Jackie Bange is an award-winning news anchor and reporter at WGN-TV in Chicago, Illinois. She was born on September 8, 1961, in Miami, Florida.
Bange has been with WGN-TV since 1993 and is a trusted face in Chicago news for over 30 years.
Her career spans decades of covering major events and breaking news stories. She is known for her excellence in reporting, her commitment to journalism, and her work in the community.
Who is Jackie Bange?
Jackie Bange is a weekend anchor and reporter for WGN-TV in Chicago. She co-anchors the station’s weekend newscasts, including WGN News at Five, Nine, and Ten.
Her career in broadcast journalism spans more than 30 years in the Chicago television market.
Bange is known for her in-depth reporting and her ability to cover complex stories with clarity and compassion.
She has reported from locations around the world, including Africa and France. Her work has earned her recognition from major journalism organizations.
She is also active in the Chicago community, supporting organizations that focus on education, domestic violence prevention, and health advocacy.
Bange mentors young journalists and volunteers with several nonprofits. Jackie remains one of Chicago’s most familiar and trusted news anchors.
She continues her weekend anchor role at WGN while staying involved in community service and journalistic mentorship.
Early Life of Jackie Bange
Her early years in Miami shaped who she would become as a journalist.
Jackie Bange Age
Jackie Bange is 65 years old as of 2026, born on September 8, 1961. She began her broadcasting career in the late 1980s and has since become one of Chicago’s most recognizable news anchors.
Her career achievements have made her a respected figure in Midwest broadcast journalism.
Jackie Bange Ethnicity and Nationality
Jackie Bange is American. She was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in the state before pursuing her journalism career.
Her background in South Florida shaped her early interest in news reporting and current events coverage.
Jackie Bange Education
Jackie Bange earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University in Management Information Systems.
She later pursued her passion for journalism and earned a post-baccalaureate degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida, graduating with distinction.
Her education combined technical knowledge with communication skills, preparing her for a career in broadcast journalism.
The University of Florida recognized her academic excellence when she completed her telecommunications degree.
This combination of technical and communication training proved valuable throughout her broadcasting career.
Her formal education provided the foundation for her success in reporting, anchoring, and journalistic storytelling.
Jackie Bange Career
Jackie Bange started her broadcasting career as a noon anchor and reporter for WPEC-TV, the CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida.
During her time there, she covered city hall and created the nation’s only weekly local scuba diving report, showcasing her versatility and unique reporting skills.
Early Career
Before joining WGN-TV, Bange worked at WMAQ-TV in Chicago from 1989 to 1992. At the NBC-owned station, she served as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor.
This role gave her valuable experience covering Chicago’s news landscape and building relationships with the local community.
She learned to handle breaking news, conduct interviews, and deliver stories that mattered to Chicago viewers.
Her work at WMAQ-TV established her as a capable journalist in a major market.
Career at WGN-TV
Bange joined WGN-TV in August 1993 as a general assignment reporter. Her early work at WGN included covering a wide range of stories across Chicago.
In January 1995, she was named co-anchor of the WGN Morning News, a position she held until October 1995.
In October 1995, Bange moved to the weekend edition of WGN News at Nine as co-anchor, a role she has held for over 30 years.
She has become one of the station’s most consistent and recognizable anchors.
Notable Coverage
Throughout her career, Bange has covered major events that shaped the nation.
She reported on the Presidential election nights of Barack Obama in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020.
These historic moments were part of her long record of covering critical events.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Bange reported a story called “Into the Darkness.”
She profiled two local Chicago pilots and their crew who were the first to arrive in New Orleans and help rescue hundreds of stranded residents.
Using night-vision goggles, she recreated the dramatic rescue for viewers, bringing the story to life in a way few journalists could.
Bange has also reported from international locations, traveling to Africa and Paris, France, to cover stories of global significance.
Her international reporting reflects her commitment to bringing important stories to Chicago viewers.
Recent Work
Bange continues her weekend anchor role at WGN-TV as of 2026. She works with co-anchors including Tahman Bradley, Mike Janssen, and Lauren Magiera on the weekend news team.
Her long tenure at WGN has made her a familiar face in Chicago households.
In recent years, Bange has also worked with Elmhurst College‘s Mentor Program, helping students interested in journalism develop their skills.
She volunteers her time to shape the next generation of journalists.
Jackie Bange Awards and Recognition
Jackie Bange has won several major awards throughout her career. In 1999, she earned an Emmy Award for Best Feature Reporting.
This honor recognized her work on a series about a group of skydivers who set a world record for the largest skydive formation.
In 2005, her Hurricane Katrina story “Into the Darkness” won the Illinois Associated Press Award for Best Hard News Feature.
The story stood out for its compelling use of night-vision footage and its powerful narrative about rescue and survival.
Bange also won the Peter Lisagor Award in 2009 for Hard News and In-Depth Reporting.
She received this award for her work helping a widow get justice for her husband, who was killed by a suspected drunk driver.
The story showed Bange’s dedication to investigating issues that matter to families.
In 2020, Bange was inducted into the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
This honor recognizes her 50 years of service or significant contributions to the television industry.
The Silver Circle induction placed her among Chicago’s most respected broadcast journalists.
These awards reflect Bange’s excellence in reporting, her ability to tell important stories, and her impact on Chicago journalism.
Jackie Bange Husband
Jackie Bange is married to George Strickland. The couple has built a life together while Bange pursued her career in television news.
Little public information is available about how they met or the details of their relationship, as Bange has kept her personal life largely private.
Her marriage has remained strong throughout her three decades at WGN-TV. Despite the demanding schedule of weekend news anchoring, she has maintained her commitment to both her career and her family.
Bange’s ability to balance her professional responsibilities with her personal relationships has been part of her success as a journalist and public figure.
Her marriage to Strickland has provided stability as she navigated the challenges of television news.
Jackie Bange Children
Jackie Bange is the mother of three children. While Bange has kept the names and specific details about her children private, she has spoken about being a devoted mother alongside her professional commitments.
Being a parent while working as a weekend news anchor requires careful balance. Bange has managed to build a successful career while raising her family.
Her approach to motherhood reflects the same dedication and discipline she brings to her journalism.
Bange has prioritized family while maintaining her standing as one of Chicago’s most respected news professionals.
Jackie Bange Community Involvement
Beyond her work at WGN, Bange is involved in several community organizations.
She serves on the board of the Michael Matters Foundation, which helps people fighting brain cancer.
Her involvement shows her commitment to supporting health advocacy in Chicago.
Bange is also active with A Safe Place, a domestic violence prevention organization in Lake County.
She participates in fundraising efforts to support the organization’s mission. This work reflects her commitment to protecting vulnerable families.
Additionally, Bange volunteers with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, The West Deerfield Township Food Pantry, and Feed My Starving Children.
These organizations address food insecurity in the Chicago area, and her volunteer work shows her dedication to helping those in need.
Jackie Bange Personal Life and Hobbies
In her free time, Jackie Bange is an active person who enjoys several athletic pursuits.
She is passionate about skydiving, having completed the activity multiple times throughout her life. Her interest in extreme sports shows her adventurous personality.
Bange is also an avid scuba diver, which connects to her early work creating scuba diving reports while at WPEC-TV in West Palm Beach.
She has maintained this interest throughout her career and continues to pursue diving when she can.
Athletic training is another major interest for Bange. She believes in staying physically fit and maintaining her health.
This dedication to fitness has helped her maintain the energy required for her demanding job as a weekend news anchor.
Bange has also completed seven triathlons throughout her life. In 2009, she completed the Olympic-length Chicago Triathlon, demonstrating her commitment to endurance sports and personal challenges.
These athletic achievements show her determination and competitive spirit.
Traveling is another passion. She has visited many countries and regions around the world, both for work and personal exploration.
Her international experiences have broadened her perspective and informed her reporting.
Jackie Bange Net Worth
Jackie Bange’s estimated net worth is $5 million as of 2026. Her primary income comes from her long career as a weekend news anchor at WGN-TV.
With over 30 years at the station, she has built significant earnings from her anchor position.
As a senior anchor at a major television station in a top-10 market, Bange’s salary reflects her experience and the value she brings to WGN.
News anchors in major markets like Chicago typically earn substantial compensation, especially those with decades of tenure and proven track records.
Beyond her WGN salary, Bange’s net worth may include income from her volunteer mentorship work and any speaking engagements.
However, her primary wealth comes from her position as one of Chicago’s most established news anchors.
Jackie Bange Social Media
Jackie Bange maintains a professional presence in Chicago’s news community but does not have widely known public social media accounts with massive followings.
She is most accessible through WGN-TV’s official website and social media channels, where the station shares her reporting and anchor work.
Viewers can follow WGN-TV on social platforms to see Jackie’s latest work, weekend newscast clips, and community involvement.
The station’s official accounts feature her reporting and keep the Chicago audience updated on her work.
Those interested in her journalism can also watch her weekend news broadcasts on WGN-TV and visit the station’s website for her latest stories and coverage.
The Bottom Line
Jackie Bange has spent more than three decades as one of Chicago’s most trusted news voices.
Few journalists have maintained such a consistent presence in a major market while continuing to produce excellent work and serve their community.
Her legacy is built on honest reporting, adventurous journalism, and a genuine commitment to helping Chicago understand itself and the world.
