Veteran Chicago political journalists discuss the divided and abusive nature of current U.S. society
Three retired Chicago journalists, Mike Flannery, Derrick Blakley, Craig Dellimore, and Jim Williams, recently gathered for a roundtable discussion about their careers and the current state of contemporary politics.
The quartet worked together at various points in their careers, with Flannery and Blakley at CBS News Chicago (formerly Channel 2 News), Dellimore at WBBM Newsradio, and Williams currently working as a general assignment reporter for our2, anchoring the station's weekend evening newscasts, and producing/hosting the documentary series "Stories 2 Tell."
With a combined journalistic career spanning over a century, they have witnessed key political events and developments, sharing a deep passion for both local and national politics. Flannery's career was notably influenced by Mike Royko’s political reporting.
During the discussion, they reflected on their long careers and their concerns about the current political climate marked by division, hateful rhetoric, and occasional violence. They reminisced about their experiences covering politics in Chicago's rich political scene and voiced their worries about the current deep political divides eroding constructive dialogue.
Dellimore, who retired in June of this year, emphasized the importance of journalists keeping to the truth in navigating political polarization. Blakley, who retired in 2019, expressed concern about the increase in political rhetoric that demonizes opponents and creates hatred.
Flannery, who has a 50-year career, worked at the Sun-Times and Channel 2 News for 30 years, starting in 1980. Blakley's journalistic career spans 47 years, having started at the Chicago Tribune in 1976 and working for Channel 2 News. Dellimore's journalistic career spans 52 years, having joined WBBM Newsradio in 1983 and becoming political editor for the station in 2001.
The roundtable aims to provide insight from veteran journalists who observed political shifts firsthand, emphasizing the challenges of reporting in today’s polarized atmosphere. You can find this discussion in CBS Chicago’s coverage from August 2025, including a nearly 30-minute video where Williams, Flannery, Blakley, and Dellimore reflect on these topics.
In addition to their careers, the roundtable also touched on Dellimore's time hosting the "At Issue" public affairs show. The discussion offers a unique perspective from experienced journalists who have dedicated their careers to reporting on politics, providing valuable insights into the current political climate.
During the roundtable discussion, the journalists expressed their concerns about the current political climate, marked by division, hateful rhetoric, and occasional violence, especially in the context of national and local politics. They emphasized the importance of journalists keeping to the truth in navigating political polarization, as failure to do so can lead to demonization of opponents and the creation of hatred.
