Brandon Pope
Brandon Pope is an Emmy Award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience covering the people, policies and institutions shaping Chicago and the Midwest.
Since 2012, he has covered politics at the local and national levels, reporting from Chicago and key battleground states including Michigan and Wisconsin. His work spans television, radio, digital and print, with reporting and commentary featured by the Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ, Block Club Chicago, Ebony Magazine and The Root. He got his start in South Bend, Indiana at WBND before jumping to the Chicago market in 2016.
In addition to politics, Pope has produced award-winning entertainment and sports journalism. He's a licensed film critic with the African American Film Critics Association. His coverage experience includes Hollywood red carpets, college football, the Indy 500, WNBA Finals and The Olympic Games.
Beyond the newsroom, Pope serves as president of the National Association of Black Journalists - Chicago Chapter , where he has championed the next generation of journalists, expanded professional development opportunities and helped raise hundreds of thousands for scholarships and community programming. Pope is also an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, where he helps prepare emerging journalists for careers in a rapidly changing media industry.
An Ohio native with Indiana roots, Pope graduated from Ball State University with degrees in Journalism and Telecommunications. You can catch him talking all things politics, sports and pop culture.
The latest from Brandon Pope
Could Chicago get a city charter? Illinois lawmakers consider new proposal
The balance of power at Chicago City Hall could eventually be placed in voters’ hands.
Chicago School Board race surpasses $6 million in PAC spending
Chicago’s first fully-elected school board race is becoming a multimillion-dollar political battle.
Filmmaker Bassam Tariq explores grief, faith and family in ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’
Acclaimed director Bassam Tariq sits down with Brandon Pope and Tia Ewing for Good Day Chicago to talk about his new film, "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother."
Rahm Emanuel returns to Chicago, talks mentorship, Bears stadium and political future
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel returns to the city he led for eight years, touting his work to expand mentorship programs for local kids.
Cook County budget: Preckwinkle avoids layoffs, new taxes, but warns of tough 2028
Preckwinkle says the county is “tightening its belt" so that they are not asking residents for a single additional dollar this year, while absorbing a $550 million gap.
Chicago ramps up debt collection while offering relief to struggling residents
As a December budget deadline looms, Mayor Brandon Johnson is going in depth on Chicago's debt collection efforts and relief for those who can't pay their bills
Former Illinois GOP leader bucks party to endorse Pritzker
A former leader of Illinois Republicans is crossing party lines in the race for governor.
Chicago aldermen seek probe into mayor's World Business Chicago ads
Chicago aldermen questioned whether promotional videos produced by World Business Chicago featuring Mayor Brandon Johnson amount to city marketing or political advertising during a hearing Thursday.
Chicago City Council draws budget battle lines ahead of Dec. 30 deadline
Chicago is getting ready for another big fight over the city budget.
Chicago parking meter deal hits roadblock as aldermen seek changes
Chicago’s plan to finally get something back from the infamous 2008 parking meter deal ran into trouble Friday, after finance chair Pat Dowell chose to defer and publish the measure after sensing opposition to the ordinance.