Political Reporter

Job Description FOX Chicago is seeking a dynamic and driven Political Reporter to lead coverage of local, state, and national politics with a strong emphasis on digital storytelling and audience engagement. This role requires a journalist who thrives on breaking news, holds public officials accountable, and delivers content across broadcast, web, mobile, and social platforms. Key Responsibilities Report, write, and deliver compelling political stories for daily newscasts and digital platforms Develop and maintain relationships with sources within government, campaigns, and policy organizations Produce in-depth enterprise and investigative political coverage File quickly and accurately for FOXChicago.com, live blogs, and social media Create digital-first content including articles, explainers, and video clips optimized for online audiences Appear live on-air for breaking political coverage and analysis Collaborate with producers, digital teams, and assignment editors to shape coverage Use data, public records, and research tools to uncover impactful stories Engage with viewers through social media platforms and community events Monitor political trends and identify stories that resonate with a Chicago-area audience Digital Responsibilities Write and publish multiple web stories daily with SEO best practices Produce short-form and long-form video content for digital platforms Contribute to live streams, special coverage, and election night reporting Leverage analytics tools to inform story decisions and audience growth Maintain an active and professional social media presence (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) Experiment with new formats such as newsletters, podcasts, or explainers Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Political Science, or related field 3–5+ years of reporting experience, preferably covering politics Strong understanding of local, state, and national politics Proven ability to break stories and cultivate sources Excellent writing, live reporting, and storytelling skills Experience publishing to digital platforms and CMS tools Familiarity with SEO, social media strategy, and audience engagement Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom Strong editorial judgment and commitment to journalistic ethics Preferred Skills Experience covering Chicago or Illinois politics Multimedia skills (shooting/posting video on social media) We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law. Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $60.00-72.00 per hour. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement. View more detail about FOX Benefits.