Chicago Tribune

About Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and owned by the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (for which WGN radio and television is named), it remains the principal daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan region and the Midwestern United States and is currently the 8th largest newspaper in America by circulation.

On April 2, 2007, the Tribune announced a buy-out plan worth $8.2 billion. It will be associated with a stock buy back at $34 per share, and an Employees Stock Ownership Plan. The new chairman is Chicago real estate magnate Sam Zell. Also as part of the deal the Chicago Cubs and their park, Wrigley Field, will be sold, as well as the Tribune's share of Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

The Tribune was founded by James Kelly, John E. Wheeler and Joseph K.C. Forrest, publishing its first edition on June 10, 1847. The paper saw numerous changes in ownership and editorship over the next eight years. Initially, the Tribune was not politically affiliated but tended to support either the Whig or Free Soil parties against the Democrats in elections (Wendt 1979, p. 23, 27-28). By late 1853 it was frequently running xenophobic editorials that criticized foreigners and Roman Catholics (Cole 1948, p. 14). About this time it also became a strong proponent of temperance (Keefe 1971, p. 131). However nativist its editorials may have been, it was not until February 10, 1855 that the Tribune formally affiliated itself with the nativist American or Know Nothing party, whose candidate Levi Boone was elected Chicago mayor the following month (Keefe 1975, p. 233-4).