Today we're celebrating the careers of 16 of our @chicagotribune colleagues who accepted buyout offers from Tribune Publishing. These incredibly talented journalists have been essential to our coverage of Chicago and the suburbs for decades ...
3 have been Pulitzer Prize finalists, all have been celebrated for their contributions to our newsrooms. For most, today is their last day -- and when they all leave, 431 years of Tribune experience will walk out the door. ...
We're glad they get to leave on their own terms with some financial support, but it's a big loss for Chicago journalism. Will Tribune Publishing invest in new hires for these big newsroom gaps? We hope to hear their plans soon. But first, celebrate these amazing colleagues ...
If you want to be on Mike Danahey's good side, talk beer. He is so passionate about he co-wrote the book "Chicago's Historic Irish Pubs." Everyone in Elgin knows Mike - with the Tribune 21 years - and he has a flair for features. chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-… @DanaheyECN
Deputy editorial page editor Marie Dillon may miss FL every day, but she bled Tribune blue, first as a beloved metro editor for years, then writing sharp editorials about everything from cops to Aunt Flo and was twice a Pulitzer finalist. pulitzer.org/finalists/john… @mariecdillon
Nuccio DiNuzzo went from film to digital seamlessly. He covered Michael Jordan’s career, many Olympics, Stanley Cups, World Series. But his photo from an O’Hare protest of Trump’s travel ban touched hearts worldwide. chicagomag.com/images/cache/c… @ChiTribNuccio
Beloved for his humility and kindness, Ted Gregory was the nicest superstar at the Tribune, contributing to two Pulitzer Prize teams and writing four books. pulitzer.org/winners/staff-… @tgregoryreports
A risk-taker and innovator, Joe Knowles spent his entire career at the Tribune – starting as a copy clerk and ending as editor of the sports section. He also launched RedEye, ran the design desk and still managed to keep up on all things NHL. robertfeder.com/2018/11/30/rob… @jknowles31
Susan Lafferty covered key issues in Will County, including the Illiana road project and the Peotone airport and stayed on top of important issues along the Cook/Will border, serving local readers well over her 24 years with Tribune. chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-… @SusanLaff
Marcia Lythcott began her 35-yr Tribune career in features. But she's known (and feared) as the longtime commentary editor, curating a selection of diverse and thought-provoking op-eds. Writers love her wit, which is as sharp as her edits. thefacultylounge.org/2018/12/on-the… @marcialythcott
Rich Martin has been with the company for 31 years, working mostly as a sports editor for the Pioneer Press. For the past 3 years, he worked as a copy editor for the suburban dailies. Rich is a personable, amiable team player who fit in incredibly well with the dailies.
One of the most creative minds at the Tribune, Mike Miner, a page designer and illustrator for 18 years, has added his artistic touch to every section of the Chicago Tribune and won countless Society for News Design awards.
Ken Paxson “crossed the street” in 1989 to join the Tribune and has worked everywhere, from copy desk slot to preps editor and was key to our coverage of 6 Bulls championship seasons, 3 Hawks Stanley Cups, 1 White Sox World Series team and the Cubs’ 2016 championship.
Love him or hate him (he relishes fans and foes alike), sports columnist Steve Rosenbloom has spent his 22 years at the Tribune finding new ways to provoke a reaction from readers and and make them think about sports a little differently. chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-spt-… @steverosenbloom
A longtime court reporter, Steve Schmadeke has covered some of the region's biggest trials – including the Drew Peterson trial – and did watchdog stories, including in-depth reporting on the mayor of Bolingbrook. chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-dr… @SteveSchmadeke
No other Tribune employee has helped as many colleagues as Soren Smith. An editorial clerk for 28 years, his job has involved everything from moving furniture, helping coordinate the annual employee book sale – even rating board games. chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-19…
Matt Walberg covered politics, crime, courts, corruption — in the city and suburbs — and was a “legman” for John Kass – in his 19 yrs at the Tribune. He was a Pulitzer finalist in 2015 for an investigation of corruption in Harvey, Ill. pulitzer.org/finalists/joe-… @mattwalberg1
A master portraitist and the impresario behind the iconic “So Chicago” video series, Chris Walker has been a Tribune photographer for 35 years, shooting assignments on seven continents. chicagotribune.com/news/photo/ct-… @walker_pix
Paul Weingarten was an intern in 1976. He went on to be a Tempo writer, national reporter and AME-Metro. In 2002 he joined the editorial board. He's written on everything from CPS to Iran, and led the New Plan of Chicago project. chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/p… @paulweingarten1
Here’s Nuccio’s iconic image of the 2017 airport protests, and the story behind it: chicagotribune.com/news/local/bre… (via former Tribune sister-in-arms @vikkiortiz) 
