
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
3 injured in Aurora building collapse at site of previous incident
Three people suffered minor injuries after scaffolding and part of a brick wall collapsed in downtown Aurora on Wednesday evening, at a building previously damaged in 2025.
Family demands justice for Chicago man killed in drive-by shooting
Family and friends of a 21-year-old Chicago man killed in a drive-by shooting while making Instacart deliveries with his father marched to demand justice and honor his life on Tuesday night.
Man charged in Chicago sex assault; victim says police took 4 hours
A Chicago man faces six felony charges in the recent sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman who says police took four hours to respond, despite repeated 911 calls.
Bears' D'Andre Swift serves up new menu at Jake Melnick's in Chicago
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift met fans at Jake Melnick's and unveiled a limited-edition menu featuring wings, dipping sauces and a hoagie inspired by his Philadelphia roots.
Construction flagger critically injured in crash near Palos Park
A 34-year-old construction flagger was critically injured Monday morning in a crash on Archer Avenue near Parker Road in suburban Chicago's Palos Park area.
Chicago hemp businesses face uncertain future as Illinois ban nears
Chicago hemp businesses are bracing for new Illinois restrictions taking effect Nov. 12, with some facing potential closure while licensed cannabis dispensaries anticipate more customers.
Pritzker urges Illinois voters to send a message to Washington
Campaign stops across Illinois over the weekend brought Democrats together ahead of Election Day.
Loyola University seeks dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit filed by 10 women
Loyola University is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by 10 women who allege the school mishandled sexual assault complaints as the plaintiffs continue pushing for a trial next September.
SWAT standoff in Lowell, Indiana, ends after police surround home
A SWAT standoff at a home in Lowell, Indiana, ended Thursday evening after police surrounded the property. The coroner responded, but authorities have not confirmed what happened.
Woman critically wounded in apparent road rage shooting on Chicago's Southwest Side
An apparent road rage incident ended with a woman critically wounded Thursday morning in Brighton Park, city officials said.









