Chicago Public Media plans to expand the journalism of its public radio station by adding dozens of editorial staffers over the next three years, reports Crain’s Chicago Business.
CEO Goli Sheikholeslami told the publication that WBEZ aims to add 12 new reporters, editors, producers and hosts this year and bring on 22 more by the end of 2020. That would expand its news division to 90 staffers.
The expansion will be funded in part by growth in membership income. WBEZ now has 85,000 listener-members, up from 65,000 in 2014.
“This investment allows us to deliver the kind of local reporting that strengthens our community,” Sheikholeslami said at a City Club of Chicago lunch event.