RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Jim Johnson, Chicago's WLS-AM iconic newsman, has officially announced his retirement; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his decision by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Jim Johnson has been an integral and beloved fixture of WLS-AM radio for an incredible forty-five continuous years; and
WHEREAS, The son of a writer, reporter and columnist, Jim Johnson inherited his father's passion for reporting the news; and
WHEREAS, Jim Johnson got his start in journalism working as a television news reporter and anchor at WIIL-TV while earning his bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and
WHEREAS, Joining WLS-AM as a reporter, newswriter and editor in 1968, Jim Johnson has worked in the WLS newsroom in many capacities; and
WHEREAS, For most of the last twenty years, Jim Johnson has reported the news during Roe Conn's afternoon radio broadcasts; and
WHEREAS, A gifted raconteur, Jim Johnson has gained a loyal following among listeners for his quirky sense of humor, thoughtful opinions, spontaneity and unique perspectives on life and the news; and
WHEREAS, A 1995 recipient of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for News Coverage, Jim Johnson has worked with many of the legends of Chicago radio, including Larry Lujack, Fred Winston, John Landecker, Steve Dahl and Garry Meier; and
WHEREAS, Jim Johnson has touched the lives of many in Chicago and beyond with his wisdom, gentle wit and warm personality; and
WHEREAS, As he begins a new chapter in his life, we wish Jim Johnson all the best for much success in his future endeavors; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-sixth day of June, 2013, do hereby commend Jim Johnson for his decades of excellence in broadcast journalism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Johnson.