Joanie Lum
Joanie Lum has more than 20 years of experience reporting for Chicago-area stations, most recently serving for six years as a general assignment reporter for WBBM-TV. Prior to that, she spent 16 years as a general assignment reporter for WGN-TV.
Earlier in Lum's career, she spent a year as a reporter, anchor, producer and weathercaster at WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois. Before that, she was an associate producer for one year at KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Her first broadcasting job was reporting for the student-run, commercially-owned KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri.
Throughout her career, Lum has interviewed numerous newsmakers, most notably His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his 1996, 1999 and 2007 Chicago visits. She was part of the team that earned the 2008 Chicago Emmy Award for Spot News for coverage of the NIU shootings, as well as the 2005 National Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage within a Newscast for "Farewell to the Pope." She was also honored with two Emmy Awards for her work on the 2003 and 2004 Chicago Marathon broadcasts.
From 2000-2001, Lum wrote a column for the Chicago Tribune, "Adventure Shopping with Joanie Lum," chronicling her experiences hosting the WGN-TV segment, "Around Town."
A graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Lum holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. She is a past president of the Asian American Journalists Association's Chicago chapter and is currently an advisory board member of the Chinese American Service League, Inc.
The latest from Joanie Lum
Veteran Chicago Fire Department member dies during training exercise, officials say
A Chicago Fire Department member died Thursday during a training exercise, department officials said.
Indiana gambling ring case tied to restaurants moves forward after 22 defendants plead not guilty
All 22 defendants charged in a sweeping federal gambling and extortion case tied to northwest Indiana restaurants pleaded not guilty Thursday during arraignments in federal court in Hammond.
22 defendants to appear in court on Thursday in northwest Indiana gambling case
Twenty-two defendants in the northwest Indiana gambling ring investigation are expected to appear in federal court for arraignment on gambling and extortion charges.
Indiana sheriff’s spending tied to raided restaurant raises questions
The top law enforcement official in Lake County, Indiana, allegedly spent thousands of dollars at a restaurant raided by federal agents last month.
Teen killed in NW Indiana party shooting identified
The teen who was shot and killed at an post-prom party in Indiana has been identified.
Deadly shooting at after-prom gathering in Porter County leaves community shaken
A post-prom party in Porter County turned deadly when three teens were shot—killing one and injuring two—in an isolated incident that has left the community shaken as police continue investigating.
Two Chicago businesses team up for a recipe of innovation
Two of Chicago’s popular Asian cafés are combining to share food, drink, and the culture of hospitality. It’s a collaboration of different cuisines.
Tinley Park car wash manager saves pregnant woman’s life after sudden collapse
A car wash manager in Tinley Park saved a pregnant woman’s life by acting quickly when she collapsed from a brain aneurysm, leading to a later reunion and the safe birth of her baby.
Cubs fan saved by White Sox fan’s kidney throws first pitch at Wrigley Field
A Cubs fan who went viral seeking a kidney was saved by a White Sox fan who donated one, and the pair will now throw out ceremonial first pitches at Wrigley Field to celebrate her recovery.
Delays reported in Chicago body removal services after contract change: 'A lot of angry families'
Chicago is facing reported delays in body removal services, with former technicians saying response times have slowed since a new company took over the contract.