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
Vigil held for missing Gary teen as search continues 18 months later
Loved ones held a vigil in Gary, Ind. as search efforts continue for Ja’Niya McMichael, who has been missing since August 2024, urging the public to come forward with information as authorities suspect foul play.
Chicago nurses rally against ICE, call for shift to health care funding
Nurses in Chicago joined others across the country Thursday in a coordinated protest against federal immigration enforcement, gathering in the city’s Medical District to call for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a shift in funding toward health care.
City Council falls short in attempt to reinstate hemp ban
Chicago’s City Council failed to veto Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto of a ban on intoxicating hemp products. That means the hemp businesses can breathe easier, knowing their livelihood is not being threatened.
Lunar New Year celebrations begin in Chinatown
Chicagoans are celebrating Lunar New Year, a 15-day festival, by cleaning homes, paying debts, and shopping for lucky foods and gifts like oranges to welcome prosperity in the Year of the Fire Horse.
Community honors 16-year-old who fought for her father's release from ICE amid cancer battle
Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old Lake View High School junior battling stage 4 cancer, is being remembered for her courage in fighting for her own life while successfully advocating for her detained father’s release and protection from deportation before her death.
Chicago mayor vetoes controversial hemp ban amid concerns from small businesses
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday vetoed a controversial ban on hemp products.
Love letters from prominent Chinatown couple on display at Chinese American Museum
More than 300 love letters exchanged in the 1960s between longtime Chinatown leaders Bernie and Albert Wong are now on display at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago in an exhibit titled "All My Love."
Gary declares itself open for business, eyes Chicago Bears
The Mayor of Gary, Indiana, declared his city open for business and is aiming to lure the Bears from Chicago.
Fewer flights, longer lines: Shutdown snarls travel at Chicago airports
Flight restrictions begin Friday to ease the strain on the system, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Already, there were multiple delays at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Travelers say they are watching for texts and emails from their airlines.