WTTW cuts staffers, scales back ‘Chicago Stories,’ employees say

WTTW in Chicago has undergone a workforce reduction in recent months, according to two employees.

The employees work in production at WTTW and requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to Current. They estimated that 15 to 20 employees in production, engineering, news and administration positions have left the station since the spring through a combination of layoffs, retirements and buyouts, with the majority taking buyouts.

One employee said the reduction of field crews and editorial staff has affected Chicago Tonight, one of the only daily public affairs programs produced by a PBS station. In an email to Current, the employee described staffing on Chicago Tonight as “a shell of its former self” and said “morale is obviously at an all time low.”

A WTTW spokesperson said the station had no comment.

The second employee said freelance teams working on episodes of Chicago Stories, a local documentary series, were told this summer that their projects were suspended until further notice.

Rachel Pikelny, a producer for Chicago Stories, wrote on LinkedIn June 17 that her role was slashed due to anticipated federal funding cuts. Pikelny declined to comment when reached by Current via email.

On Aug. 20, WTTW announced a new five-episode season of Chicago Stories. The 2024 and 2023 seasons of the program each had eight episodes. One employee said some broadcast technician staff took buyouts, including some over the age of 70 who were nearing retirement. The employee said WTTW hasn’t replaced those workers.

Brett Lyons, assistant business manager of Local Union 1220 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents broadcast technicians at WTTW, declined to comment in a phone call with Current. An employee who spoke to Current said the union’s latest contract included a three-year no-layoff clause.

The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists represents WTTW’s newsroom on-air staff, announcers, pledge talent and other on-air talent for local shows. SAG-AFTRA representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

In fiscal year 2024, WTTW received a Community Service Grant from CPB of about $3.5 million, according to CPB’s website. That accounted for about 7% of the station’s total revenue of more than $48 million that year, according to an audited financial statement. Congress voted in July to rescind fiscal year 2026 and 2027 federal funding to CPB.

Since July, more than 20 public media organizations have publicly announced layoffs tied to the rescission of CPB funding.