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Gene Siskel was the movie critic for Channel 2 News from 1974 until his death in 1999. In these clips from 1978 and 1979, we see some of his lighter moments in the newsroom, and particularly his repartee with anchorman Walter Jacobson.
Jacobson won the Dominic DiFrisco Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in 2020 to honor the life and legacy of the public relations executive who founded the Dante Awards.
At a luncheon on Thursday, Jacobson was presented with the 2025 Dominic DiFrisco Lifetime Achievement Award.
These are highlight clips of live coverage from Bill Kurtis, Walter Jacobson, and the Channel 2 News team of Pope John Paul II's visit to Chicago in October 1979, including a prayer service at Holy Name Cathedral where Luciano Pavarotti sang "Ave Maria," and of course, the pope's open-air mass in Grant Park. Original airdates: Oct. 4-5, 1979.
While his move to New York took place nearly 40 years ago, Donahue is remembered fondly to this day among those who worked with him in Chicago.
Phil Donahue moved production of "Donahue" from CBS Chicago's old Streeterville headquarters to New York City at the beginning of 1985. In this clip, Don Craig has a look back on Donahue's show over the years, and Donahue himself joins Walter Jacobson to talk his success in Chicago and his impending move. This aired as part of the Channel 2 News at Six with Don Craig and Harry Porterfield.
In this Channel 2 News clip from 1978, Walter Jacobson explains the way chroma key, or green screen, technology works, and why it meant he could no longer wear his favorite tie on the air.
CBS 2's Walter Jacobson has this report on the hazards of shoveling snow in the wake of a winter storm in December 1987, which has been called the "heart-attack snowstorm." Original airdate: Dec. 16, 1987.
This is the seventh and last segment of the Channel 2 News at Six from April 12, 1983. John Coughlin returns with the five-day forecast, and we have a preview of election coverage for the rest of the evening.
In this sixth and final installment of "Mean Street Diary," Walter Jacobson finally makes it into a shelter and reflects on his experiences, as he spent 48 hours undercover as a homeless man during a brutal Chicago winter. Original airdate: Friday, Feb. 22, 1991.
First, Walter Jacobson finds some kindness and the beginnings of camaraderie in meeting some people experiencing homelessness (original airdate: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1991). Then, Jacobson learns it's a challenge to get into a homeless shelter without an "in" (original airdate: Thursday, Feb. 21, 1991), as he spent 48 hours undercover as a homeless man during a brutal Chicago winter.
First, Walter Jacobson is unable to get into a shelter to sleep and ends up lying on the steps of a police station (original airdate: Monday, Feb. 18, 1991). Then, Jacobson is ejected from Union Station and hits the streets (original airdate: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 1991), as he spent 48 hours undercover as a homeless man during a brutal Chicago winter.
In this first installment of "Mean Street Diary," Walter Jacobson shows how he was directed to go away at fancy and casual restaurants alike, and at City Hall, as he spent 48 hours undercover as a homeless man during a brutal Chicago winter. Original airdate: Sunday, Feb. 17, 1991. CBS 2's Brad Edwards has an introduction that ran on our stream in 2021.
This is CBS 2's coverage of the death of Mayor Harold Washington on Nov. 25, 1987. Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson anchor from our old newsroom at 630 N. McClurg Ct., and Jim Avila reports from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
On this day 36 years ago, Geraldo Rivera headed into the real vault of Chicago gangster Al Capone and blasted it open -- only to find nothing of interest. CBS 2's John Drummond was there when it happened, and has this report from our 10 o'clock news on April 21, 1986.
In 1992, John Wayne Gacy talked about his murders for the first time, with CBS 2's Walter Jacobson, and Gacy spent the whole interview attempting to paint himself as a misunderstood victim of circumstance.
Walter Mondale, the 1984 Democratic presidential nominee, died at the age of 93 on Monday. In this CBS 2 News clip from March 12, 1984, Walter Jacobson has a breakdown from the CBS 2 newsroom of the heated primary race between Mondale, Gary Hart, and several other candidates.
In "Mean Street Diary" – a six-part series of reports that began 30 years ago Wednesday on CBS 2 – Walter Jacobson approached the homelessness crisis in a manner that went beyond only reporting.
Going back generations, Chicago city vehicle tax stickers had colorful designs with artworks showcasing the city – but since 2013, the designs have featured only boldface numerals denoting the month and year of expiration.
CBS 2's Walter Jacobson hopes the first lady will convey an urgent message to her husband when she returns from Chicago.
The legendary duo of Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson signed off as anchors Thursday after a re-teaming of more than two years at CBS 2.
CBS 2's Walter Jacobson says lawmakers shouldn't cave to the demands of the NRA that Chicago commuters be allowed to carry concealed weapons.
CBS 2's Walter Jacobson is all for making Chicago more bike friendly, but he has some concerns about Mayor Emanuel's plans for Washington Street in the Loop.
CBS 2's Walter Jacobson is a fan of Valentine's Day, but not of the cost to buy a simple card.
CBS 2's Walter Jacobson has some advice for police officials who are instituting a new priority system for emergency calls.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is set to retire in 2026, but before he leaves Congress he is making one last attempt to pass the DREAM Act.
The Chicago Harbor Lock is facing steep cuts to its federal funding under President Trump's 2026 budget.
A rollover crash in Chicago's Loop shut down part of Wacker Drive overnight.
A former autoworker was given back his retirement through the kindness of strangers.
Four people were injured, two of them seriously, in a crash on Chicago's South Side early Friday morning, police said.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is set to retire in 2026, but before he leaves Congress he is making one last attempt to pass the DREAM Act.
Former Chicago Tribune publisher and editor-in-chief R. Bruce Dold passed away this week.
Authorities say the FBI has arrested a man suspected of placing pipe bombs outside RNC and DNC headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to take a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of an immigrant rights group.
The Pentagon watchdog released its report on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Signal to share details about operations in Yemen.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
The Food and Drug Administration is warning about additional cookware brands that could be leaching lead into your food.
Walgreens said it will close its office space in Chicago's Old Post Office building.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
Two pregnant Black women recently faced alarming neglect at hospitals in Indiana and Texas, highlighting racial disparities in maternal care.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed a bill aimed at protecting vaccine access in Illinois.
Roseland Community Hospital on Monday celebrated the opening of a new sickle cell treatment clinic.
Consumers with the imported pans should throw them away due to the severe health risks posed by lead, the agency warns.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
Small Business Saturday was disrupted by the winter storm for many business owners in Chicago, but in the Rogers Park neighborhood, a group of business owners came together to draw customers.
Three different times over the past year, popular and longstanding Chicago stage theater spaces have made headlines for their demise. But it's not all bad news by any stretch.
A federal judge has called out an immigration enforcement agent for using artificial intelligence to write the narrative of a use-of-force report as just a small part of a scathing opinion that rebutted federal officials' narratives about appropriate force used against protesters and others during an ongoing immigration crackdown in Chicago.
As the Chicago Bears, White Sox, and Fire all push for brand-new stadiums, a new report provided some advice about what teams can do to be successful.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
Starting Wednesday, riders on the Chicago Transit Authority system will hear a recognizable Chicago voice during their commutes.
Three different times over the past year, popular and longstanding Chicago stage theater spaces have made headlines for their demise. But it's not all bad news by any stretch.
Joe Colborn, better known as Joe "JoBo" Bohannon on Chicago radio, died this week.
The Chi-Lites occupy a proud place in Chicago music history, and they aren't done yet.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is set to retire in 2026, but before he leaves Congress he is making one last attempt to pass the DREAM Act.
Jackie Kostek jumpstarts your day with a look at Ruth Page's "The Nutcracker."
The Chicago Harbor Lock is facing steep cuts to its federal funding under President Trump’s 2026 budget.
You can drop off toy drive donations to 145 W. Main Street in Barrington, Illinois.
Multiple people were injured, two of them seriously, in a crash on Chicago’s South Side early Friday morning, police said.
Ten residents were hospitalized after a fire broke out at a West Humboldt Park apartment building overnight.
A south suburban mom says her 6-year-old was sent home early and left alone in the cold for more than an hour.
The Chicago Harbor Lock is facing steep cuts to its federal funding under President Trump's 2026 budget.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is set to retire in 2026, but before he leaves Congress he is making one last attempt to pass the DREAM Act.
A rollover crash in Chicago's Loop shut down part of Wacker Drive overnight.
A Chicago woman battling ALS said she's been struggling just to get a disabled parking space in front of her Bridgeport home.
Days after new Cook County Chief Judge Charles Beach ordered an urgent review of the county's electronic monitoring program, Sheriff Tom Dart said this crisis isn't new, and that he's been warning lawmakers of problems for years.
Charles Beach was sworn in on Monday as Cook County's first new chief judge in 24 years, and takes over amid a political firestorm over what appears to be systemic issues with how accused criminals are being monitored before trial.
Some Chicagoans found out the hard way on Monday that the overnight winter parking ban is in effect.
The electronic monitoring system in Cook County has come under increased scrutiny, after a woman was set on fire in a horrific arson attack on the Blue Line, with critics demanding answers as to why the suspect wasn't already behind bars.
Sitting in 1st-place in the NFC standings isn't the only feel-good story for the Bears, as cornerback Nahshon Wright was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Month.
The Bulls dropped to 9-12 with their fifth loss in a row.
Braeden Bowman forced overtime for the Golden Knights when he put in his own rebound with 2:28 left in the third period.
Caleb Williams plans on picking up right where he left off the last time he faced the Packers.
The Bulls led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, holding the Magic without a field goal for the first five minutes of the period.
The special edition locket was inspired by the James Bond film "Octopussy," which revolves around a plot to steal a rare Faberge egg.
Authorities say the FBI has arrested a man suspected of placing pipe bombs outside RNC and DNC headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
A woman from Chicago's northwest suburbs appeared in court Thursday for a shooting that killed another woman in the South Loop in September.
The man charged with pushing a CTA passenger onto the tracks at a Blue Line station in Chicago's western suburbs on Monday was ordered held in jail, after repeatedly interrupting the judge and prosecutors during his first court appearance on Wednesday.
A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to take a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of an immigrant rights group.
