invisible visible. You’ll boost your impact by working closely with researchers and civic groups.

• Regularly leads stories on city spending, hiring, or health

• Pivotal in solutions-focused reporting

• Direct community impact through accessible data projects

7. Digital News Producer at WBEZ Chicago (Chicago Public Media)

Want to define the digital voice of a major NPR affiliate? Digital News Producers at WBEZ combine writing, editing, podcast collaboration, and special digital-first projects. This is a dynamic role for journalists ready to reach citywide and national audiences.

Expect to:

• Write and curate stories, weave in audio and visuals, and pitch interactive explainers on budgets, transit, or elections.

• Advise editorial teams on real-time news, shape daily newsletters, and push multimedia content for mobile audiences.

• Grow fast—many producers move into senior digital and editorial roles, shaping multiplatform storytelling.

Great match for: Writers who blend speed, accuracy, and an eye for the next big thing in storytelling. Podcast or audio production skills help, but core strengths are a digital mindset and narrative power.

• Regular input on podcasts and special series

• Strong opportunity for advancement and skill growth

• Daily influence on WBEZ’s digital strategy and reach
  
  

8. AM Editor at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ, Chicago Sun-Times)

Morning sets the pace. As an AM Editor, you lead early coverage across radio, digital, and print—steering urgent stories while collaborating with producers and anchors. Your decisions impact citywide news flow all day.

In this seat, you:

• Set priorities at sunrise, manage live broadcasts, and navigate breaking events with confidence.

• Coordinate with teams to optimize web and social updates, pushing real-time stories when urgency is highest.

• Excel in crisis moments, guiding teams through rapid response situations—think storms, protests, major city developments.

This role is a launchpad for editors ready to lead Chicago’s largest audiences as the news cycle starts.

The AM Editor’s focus and instincts shape the entire day’s coverage, citywide. WriteSeen helps you track breaking ideas, store coverage priorities, and share timestamped drafts—built for editors leading fast-paced newsrooms.

9. Digital Content Producer at NewsNation

National reach, digital-first. Digital Content Producers at NewsNation create, package, and amplify news for a broad, discerning audience. SEO mastery, video creation, and engagement strategies drive the work here.

Expect to:

• Publish original video and written content for nationwide news events, often collaborating across Nexstar’s network.

• Optimize every headline for reach, track analytics in real time, and respond to breaking events with agility.

• Cover high-stakes, high-visibility moments—live events, elections, emergencies—with workflow tools few local outlets can match.

Ideal for journalists who want to build meaningful digital authority fast. You’ll work odd hours and on deadline, but gain unmatched exposure.

• National coverage with local impact

• Access to big-league analytics and production support

• Flexible beat opportunities for the digitally fluent

10. Part-Time News Reporter at Journal & Topics Media Group

Part-time, full value. Part-Time News Reporters at Journal & Topics secure regular bylines while balancing life, freelance, or other projects. You cover school boards, spot news, and community events across the northwest suburbs.

You get:

• Immediate story assignments and editorial feedback, building clips and confidence fast.

• A chance to master local government, public safety, and in-person reporting that teaches basics quickly.

• Flexibility—choose remote or office work, pitch story ideas as you go, and grow your reputation for reliability.

Best for: Early-career journalists making a name, or pros looking for steady local assignments without a full-time commitment.

Frequent bylines and supportive editors help you develop newsroom skills that are in demand everywhere.

11. Freelance Reporter Opportunities (Block Club, Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle, Patch)

Want freedom with focus? Chicago newsrooms need freelancers. You pitch timely stories, cover government or local trends, and get paid per gig—rates are clear, and feedback drives your growth.

Freelancing delivers:

• Access to staffed editors and clear story rates—get paid for real journalism, not marketing.

• Room to develop a specialty, like suburban politics or data + multimedia.

• Pathways into staff jobs after strong work: freelance often leads to full-time roles.

Rapid-fire, project-based. If you’re independent and efficient, freelancing creates a portfolio and connects you to decision-makers citywide.

• Direct access to hiring editors

• No long-term commitment needed

• Faster path to bylines in top outlets

12. Academic Journalism Instructor (University of Minnesota Hubbard School)

Passion for teaching? Academic Journalism Instructors mentor the next wave, combining newsroom skill with classroom impact. Most bring strong portfolios and help creators see the real world behind the theory.

Here’s why this matters:

• You influence curriculum—think podcasting, digital reporting, or data journalism—not just classic newswriting.

• You collaborate on workshops, advise internships, and bridge students into industry jobs.

• Research, publish, and network while building a diverse, creative student base.

For senior journalists seeking fulfillment beyond deadlines, shaping future reporters offers long-term influence.

Teaching multiplies your impact, inspiring the storytellers of tomorrow. WriteSeen gives instructors and student journalists a shared space to upload, timestamp, and refine stories—perfect for feedback, workshops, and growth.

13. News Producer at Fox 32 Chicago (WFLD)

Love broadcast? News Producers at Fox 32 write, script, and execute newscasts for one of the city’s most-watched stations. This is pressure with a purpose—your shows hit millions.

Role perks:

• You juggle multiple live storylines—breaking news, weather alerts, city features—while collaborating with field crews and anchors.

• Experience with digital publishing and fast-paced decision-making puts you ahead.

• Many producers step into management or national media roles after sharpening their expertise here.

Strong fit for creators ready to cross print, digital, and TV boundaries.

• Millions see your work every day

• Line producing experience that translates anywhere

• Fast-track to leadership or on-air spots

Breaking Into Journalism Jobs in Chicago: Insider Strategies for Success

Landing your first (or next) journalism job in this city is a discipline. You need proof of skill, speed, and depth. Your portfolio is your ticket.

Use these action steps:

• Build three strong Chicago news clips. Store and timestamp them for verification.

• Master FOIA requests, public records, and fact-checking transparency tools.

• Practice working at night or on weekends—most entry-level roles require both.

• Pitch neighborhood-level stories. Editors want reporters who see the city up-close.

• Center diversity, inclusion, and responsiveness in every application.

Want your projects secure, visible, and ready to share with editors? WriteSeen lets you timestamp stories, lock your intellectual property, get peer feedback, and show editors your range in one streamlined workspace.

Chicago journalism belongs to those who bring receipts, stay relentless, and keep connecting.

Conclusion

Every role highlighted here brings you closer to shaping real stories that matter—whether you're anchoring digital strategy, amplifying neighborhood voices, or leading teams in the field. Journalism jobs in Chicago aren't just jobs; they’re launchpads for influence, change, and long-term career momentum.

If you're searching for direction, mentorship, or visibility, remember: the best reporters don’t wait to be discovered—they document, dig, and deliver with purpose. Stay focused, pitch bravely, and let your portfolio lead the way.

Explore journalism jobs in Chicago and use WriteSeen to organize, timestamp, and showcase your best reporting work—ready for editors, readers, and your future self.