Newspapers and Writers

By David Bittinger

September 10th, 2026

You’ll probably recognize much of the Chicago newspaper history recounted here. Some of you might feel you could write your own version of this piece.

Every day of my childhood started with a Chicago Tribune on the kitchen table. It seemed a gateway from the early-Disneyfied bubble of my pleasant suburb Glen Ellyn to a grand city of skyscrapers and action.

I learned to read before kindergarten, partly because I loved books but more because I wanted to read reports of White Sox games. Little Louie and Nellie and big old Comiskey Park were right there in the last section behind the masthead motto THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEWSPAPER. That status impressed a five-year-old.

The motto was withdrawn late in the Ford administration. Sic transit gloria mundi.

I liked David Condon’s “In the Wake of the News” column and his annual joke prediction of a World Series between the White Sox and Cubs. (In this 2026 season, that prospect seems less a joke than a warning of internecine Chicago anxiety attacks.)

While reading the Tribune daily, I also sought out Mike Royko columns in the Daily News until it folded in 1978, then in the Sun-Times. Royko quit the Sun-Times on January 10, 1984 after it was bought by a publisher he despised as a tabloid sensationalist. He “walked across Michigan Avenue” to the Tribune the same day, offering his new employer the faint praise “Mr. Murdoch doesn’t own this paper.”

Attracting many of the smart working-class readers who loved Royko, the Tribune broadened its base and increased its circulation advantage. The man was a deserving Pulitzer Prize winner with Chicago street cred. Though early identifying himself as a Democrat, he was always fiercely independent, the scourge of corrupt players and a major thorn in the Machine’s side.

Royko was now the Tribune’s page three champ, taking on Chicago’s connected heavyweights with powerful jabs that couldn’t be thrown by the city’s handful of Republicans.

I ate up 13 more years of Royko commentary. Then 1997 happened, with several losses from my perspective. Two happened within three days: Royko’s death at 64, then my father’s at 73. Painful losses, but never lost were the heard and read lessons of two men whose character, work, and sense of humor stayed with me. I felt lucky to have had these great Midwestern presences in my life.

Who could replace Royko, our Chicagoan in America’s edgy commentary tradition of Twain and Mencken? His work was a wonder of fearless reporting on the muscle flexers and the virtue peddlers. Could anyone else play that position?

Four months later the call-up for page three appeared, some guy named Kass. He better be good, I thought.

He sure was. JKN readers know later versions, but if you navigate through archives (and some paywalls) you can read / re-read great early versions of his takes on Christmas, beer can chicken, the Lovely Sicilian, the family-anchor mother, the Outfit, the Smarty-Pants Elite, Zeus the Wonderdog, and other wonders of Chicago nature.

Kass’ columns came from streets travelled by Royko, and were often, like Mike’s, more fun than a barrel of monkey-business aldermen (sent to prison). And Golden Moutzas arrived, raining down wise-guy justice.

But his columns were more rooted in the neighborhoods of principled social and political conservatism. And they inspired at least one other writer.

A number of my op-ed columns were published by the Tribune before and during Kass’ column there (also by the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and some other op-ed pages, if you’ll pardon the aside).

Minor as they were, my Tribune contributions were appreciated by the paper’s strong-minded, broad-minded Commentary Editor Marcia Lythcott. A black woman who became an Editorial Board member, her role would have been unimaginable during the old days of Colonel McCormick’s ownership. Growth at the Tower.

Starting in July, 2020, Kass’ days at the Tribune were numbered. The count started during a storm of in-office “goodthink” by fellow Tribune employees over Kass’ “thoughtcrime.” (Those two terms are from the eerily futuristic novel 1984 by a brilliant British writer — once a more conventional socialist — who in 1948 confronted the escalating disaster of all-powerful government.)

In two columns about Chicago’s descent into politically excused crime and increasingly corrupt governance, Kass named the sponsor of that slow-motion nightmare: international currency manipulator George Soros.

A leftist billionaire who despised the capitalist system he conned, Soros barely dipped into his fortune to elect criminal-friendly prosecutors and judges in Chicago and at least 74 other major American cities and distinct jurisdictions. Soros’ $2 million gift to Chicago was the re-election of Cook County’s criminally sympathetic State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

In Foxx’s Soros-sponsored 2020 re-election, her opponent won suburban areas of Cook County, but she won overwhelmingly among Chicago voters who thought prison sentences were mean.

Kass wrote repeatedly about Foxx’s reign of anti-prosecution terror, including the most infamous one, the Jussie Smollett “This is MAGA Country” progressive fantasy crime. Special Prosecutor Dan Webb noted her “substantial abuses of discretion” in that case.

Kass’ accurate accounts of Soros’ advocacy for Chicago’s criminal population and of the city’s larger sinking ship enraged Tribune leftists who wanted Kass gone.

The times they were a-changing at “the paper” (as it’s been called at JKN with deserved irony) and in other papers. I’d noticed that the Tribune and other newspapers that had published me earlier seemed to have removed two editorial welcome mats: one for a sense that contrarian conservative opinion was valid, the other for a sense of humor.

Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund that bought the Tribune in May, 2021, quickly and selectively cut costs, a common move in a time of tanking newspaper circulation and sanitized political perspective.

Remember the “want ads”? Newspapers’ late-20th century circulation disaster is most associated with dinner-hour TV news and creeping semi-literacy, but a major contributing factor was the internet’s death blow to newspapers’ cash cow of want ads. That loss might have seemed penny-ante, but it wasn’t.

Within a month of Chicago’s new hedge fund journalism era, the new owners sanitized the Tribune of its two prominent conservatives, first Kass, then outstanding Editorial Page Editor and writer Kristin McQueary. Why was Kass, with his large audience and national reputation, so quickly sent packing?

The job was rushed by reliable tools of the left: a politically orthodox labor union and a concocted smear. The Tribune Guild screamed the slander that Kass’ criticism of Soros’ pro-criminal investments was nothing but antisemitism — because Soros was Jewish.

Kass’ columns said absolutely nothing about Soros’ ethnicity or religion, and used no anti-Semitic “tropes,” as the union thugs alleged. The charge of anti-Semitism was not simply false, it was a strategic lie, like the charges that any opposition to an Obama policy was motivated by racism.

You’re excused if you skimmed through the previous paragraphs. Revisiting an old, preposterous lie is wearisome. But then, some ideologues still believe the heavily reported, Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction that Trump collusion with Russian operatives won him the 2016 election.

The Guild’s smear was obvious and easily disproved, but in less than a year it served its purpose.

Consider Kass’ experience in 2020 and later by imagining how you (especially you trolls) might have handled the malicious attacks showered on him. Have you ever been harassed by falsehoods promoted by co-workers? What if they published “exposes” of a home you’d moved your family to because the city you fled was turning into a haven for repeat criminals?

Consider whether local violence and expensively dysfunctional government could be a factor.

Dare to recall mayor “my d*** is bigger than yours” (who next became a Senior Leadership Fellow at Harvard ). How about successor mayor “it is not constructive to demonize” (young rioters)? He’s still on the job, sort of. Working for CTU, he’d done Chicago the service of organizing disastrous teachers strikes in 2012 and 2019. His current incompetence as a mayor probably looks less disturbing from across a state border.

Removed from his audience, Kass immediately moved to reconnect with it by establishing a website. Not an easy enterprise, but he succeeded at it. As Chicago continued becoming more impaired by crime and debt, Kass’ columns became a more irreplaceable resource. Readers again had commentary not restricted by left-leaning corporate media.

Then 18 months later, new challenges: a heart attack, quadruple bypass surgery, a series of strokes, tough time recovering in strange beds, and a pasta ban. But with courage as a family resource, Kass survived.

He gets around with a cane now. Yet he still writes columns that nobody else can write. Guest columnists contribute to his site, but since nobody else has his Chicago experience and history-inflected voice, that’s a challenging contribution, believe me.

I’d guess he might be uncomfortable with this column, viewing hero nominations with skepticism, never recognizing a hero in the mirror. Maybe a certain Sicilian will persuade him to run it.

Though I feel like I know him from his work over 29 years, I’ve still never met him face-to-face. We are two opposite-pole ex-Chicagoans.

My old home city, now plagued by scary-clown mayors and revolving-door jails, has my best wishes from behind the Cheese Curtain. It probably has the same from the writer who carries on gamely in the greater Hammond area, the possible new NFL site. (Which is worse: Bears management or Illinois government?)

This white-bread suburbanite spent a few years in declining Chicago, then moved to uncomfortably ascending Packersland (while still subscribing for years to the Tribune). A Chicago refugee like Kass, I can imagine finally meeting him. Maybe we could find a neighborhood bar on the West Side, raise two small glasses of Greek beer and enjoy just a few ounces of braised lamb.

A meeting would be nice but isn’t necessary. I know him. So do you.

-30-

Bittinger is a non-distinguished graduate of Glenbard West High School. (You should see its wall of Distinguished Alumni Awards).

He’s also a graduate of Vassar College’s first coed class, and as a devoted admirer of Mahler, still finds his brilliant, complex symphonies easier to understand than brilliant, complex women.

Comments 43

    1. exactly Mike! Great article and synopsis of the downfall of Chicago newspapers. I did not know the history but I do recall looking forward to Mike Royko’s columns. Bravo!

    2. It is columns like this that make me happy to be part of this group of Chicago folks! All the great memories and feelings communicating with you all. God bless, stay safe and keep growing!!

  2. To this day I am saddened this city hasn’t any thriving, objective and hard hitting news media.
    Then why do I have a gleeful glance at that tiny newspaper rack at my local independent grocery store? At the start of the day and by the end of it, it has 3 Suntimes and 3 Tribune. Both issues are as heavy and thick as a quarter. Pathetic journalism in Chicago is deserving of this humiliation.

  4. Wonderful column Sir. Hard to believe you have never met John. I miss the old Chicago Tribune and have fond memories but like old girlfriends she isn’t coming back and certainly not in the same form.

    2. I, like you, thought that this excellent article was a prelude to a retirement party for John. Thank God that it’s not!
      John, just let me take this opportunity to tell you how much you mean to Chicagoans, past and present. I know that your health is failing you, and you’ve got to listen to your doctors, and of course, your beautiful wife, Betty. I’m sure that they’ve had heart to heart talks with you about hanging up the apron. But I implore you, please reconsider. Pleeeeeze…you’re necessary.

  6. Love it! Boy can I relate. Never much of a sports fan till I went to work for Andy Frain. Managed to get my mug on the front page of the tabloid my first job pulling the “Hello” float at the State Street Christmas parade. Then it was the Hawks forever. From reading the Trib Comics pages to the front page. And Metro. Dave Condon … in the wake of the news … and Royko were the conscience of the City. The old time pols better watch out. Then came Kasso. Enough said. We are all here to get a moments truth 4x a week. It is a refuge from the pablum of television news today. Where are you Len O’Connor, Jim Ruddle, Walter Jacobsen? Continued improving health to you John. We cannot afford to lose your insights and thank you to all the great guest writers filing in any gaps.

    1. What an excellent column! I could have written it myself because you described exactly how I felt. We canceled our “paper “ subscription too then moved out of state to escape the crime and taxes. Covid and George Floyd riots did us in. It saddens us to see the destruction of this once beautiful city.

  7. Nice homage to a great columnist. Newspapers were a big part of my formative years with the Times, Trib, Daily News, and an occasional Today scattered about. The stack of Sunday papers was a foot high! Now? I don’t subscribe to any hard copy papers or magazines.

    My how things have changed. The song “video killed the radio star” immediately came to mind when reading this column, but in addition to changing delivery methods of news, reporters turned into partisan sycophants who, rather than asking the the 5 Ws of journalism, ask “who does this serve”. What’s NOT covered is sometime the bigger story. Indontbthinkmwell ever get back to “just the facts” coverage of anything.

    Continued prayers for health to John Kass.

  9. Excellent column! So many of us have never met John in the flesh, but feel we are friends from years of reading his columns while nodding yes as we agree with what he is saying, and smiling at some of his family or non political stories. Keep submitting columns, sir. Good stuff.

  12. Outstanding! I, too, would love to meet the man face to face one day, but, like you, feel I’ve grown to know him well all these years since his appearing on the journalistic stage after the heart-breaking loss of Mr. Royko. Be well and stay well, John! We need you!

  13. The proof of the Chicago Tribune demise is the stat provided earlier this week by Scot Bertram. The weekday circulation of the Trib decreased from 2000 to 2026 by 93% (600,000 to 44,000). The Trib’s best deal is now 26 weeks for $26 including a $30 Jewel saving coupon and even at that level, I will not bite.
    When my grandmother had a dog, she had the dog paper trained and would lay out newspapers in her basement for her dog. If she was alive, that would be the only use of Chicago Tribune.

  14. David,
    I completely agree with your review of the decline of Chicago’s ( and America’s) legacy media. It’s one of the biggest disappointments of my adult life.

    Since current events may delay your meeting with John at a local establishment for a chat and an adult beverage I have a suggestion. How about joining John and Jeff on a Chicago Way Podcast. That way we can listen in on what would undoubtedly be an interesting and entertaining conversation. Just a thought. Thanks.

    1. John Kass, James Banakis and David Bittinger :
      red-blooded Americans couldn’t imagine a world without Mercury Cougars or Plymouth Barracudas.
      We couldn’t believe the V-8 engines built in Wisconsin by American Motors Corporation would fade into history.
      Life without Pontiac or Oldsmobile seemed unthinkable. But somehow we survived the losses.
      When the last issue of sleazy Chicago Tribune is tossed into a stinking grimy dumpster, not one former subscriber will shed a tear.

  17. Excellent column as usual David Bittinger. You and I have a shared respect for Glen Ellyn, where I attended College of DuPage.
    My years of volunteer work for Pro-Life congressman Henry Hyde were spread across 6th District. My friends and I built and installed thousands of yard signs for Henry.

    We always endured vandalism from abortion enthusiasts, but destruction escalated while Henry was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. During Bill Clinton’s impeachment, hundreds of our yard signs were spray-painted, mangled, sliced with razors or set on fire.
    The committee’s concern was lying to grand juries and witness tampering (both felonies). As Clinton’s deception increased so did pressure from Democrats to silence whistleblowers.

    Hatemonger Alec Baldwin said on television congressman Hyde and his family should be stoned to death. He repeated it on several shows, to wild applause. John Kass wrote a Tribune column titled “Alec Baldwin Could Fit Right In – As a Neanderthal,” criticizing violent Hollywood rhetoric.

    In 1999, Henry Hyde thanked John Kass on the floor of the House of Representatives, praising his courage and entering Kass columns into the official Congressional Record.
    Patriotic John Kass will always hold a place in the hearts of Christian families.

  19. Great, great column, David! I also grew up an avid reader at an early age, and in later years couldn’t wait to open the Tribune to read John Kass’s takes on everything Chicago, everything food, Greeks, and the politics. I do not recognize our country today, it’s been taken over by clowns, socialist ideas, “influencers”, and all faces of Alice In Wonderland characters. It’s a joke. Thanks again for a great read.

  20. Great column! You should meet with John Kass at the earliest opportunity so you wont miss out on him forever.
    I too started reading Royko at the Chicago Daily News soon after I found my first job at Chicago in the summer of 1973. I started at the 208 LaSalle Street Bldg (my office occupied spaces in 3 buildings, then!) and used to watch the foundation concrete pour for the Sears Tower during lunch hours. And I used to like his “comments, calls and great thoughts from readers” on Tuesdays, on page 3 of Tribune.
    But towards the end, I stopped reading him and buying the paper when I learnt that he was living in one of the Kennel Worth mansions!, before starting again when John Kass came in.
    Now, I am sorry to hear his days too could be numbered like mine but wish him luck.
    -Nambi

    1. “comments, calls and great thoughts from readers” on Tuesdays, on page 3 of Tribune shall read;
      “Calls, Comments and Great thoughts” from readers.
      -Nambi

  21. Nicely done, David. I think you covered it all quite well.
    I too first thought this was terrible news on the JK front and am glad it’s not.

    I am happy to say I’ve joined you in the land of cheese. Farewell to the communistic state of Pritzker. To be fair, it’s been going downhill beyond his years, but he is fast tracking. In the end, he might challenge Dan Walker as the worst governor the state ever had. May he join Kerner and Ryan as a convict.

    Maybe a Skype call in the interim on that west side bar meet. At least you could see each other.

  22. Great letter. Royko, then Kass. Someone should offer to compile Kass articles into books like Royko did. Absolute blessing, Kasso. He holds sway as he should.

    Maybe, some day, he holds a BBQ on his land for contributers and commenters. A Big Tent as it were.

    Round tent 🙂

  24. Great column as usual David. A once great newspaper town has been reduced to the two biased and untruthful rags unfit to line a birdcage. The Chicago Fibune and Slum Times have both adopted the motto ” never let the truth get in the way of a good spin”. A favorite pastime of mine these days is to go through the Chicago Fibune and the local
    (I’m in a Houston suburb) Houston Chronicle and point out the various untruths by omission and outright lies published in both. My wife is pretty sure I’ve lost a few marbles, for sure. I probably should really get a hobby, like, say stamp collecting? Probably wouldn’t be as much fun though. Sending some positive vibes to John. Hope both of you have a great day!

  25. First,GO DA BEARS! Second,all I want for Xmas besides NFL games(2),is a John essay about his relatives in Greece planning to come over here or how they celebrated there. Third,the Tribune Company exploited readers and some reporters for a very long time,making big profits off stupid syndicated tv shows like Geraldo or even your WGN News at 9. The Tribune sale to Alden Capital Media was stupid but the easy way for remaining managers to cash out. The Sun Times is the better paper if anyone cares. John Kass even with a cane or too many pills daily is a better read than Bob Greene was in the old Tribune days. I will disagree with his take on some politicians including Obama but not his right to believe he is right. Great non wake tribute by his friend. Onward….

  27. David, you asked: (Which is worse: Bears management or Illinois government?)

    Answer: Illinois government. If you were from Cleveland you would not have asked in the first place.

  28. Boy, that was like a tonic for what politically ails me… I’m with you all the way! 🙂
    Just one nitpick: I was intrigued by the cartoon. I guess it speaks for itself, that the woke antifa BLM progressive mob is gonna getcha! I thought that would be a big theme in the column, but no. Oh well.

  29. Threw the Trib in the morning and the American in the afternoon. Had a route in Roseland, and do remember the Sunday Trib felt like it weighed 50 lbs. Anyway, stopped subscribing when the fired John. The idea that your lead columnist is a sissified Clarence Page is sickening.
    That said, most papers I consumed when traveling from Orlando, Phoenix, San Jose, Houston, etc, have all become literal rags.
    What a shame.

  33. David,

    The newspapers of this country continue to wonder why, like a burned grapevine, they are withering and dying. They want to blame it all on advertising (which is a major issue).

    I will submit it all started when they decided to take sides and unlike MJ they ignored the fact that conservatives buy shoes, and papers, too.

  35. Nice column Mike. Similar newspaper background. Trib in the morning, Daily News in the evening…….for the Royko column. While in grade school I read “Boss”. After college subscribed to ST’s until Ryko’s exit then to Trib……..which out of habit I STILL have a home delivery subscription. Best wishes for Kass’s health and family, I hope you two are able to meet some time.

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