2025-12-11T12:28:25+00:00 2025-06-30 331498605 Plante & Moran PLLC 10 SOUTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA 9TH FLOOR CHICAGO IL 60606 990 2024-07-01 874304197 CHICAGO SUN-TIMES MEDIA INC CHIC 3123213000 848 EAST GRAND AVENUE NAVY PIER CHICAGO IL 60611 MELISSA BELL PRESIDENT 2025-12-11 true true LU ANN TRAPP P01506476 3122071040 2024-11-10 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X MELISSA BELL 848 EAST GRAND AVENUE NAVY PIER CHICAGO IL 60611 31360570 false X HTTPS://CHICAGO.SUNTIMES.COM X 2022 DE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY PROVIDING NEWS AND INFORMATION THROUGH LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM. 5 4 178 4 6812936 0 11188146 5060397 27942801 25988184 21742 50711 306899 261278 39459588 31360570 0 0 19428777 19605620 0 3535868 21158543 18492333 40587320 38097953 -1127732 -6737383 32090972 24350233 5528941 5449826 26562031 18900407 CHICAGO SUN-TIMES SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY STRENGTHENING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGH INDEPENDENT LOCAL JOURNALISM. false false 30655590 19324139 CHICAGO SUN-TIMES MEDIA, INC IS A 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY STRENGTHENING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGH INDEPENDENT LOCAL JOURNALISM. CHICAGO SUN-TIMES MEDIA PRODUCES ACCESSIBLE, TRUSTED NEWS, INFORMATION AND PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS ALL CHICAGO AREA RESIDENTS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS EVERY DAY, PARTICIPATE IN OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND MAKE THE MOST OF OUR REGION. 30655590 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false true false false false false true 103 0 true 178 true true true false false false false false false false false false false X 5 4 false true false false true true true true true false false false true true true true true false false true false false CA IL IN MI NY WI X X DEBRA CHAMRA 3128938592 848 EAST GRAND AVENUE CHICAGO IL 60611 MATTHEW MOOG PRESIDENT - THRU 09/2024 20.0 20.0 X X 0 904910 38565 MELISSA BELL PRESIDENT - BEG. 09/2024 20.0 20.0 X X 0 184922 5865 ADRIENNE KING BOARD CHAIR (THRU 9/24) 1.3 1.3 X 0 0 0 ARETAE ORTIZ WYLER DIRECTOR 1.3 0.0 X 0 0 0 KRISTEN MACK DIRECTOR 1.3 0.0 X 0 0 0 LAURA VAN PEENAN DIRECTOR (BEG 9/24) 1.3 0.0 X 0 0 0 LERRY J KNOX JR DIRECTOR (THRU 9/24) 1.3 1.3 X 0 0 0 NIVINE MEGAHED PHD BOARD CHAIR (BEG 9/24) 1.3 0.0 X 0 0 0 CYNTHIA PHOTOS ABBOTT SECRETARY 16.0 24.0 X 0 349975 29814 DEBRA CHAMRA TREASURER - BEG. 03/2025 8.0 32.0 X 0 225296 25169 RINA DEDHIA TREASURER - THRU 02/2025 20.0 20.0 X 0 402877 37857 BRIAN M WATSON CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER 40.0 0.0 X 274510 0 7104 JENNIFER J KHO KRUPNICK EXECUTIVE EDITOR 40.0 0.0 X 288601 0 21668 CRISTINA ESCOBEDO CONTROLLER 40.0 0.0 X 181101 0 11200 DAVID L NEWBART MANAGING EDITOR 40.0 0.0 X 163165 0 11861 FRAN STONE CITY HALL REPORTER 40.0 0.0 X 155009 0 1248 KAITLYN JAKOLA EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 168538 0 3423 LYNN D SWEET WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF 40.0 0.0 X 179742 0 10640 1410666 2067980 204414 28 false true false MADISON MARKETING AGENCY LCC 1133 BAL HARBOR BLVD STE 1139-321 PUNTA GORDA FL 33950 DIRECT MAIL SERVICES 312607 MILLENNIAL SERVICES LLC 3338 MARQUETTE TRAIL MICHIGAN CITY IN 46360 INBOUND CIRCULATION CALL CENTER 234001 ANDREW BOUNDS 125 INDIANAPOLIS CT MANTECA CA 95337 RETENTION TELEMARKETING SERVICES 167053 3 5060397 5060397 CIRCULATION REVENUE 513110 18925118 18925118 PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING 513110 6812936 6812936 WIRE SERVICE REVENUE 513110 250130 250130 0 0 0 0 25988184 50711 50711 148891 148891 0 0 0 0 OTHER REVENUE 900099 112387 112387 0 0 0 0 112387 31360570 19324139 6812936 163098 X 3223303 1714982 1099984 408337 13607372 11125315 1545811 936246 179176 146645 20752 11779 1533579 1070062 367993 95524 1062190 863122 125936 73132 88160 61813 26347 109280 65924 43356 5569627 5048878 303639 217110 503860 270860 233000 315380 157272 86244 71864 1552490 1109438 172363 270689 45975 37359 5451 3165 382914 366358 14233 2323 37176 29897 7027 252 94407 76714 11193 6500 322642 262175 38253 22214 PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION 7019329 6895619 123710 2451093 1353157 37913 1060023 38097953 30655590 3906495 3535868 6563112 7121249 11901177 6022836 1216377 1620759 0 0 0 0 533946 493935 642534 403857 321599 238677 0 0 11554761 8852777 32090972 24350233 2572350 2281154 2956591 3168672 0 0 0 0 5528941 5449826 X 10401838 8874938 16160193 10025469 26562031 18900407 32090972 24350233 X -6737383 -894900 -29341 X false true true false X 32107702 10330920 11188146 5060397 58687165 0 0 0 32107702 10330920 11188146 5060397 58687165 37139401 21547764 67273 253252 183091 148891 652507 0 0 0 0 0 0 19186 123735 145550 163098 451569 59791241 72788109 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 Other Income DESCRIPTION - OTHER INCOME, COLUMN A - , COLUMN B - 19186.0, COLUMN C - 123735.0, COLUMN D - 145550.0, COLUMN E - 163098.0, COLUMN F - 451569.0; RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true true 965 false false false false false false 965 false Schedule C, Part II-B, Line 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE LOBBYING ACTIVITY Employees of Chicago Sun-Times Media engaged in a limited amount of lobbying in connection with a print advertisement to advocate against the rescission of federal funding for public media. 642534 403857 238677 238677 DUE FROM AFFILIATE 8852777 8852777 35521068 -2 -2 35521070 -4160500 -4160500 31360570 39022192 924239 924239 38097953 0 0 38097953 Schedule D, Part XI, Line 2(d) Other revenues in audited financial statements not in form 990 ROUNDING - -2 Schedule D, Part XI, Line 4(b) Other revenues in form 990 not in audited financial statements TRANSFER TO OPERATING ACTIVITY - -4160500 Schedule D, Part XII, Line 2(d) Other expenses in audited financial statements not in form 990 OCCUPANCY SHARED SERVICES EXPENSE - 924239 false false false false false false false true false MATTHEW MOOG PRESIDENT - THRU 09/2024 0 407378 0 240188 0 257344 0 13800 0 24765 0 943475 0 0 MELISSA BELL PRESIDENT - BEG. 09/2024 0 184922 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5865 0 190787 0 0 RINA DEDHIA TREASURER - THRU 02/2025 0 332877 0 70000 0 0 0 13800 0 24057 0 440734 0 0 CYNTHIA PHOTOS ABBOTT SECRETARY 0 279975 0 70000 0 0 0 13160 0 16654 0 379789 0 0 DEBRA CHAMRA TREASURER - BEG. 03/2025 0 210296 0 15000 0 0 0 9336 0 15833 0 250465 0 0 JENNIFER J KHO KRUPNICK EXECUTIVE EDITOR 253601 0 35000 0 0 0 4990 0 16678 0 310269 0 0 0 BRIAN M WATSON CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER 224510 0 50000 0 0 0 5327 0 1777 0 281614 0 0 0 CRISTINA ESCOBEDO CONTROLLER 181101 0 0 0 0 0 3312 0 7888 0 192301 0 0 0 LYNN D SWEET WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF 179742 0 0 0 0 0 1334 0 9306 0 190382 0 0 0 DAVID L NEWBART MANAGING EDITOR 163165 0 0 0 0 0 3300 0 8561 0 175026 0 0 0 KAITLYN JAKOLA EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 168538 0 0 0 0 0 2485 0 938 0 171961 0 0 0 FRAN STONE CITY HALL REPORTER 155009 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1248 0 156257 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 7 Non-fixed payments AS INDICATED IN SCHEDULE J, PART II, THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER RECEIVED DISCRETIONARY BONUSES BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE. Schedule J, Part I, Line 3 ACCORDING TO THE BYLAWS OF CHICAGO SUN-TIMES MEDIA, INC., ("CSTM") THE CEO OF CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA ("CPM") SERVES EX OFFICIO AS THE PRESIDENT OF CSTM. THE PRESIDENT IS PAID BY CPM AND COMPENSATION WAS DETERMINED BY THE CPM COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. THE CSTM BOARD DID NOT REVIEW OR APPROVE THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION. THE CSTM BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMPRISED OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE ADEQUACY AND REASONABLENESS OF THE COMPENSATION OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF CSTM. THE PROCESS INCLUDED REVIEW OF A REPORT PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ANALYZING COMPENSATION DATA FROM COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HIRES AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT TO PREPARE THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPORT EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE REPORT IS UPDATED ANNUALLY. THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE BOARD REGARDING COMPENSATION ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE BOARD'S MEETING MINUTES. THE BOARD MEETS ANNUALLY TO REVIEW AND APPROVE SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. MATTHEW MOOG FORMER PRESIDENT 107227 CSTM REIMBURSED RELATED ORGANIZATION, CPM, FOR A PORTION OF THE AMOUNT CPM PAID WAVETABLE STUDIOS LLC, WHICH IS OWNED BY CSTM'S FORMER PRESIDENT, FOR TRANSITIONAL SERVICES AFTER HIS DEPARTURE. THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE ARRANGEMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE RELATED ORGANIZATION'S, CPM'S, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. false Form 990, Part VI, Line 3 Delegation of management duties THE ORGANIZATION HAS A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH A RELATED ORGANIZATION, CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, INC. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND ALSO STRATEGIC GUIDANCE, FUNDRAISING, MARKETING AND LEGAL COUNSEL. Form 990, Part VI, Line 6 Classes of members or stockholders THE SOLE MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION IS CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, INC., AN ILLINOIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION. Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a Members or stockholders electing members of governing body THE SOLE MEMBER HAS THE RIGHT TO ELECT ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION. Form 990, Part VI, Line 7b Decisions requiring approval by members or stockholders IN ADDITION TO THE RIGHTS AND POWERS ACCORDED A MEMBER BY DELAWARE LAW, THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OR CONSENT OF THE MEMBER SHALL BE REQUIRED WITH RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING: A. ELECTION OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION; B. APPROVAL OF THE BORROWING OF ANY SUM, THE PRINCIPAL OF WHICH EXCEEDS $50,000, OR WHICH HAS A STATED TERM OF GREATER THAN ONE YEAR, OR WHICH IS SECURED BY A MORTGAGE OF ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE CORPORATION'S REAL PROPERTY OR THE CREATION OF A SECURITY INTEREST IN THE CORPORATION'S ASSETS, INCLUDING PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REVENUES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LENDER, LESSOR OR VENDOR, OR THE DEFEASANCE, ADVANCE PAYMENT OR CANCELLATION OF ANY OUTSTANDING DEBT OF THE CATEGORY DESCRIBED HEREIN; C. APPROVAL OF ANY VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALE OR TRANSFER OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE CORPORATION'S ASSETS (DEFINED AS 10% OR MORE), OR ANY CREATION OF A SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE CORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION; D. APPROVAL OF ALL ANNUAL AND LONG-TERM CAPITAL, OPERATIONAL BUDGETS AND STRATEGIC PLANS OF THE CORPORATION; E. ADOPTION OF, APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO, OR AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION; F. APPROVAL OF ANY GUARANTY OF DEBT; G. APPROVAL OF ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE CORPORATION'S INSURANCE SPECIFICATIONS OR LIMITS; H. APPROVAL OF THE SELECTION OF, OR CHANGES OF, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS; I. APPROVAL OF ANY SALE OR TRANSFER OF CORPORATION ASSETS TO A NON-AFFILIATED ENTITY OR A THIRD-PARTY ENTITY; AND J. APPROVAL OF ANY CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND A THIRD PARTY WHICH INVOLVES THE PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES HAVING A VALUE IN EXCESS OF $250,000 FOR CAPITAL OR $500,000 IN AGGREGATE FOR OPERATING AND CAPITAL WHICH HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY MEMBER IN AN ANNUAL CAPITAL OR OPERATING BUDGET. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS PRESENT THE RETURN TO THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES MEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER, BEFORE IT IS FILED WITH THE IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy WE REVIEW AND MONITOR DISCLOSED CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b Process to establish compensation of other employees THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES MEDIA, INC.'S (CSTM) PRESIDENT IS PAID BY CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, INC. (CPM) (SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT). COMPENSATION WAS DETERMINED BY THE CPM COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, THE CSTM BOARD DID NOT REVIEW OR APPROVE THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE MEMBER SERVES EX OFFICIO AS PRESIDENT OF CSTM. THE CPM COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMPRISED OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO. THE PROCESS INCLUDED REVIEW OF A REPORT PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ANALYZING COMPENSATION DATA FROM COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HIRES AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT TO PREPARE THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPORT ONCE EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE REPORT IS UPDATED ANNUALLY. THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE'S MEETING MINUTES. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MET IN AUGUST 2025. THE CSTM BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMPOSED OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE ADEQUACY AND REASONABLENESS OF THE COMPENSATION OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF CSTM. THE PROCESS INCLUDED REVIEW OF A REPORT PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ANALYZING COMPENSATION DATA FROM COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HIRES AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT TO PREPARE THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPORT EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE REPORT IS UPDATED ANNUALLY. THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE BOARD REGARDING COMPENSATION ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE BOARD'S MEETING MINUTES. THE BOARD MET IN AUGUST 2025 TO REVIEW SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g Other Fees CONTRACTOR FEES: - Total Expense: 3711784, Program Service Expense: 3711784, Management and General Expenses: 0, Fundraising Expenses: 0; CONSULTANTS: - Total Expense: 937587, Program Service Expense: 598675, Management and General Expenses: 169478, Fundraising Expenses: 169434; OTHER PROFESSIONAL FEES: - Total Expense: 920256, Program Service Expense: 738419, Management and General Expenses: 134161, Fundraising Expenses: 47676; Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Other changes in net assets or fund balances TRADE EXPENSE - -29341; Total - -29341; Form 990, Part B, Amended Return, Schedule J, Part II A one-time retention payment paid to the former President by related organization, Chicago Public Media, of $257,344 was included in Schedule J, Part II, Column (B)(i), but upon further review, was determined that it should be and is now appropriately included in Schedule J, Part II, Column (B)(iii). CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA INC 848 E GRAND AVE NAVY PIER CHICAGO IL 60611 363687394 SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY DELIVERING DIVERSE, COMPELLING CONTENT IL 501(c)(3) 7 NA false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true true true true false true