
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
70 dogs rescued from storm-damaged trailer in Merrillville hoarding investigation
Merrillville police are investigating an alleged hoarding situation after 70 dogs were rescued from a trailer damaged during last week's severe storms.
Ford City Mall could be demolished for $200M industrial development
People who live near Ford City Mall protested at Chicago City Hall as the Chicago Plan Commission voted to approve rezoning the property for light industrial use.
Chicago shooting leaves 1 dead, 1 seriously wounded on Southwest Side
One man was killed and another was seriously wounded in a shooting Wednesday afternoon on Chicago's Southwest Side.
16 teens arrested after rave at Chicago's Congress Theatre, police say
Chicago police arrested 16 teenagers after officers responded to an unsanctioned rave inside the historic Congress Theatre.
Robbins mayor grazed in deadly shooting at Harold's Chicken and Ice Bar
Robbins Mayor Darren Bryant was grazed when a masked gunman opened fire inside a restaurant early Saturday. A private security guard reportedly returned fire, killing the gunman. A DJ was also wounded. The gunman who died has been identified.
South Chicago Chapel investigation: Attorneys offer free legal advice to families
Chicago police are investigating a funeral home as the Cook County medical examiner’s office continues working to identify over 50 people whose remains were found improperly stored in deplorable conditions on Aug. 6.
Northwest Indiana tornadoes leave damage, power outages and gas shortages
The National Weather Service confirms an EF-1 tornado traveled through Munster and an EF-2 tornado entered St. John, Indiana.
Severe storms leave some northwest Indiana residents scrambling for gas amid power outages
Storm damage is widespread across Munster and other parts of northwest Indiana after severe weather swept through on Tuesday.
Chicago elementary school shooting leaves 2 custodians dead, police say
Two custodians are dead after a shooting Monday afternoon at a Chicago elementary school, authorities said.
Two women robbed at gunpoint in Chicago warn others to stay alert
Two women who were robbed at gunpoint on Chicago’s South Side are warning others to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings.









