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
Community gathers in prayer after series of deadly incidents in Southern Will County
Community members gathered in Crete and Crete Township to pray and support one another after a series of recent tragedies, including a fatal shooting, a triple homicide, and a deadly house fire.
3 children, 71-year-old man killed in Chicago-area house fire
Four people, including three local students, died in a house fire early Wednesday in Chicago's south suburbs.
ICE agents deployed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, mayor responds
Federal immigration agents have been deployed at O'Hare International Airport, prompting concern from Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Community honors fallen Chicago firefighter Michael Altman
Residents gathered to honor the firefighter who died last week, while battling a fire. They decorated Hiawatha Park, a special place for Michael Altman and his family.
Chicago City Council votes to keep subminimum wage for tipped workers, despite mayor’s opposition
The Chicago City Council voted to pause the increase of the subminimum wage for tipped workers, over the objection of Mayor Johnson.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss wins 9th Dist. Democratic primary race, AP projects
Democratic voters are choosing among a large field of candidates in the 9th Congressional District.
Chicago firefighter seriously injured while responding to North Side fire
A Chicago firefighter is hospitalized in serious condition after responding to a fire on the city’s North Side, officials said.
Kankakee residents continue tornado cleanup as severe weather returns
Kankakee residents are still cleaning up from Tuesday’s tornado as severe weather returned Sunday with heavy rain and falling temperatures, adding to challenges for those who lost homes and property and prompting preparations to help people come in from the cold.
Community rallies after deadly tornado in Lake Village, Ind.
Lake Village, Indiana is recovering after an EF-3 tornado destroyed homes and businesses, killed two elderly residents, and prompted an outpouring of community support as volunteers, utility crews and state officials work to restore power and provide aid.
Man charged after yelling ICE threats, throwing liquid at kids outside Chicago dance studio
A man has been charged after a confrontation outside a dance studio went viral with a couple throwing liquid at kids and allegedly making racist comments.