Chicago’s Bill Cameron Announces Retirement

• Legendary Chicago political reporter Bill Cameron, host of Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron, Sunday evenings on Cumulus Media’s 890 WLS-AM, announced his impending retirement, capping off a brilliant 51-year career. Cameron’s last day on-air will be Friday, August 20, which is, fittingly, his 21st anniversary at 890 WLS-AM. Cameron will spend that day sharing stories and insights from his remarkable tenure with Bruce St James from 5:30-9am, and later, with John Howell from 4-7pm. “The time has come for me to plan my retirement,” Cameron said. “I’ve enjoyed covering Chicago politics very much, but half-a-century on the day-to-day beat is probably enough. Time to go visit many more national parks!”

Stephanie Tichenor, PD of 890 WLS-AM, commented, “No matter what the news entailed, you could always count on Bill to bring it to you accurately and without bias. Never swayed by the political winds of the day, Bill’s interviewing and reporting skills will not only be missed by us here at the Big 89 but by Chicago as a whole. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Cameron, who is considered the “dean” of radio political reporters in Chicago, originally joined the City Hall beat in 1970 and served as the Political Editor of the late 670 WMAQ until its demise in 2000, joining WLS shortly thereafter. Cameron is the winner of two Edward R. Murrow Awards, has shared in a Peabody Award, and has received numerous AP, UPI, and Gabriel awards for his work. He holds a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Indiana University. The son of an Illinois High School Hall of Fame football coach, Fred Cameron, he has called football and basketball games on radio in addition to working as a trainer and referee in sports.

WLS News Director Nick Gale remarked, “Bill is one of the most important cogs in the wheel that moves the needles at WLS. Having covered the City Hall beat since 1970, first with 670 WMAQ and later with WLS, Bill is a walking encyclopedia of political knowledge. Having covered nine mayors, numerous governors, as well as an endless stream of government corruption, his institutional knowledge of the ins and outs of city and state government will be greatly missed. Personally, I’m humbled to have been able to work with him and learn from him. I know I speak for everyone in the newsroom past and present when I say that we wish nothing but the best to the ‘dean’ of Chicago political reporters as he prepares to enjoy a much-deserved retirement.”