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General Assignment Reporter Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Tribune Publishing Company

Reporter

Chicago, IL

$19.23/hr

We are looking for an aggressive reporter and skilled writer who can juggle breaking news ... Cover breaking news and general assignment work for the metro desk and identify longer-term ...

Tribune Publishing

Reporter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19.23/hr

We are looking for an aggressive reporter and skilled writer who can juggle breaking news ... Cover breaking news and general assignment work for the metro desk and identify longer-term ...

Tribune Publishing

Reporter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19.23/hr

We are looking for an aggressive reporter and skilled writer who can juggle breaking news ... Cover breaking news and general assignment work for the metro desk and identify longer-term ...

NEWSWELL

Staff Reporter - Wednesday Journal

Oak Park, IL · On-site

$51K/yr

Staff Reporter - Wednesday Journal The Reporter is a general assignment role for a journalist who wants to report frequently, improve quickly and take on increasing responsibility over time. You'll ...

Asuep

Staff Reporter - Wednesday Journal

Oak Park, IL

$51K/yr

Staff Reporter - Wednesday Journal The Reporter is a general assignment role for a journalist who wants to report frequently, improve quickly and take on increasing responsibility over time. You'll ...

Chicago Public Media

Assistant News Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$77K - $85K/yr

The editor will oversee the work of General Assignment reporters on the News Desk by assigning them stories, guiding their reporting and editing their news copy for print and online to ensure it ...

Chicago Public Media

Assistant News Editor

Chicago, IL

$77K - $85K/yr

The editor will oversee the work of General Assignment reporters on the News Desk by assigning them stories, guiding their reporting and editing their news copy for print and online to ensure it ...

Chicago Sun-Times

Assistant News Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$77K - $85K/yr

The editor will oversee the work of General Assignment reporters on the News Desk by assigning them stories, guiding their reporting and editing their news copy for print and online to ensure it ...

All JobsGeneral Assignment Reporter JobsGeneral Assignment Reporter Jobs in Chicago, IL

General Assignment Reporter information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$15.5K

$43.7K

$79.8K

How much do general assignment reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for general assignment reporter in Chicago, IL is $43,656.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,000.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between General Assignment Reporter vs Beat Reporter?

AspectGeneral Assignment ReporterBeat Reporter
Primary FocusCovering a wide range of topics and breaking newsSpecialized coverage of a specific beat or subject
Work EnvironmentVaried, often on short notice, covering different storiesConsistent, in-depth reporting within a specific area
CredentialsJournalism degree, reporting experienceSimilar credentials, often with expertise in the beat

Both roles require journalism skills and reporting experience, but a General Assignment Reporter covers diverse topics, while a Beat Reporter specializes in a particular area. The choice depends on whether you prefer variety or in-depth expertise in a specific field.

What does a General Assignment Reporter do?

A General Assignment Reporter is a journalist who covers a wide range of news stories rather than focusing on a specific beat, such as politics or sports. They are often sent to report on breaking news, community events, crime, human interest stories, and other topics as assigned by their editors. Their day-to-day tasks can vary greatly, requiring flexibility, strong research skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines. General Assignment Reporters must quickly gather information, conduct interviews, and write clear, accurate articles for print, online, or broadcast media.

What are some common challenges faced by General Assignment Reporters in managing diverse story topics and tight deadlines?

General Assignment Reporters often juggle multiple stories on a variety of topics, which requires quick adaptability and strong organizational skills. They typically work under tight deadlines, making it essential to prioritize tasks and efficiently gather accurate information from different sources. Balancing breaking news coverage with longer-term feature stories can be demanding, but it also offers opportunities to develop a wide-ranging skill set and build relationships across newsroom teams. Collaboration with editors, photographers, and digital teams is key to producing timely, well-rounded stories.

What Is a General Assignment Reporter?

A general assignment reporter writes about and reports on various topics for a newspaper, news website, or television station. As a general assignment reporter, the story types you are reporting on can range from human interest to breaking news. Your assignments change on a regular basis, depending on the most pressing events of the day. Your primary duties revolve around finding content for your report. A general assignment reporter job is a great way to gain experience before becoming an editor, news director, or columnist. Most general assignment reporters earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, or a related field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a General Assignment Reporter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a General Assignment Reporter, you need excellent writing, research, and interviewing skills, typically supported by a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), digital publishing tools, and multimedia equipment is often required. Strong soft skills include curiosity, adaptability, time management, and effective interpersonal communication. These abilities are crucial for producing accurate, timely, and engaging news stories in a fast-paced and ever-changing media environment.
More about General Assignment Reporter jobs
General Assignment Reporter jobs near you
Infographic showing various General Assignment Reporter job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 33% In-person, and 67% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,656 per year, or $21 per hour.
Reporter

Reporter

Tribune Publishing Company

Chicago, IL

$19.23/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Summary:

The Daily Southtown, part of the Chicago Tribune news group, is looking for a versatile general assignment reporter to cover the news-rich south suburbs of Chicago. We are looking for an aggressive reporter and skilled writer who can juggle breaking news assignments with compelling enterprise and trend pieces that are important to a local audience.

What you will do:

  • Produce pieces on a regular basis, with the ability to smoothly conceptualize, conceive, and execute big-picture stories that could take weeks or even months to complete while balancing daily tasks

  • Cover breaking news and general assignment work for the metro desk and identify longer-term enterprise stories

  • Respond to breaking news, crafting engaging feature stories, and examining local issues

  • Take photos, seek out opportunities for investigations and projects, and collaborate with other journalists

What you will bring:

  • A track record of executing breaking stories on a tight deadline

  • Crisp writing, accuracy, a commitment to fair play, and the ability to tell stories about people that go beyond the statistics

  • Insightful reporting and a commitment to serving the public by exposing inequities and holding the powerful to account

  • The ability to be collaborative, creative, collegial, high-energy, and dogged in pursuit of the story

  • Fluency in Spanish is a plus

Benefits and Compensation:

The hourly wage is $19.23. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility). Please click the following link for more detailed information: www.mytribpub.com

Who we are:

Founded in 1847, the Chicago Tribune, is the top source of news and information in the Chicago area and the largest news organization in the Midwest. The Tribune, winner of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, is known for its innovative investigative reporting, insightful coverage of the arts and culture, and community-leading opinion writing. As the cornerstone of Chicago Tribune Media Group (CTMG), the Chicago Tribune anchors a diverse network of publications. This includes six daily suburban papers, over 30 hyperlocal weeklies, Chicago Magazine, and digital offerings that inform, engage and connect communities.

EEO Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

How To Apply:

  • Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here. In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter and 5 samples showcasing your best work.

Closing Date:

  • Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions of Employment:

  • A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks

  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation

  • Travel - This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed

  • Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours

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