The Chicago Reader laid off six non-union workers this week to cut costs and avoid shutting down, according to an announcement from the paper’s publisher on Tuesday.
This news came the day after Solomon Lieberman, the CEO of the Reader Institute for Community Journalism (RICJ), resigned from his position.
Since being sold by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2018, the Reader has faced financial difficulties, leading to operational challenges that put the newspaper at risk of closing, the publication said.
To stay afloat, the Reader plans to make changes to its operations, focusing on reaching more donors and launching crowdfunding efforts. The organization also aims to secure advance payments and agreements for future partnerships and advertising, while speeding up efforts to increase revenue.
“We are committed to preserving the Chicago Reader’s legacy and will do everything we can to secure its future,” said Amber Nettles, the Reader’s publisher. “We appreciate everyone’s support and patience during this tough time.”
