Some anchors just feel like a constant — and for Chicago viewers, Jackie Bange is exactly that. As a weekend news anchor and co-anchor of WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten, she has been a trusted face on WGN-TV for over three decades, bringing breaking news, human interest stories, and investigative reporting to audiences across Illinois with the kind of calm authority that’s hard to fake.
In my experience covering broadcast journalism profiles, few careers are as well-rounded as Jackie Bange’s. Born on September 8, 1961, she built her foundation at WPEC-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida, then moved to WMAQ-TV in Chicago before joining Nexstar Media Group’s WGN-TV in August 1993 — a role she has held ever since. Her academic background in Telecommunications from the University of Florida and Management Information Systems from Florida State University gave her a strong base, and her work ethic did the rest, earning her a Regional Emmy Award, the Peter Lisagor Award, and induction into the prestigious Chicago Emmy Silver Circle.
But Jackie’s story goes far beyond the newsroom. She is married to George Strickland and is a proud mother of three children. Off camera, she is deeply committed to community involvement, supporting organizations like Michael Matters, A Safe Place, and Elmhurst College’s mentorship program. In this biography, I’ll walk you through everything worth knowing — her age, net worth, estimated annual salary, personal life, and what makes her one of the most respected figures in Chicago journalism today.
Who is Jackie Bange?
Jackie Bange is an award-winning American broadcast journalist who has spent over three decades delivering news to Chicago audiences. She currently works as a weekend anchor and reporter at WGN-TV in Chicago, Illinois, where she co-anchors WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten.
Her reporting style is grounded and thoughtful. She covers everything from breaking news and crime investigations to human interest stories and international assignments, always connecting with viewers through clear delivery and genuine storytelling.
Beyond the anchor desk, Jackie supports mentoring programs for journalism students and contributes to several charitable causes, making her one of the most respected and recognizable figures in Chicago broadcast journalism.
What is Jackie Bange Best Known For?
Jackie Bange is best known for co-anchoring the weekend editions of WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten, a role she has held consistently since October 1995. Her longevity on Chicago television alone sets her apart in the industry.
She is also widely recognized for her award-winning journalism. In 1999, she won a Regional Emmy Award for Best Feature Reporting for her series on a team of skydivers attempting to break the world record for the largest skydive formation. A decade later, in 2009, she earned the Peter Lisagor Award for hard news and in-depth reporting after helping a widow seek justice for her husband’s death in a suspected drunk driving homicide.
Her special report “Into the Darkness,” produced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, remains one of the most memorable pieces of her career. It profiled Chicago-area pilots who were among the first to arrive in New Orleans and help rescue hundreds of stranded residents.
Early Life of Jackie Bange
Jackie Bange was born on September 8, 1961, in the United States, with most sources pointing to Miami, Florida as her birthplace. She grew up in a household deeply rooted in broadcasting, which shaped her path from an early age.
Her father worked as a news anchor in both Miami, Florida, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her mother served as a weather girl in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for nearly two decades before retiring. That kind of family tradition in television gave Jackie an insider’s perspective on the industry long before she ever stepped in front of a camera.
She has spoken about being proud to carry that legacy forward. The identity of her parents has largely been kept out of the public eye, but their influence on her career is something she has never shied away from acknowledging.
Jackie Bange Age
Jackie Bange is 64 years old as of 2026. She was born on September 8, 1961, and celebrates her birthday every year on the 8th of September. Her birth sign is Virgo.
Over six decades, she has built a career that most journalists only dream of — and she shows no signs of slowing down.
Jackie Bange Nationality
Jackie Bange is American. She was born in the United States, with her early years connected to Florida and later Pennsylvania through her family’s broadcasting roots. She has spent a significant portion of her professional life in Chicago, Illinois, where she remains based today.
She is a proud U.S. citizen whose career has been shaped entirely within American broadcast journalism.
Jackie Bange Education
Jackie Bange’s academic background reflects a strong dual focus on communication and technology. She earned her post-baccalaureate degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida, graduating with distinction — a detail that speaks to her academic commitment.
She also holds an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems from Florida State University. That combination of broadcast communication and information systems gave her a well-rounded foundation for a long career in media.
Her educational background has clearly informed her approach to journalism — analytical, precise, and deeply informed.
Jackie Bange Height and Weight
Jackie Bange stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches, according to various public sources. Specific weight details have not been officially confirmed or disclosed.
She carries an active, athletic build that reflects her personal commitment to fitness, including competitive skydiving and completing multiple triathlons throughout her life.
How old was Jackie Bange when she started her career?
Jackie Bange began her television career at WPEC-TV, a CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she worked as a noon anchor and reporter. Based on her birth year of 1961 and the timeline of her early career, she was in her late 20s when she first stepped in front of a camera professionally.
By 1990, she had moved to Chicago to work as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor at WMAQ-TV, an NBC-owned-and-operated station. That puts her at around 28 to 29 years old when she made that significant career move to a major media market.
She joined WGN-TV in August 1993 at approximately 31 years old — and that chapter has now stretched into three decades of consistent on-air work.
Professional Journey of Jackie Bange
Jackie Bange’s career is a textbook example of steady, intentional growth in broadcast journalism. She started small, built her skills in a regional Florida market, moved into one of the country’s largest television markets, and has stayed at the top of Chicago news ever since.
Her career timeline spans more than 30 years of on-air experience, covering everything from local community stories to international reporting assignments. Each station she worked at added a new layer to her professional foundation.
What stands out most in her journey is consistency. She hasn’t chased fame or jumped between markets for bigger contracts. Instead, she built deep trust with Chicago audiences — and that loyalty has defined her career.
Early Career Beginnings in Florida
Jackie Bange launched her broadcast career in West Palm Beach, Florida, working at WPEC-TV, the local CBS affiliate. There, she served as a noon anchor and field reporter, covering local news stories and developing the on-air skills that would later serve her well in a much larger market.
Starting in a mid-sized Florida market gave her the room to grow without the intense pressure of a major city newsroom. She handled general assignment reporting, which means she covered a wide range of stories — crime, community events, weather, and more.
That early experience in Florida gave Jackie a solid career foundation and the kind of versatile reporting skills that made her ready for the next big step.
Transition to a Major Media Market
In 1990, Jackie Bange made the jump from Florida to Chicago — one of the country’s top television markets — when she joined WMAQ-TV, the NBC-owned-and-operated station in the city. This was a defining career move that elevated her profile significantly.
At WMAQ-TV, she worked as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor. Moving from a regional market to a major media hub like Chicago required not just skill, but adaptability and resilience. She handled both roles with professionalism, covering a broad range of stories across the city.
Her time at WMAQ-TV proved she could compete at a higher level — and it set the stage for her next and most significant career chapter.
Joining WGN-TV and Career Growth
Jackie Bange joined the WGN-TV News team in August 1993, initially as a fill-in anchor and general assignment reporter. From January to October 1995, she anchored the WGN Morning News before transitioning to weekend evening broadcasts — a shift that would define the rest of her career.
Since October 1995, she has served as co-anchor of WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten under Nexstar Media Group, building a reputation for consistency, professionalism, and trustworthy delivery. That’s over 30 years in the same weekend anchor seat — a rare achievement in modern television news.
Her growth at WGN-TV wasn’t just about tenure. She expanded her role over time to include special reports, investigative journalism, and international assignments, continuously raising the bar for what a weekend anchor can accomplish.
Award-Winning Journalism and Special Reports
Jackie Bange’s awards aren’t honorary titles — they represent real journalism that made a difference. Her first major recognition came in 1999 when she won a Regional Emmy Award for Best Feature Reporting from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The honor was for her series documenting a team of skydivers working to set the world record for the largest skydive formation.
In 2009, she won the Peter Lisagor Award for Hard News and In-Depth Reporting. The story behind that award is particularly striking — Jackie helped a widow seek justice after her husband was killed by a suspected drunk driver. Her reporting didn’t just inform; it moved the needle on a real case.
One of her most impactful special reports came after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Her piece “Into the Darkness” followed two Chicago-area pilots and their crew who were among the first to arrive in New Orleans and rescue hundreds of stranded residents. Jackie used night-vision goggles to recreate the rescue for viewers, earning an Illinois Associated Press award for Best Hard News Feature.
International Reporting and Expanded Experience
Not many local television anchors can say their reporting has taken them to Africa and Paris, France — but Jackie Bange can. Her career at WGN-TV extended well beyond Chicago city limits, and her international assignments added a depth to her résumé that few weekend anchors can match.
Her most notable field report with a national and international impact remains “Into the Darkness,” produced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She traveled to New Orleans to document the rescue mission carried out by Chicago-area pilots, bringing a human and local angle to one of America’s worst natural disasters.
That combination of local storytelling and global reach is a rare quality, and it’s a big part of what has made Jackie Bange stand out over three decades in broadcast journalism.
Mentorship, Community Involvement, and Continued Impact
Jackie Bange’s impact doesn’t stop when the cameras go off. For several years, she has worked with Elmhurst College’s Mentor Program, guiding students who are pursuing careers in journalism. That kind of hands-on investment in the next generation reflects how seriously she takes her role in the industry.
She also serves on the board of Michael Matters, an organization dedicated to supporting people battling brain cancer. Additionally, she is actively involved in fundraising for A Safe Place, a domestic violence prevention organization based in Lake County, Illinois.
Her civic engagement, community service, and education outreach paint the picture of someone who sees journalism not just as a profession but as a platform for doing real good.
Awards and Achievements
Jackie Bange has earned some of the most respected honors in regional broadcast journalism throughout her career. Here is a look at her key awards and achievements:
Regional Emmy Award (1999) — Won for Best Feature Series (Soft News) from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The award recognized her series on skydivers attempting to set a world record for the largest freefall parachuting formation, a 246-person team that earned recognition from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).
Peter Lisagor Award (2009) — Earned for Hard News and In-Depth Reporting. Her work helped a widow gain justice after her husband was killed in what was believed to be a drunk driving homicide.
Associated Press Award — Presented by the Illinois chapter for Best Hard News Feature for her Hurricane Katrina special report “Into the Darkness.”
Chicago Emmy Silver Circle (2020–2021) — Inducted in recognition of more than 25 years of significant contributions to the television industry, one of the highest honors given to broadcast professionals in the Chicago market.
Is Jackie Bange Still on WGN-TV?
Yes, Jackie Bange is still actively working at WGN-TV. As of 2026, she continues to serve as a weekend news anchor and reporter for WGN News, with no public announcement of any plans to leave or step back from her role.
Her consistent on-air presence and continued reporting assignments confirm that she remains a working journalist in the truest sense. Chicago viewers can still catch her anchoring the weekend broadcasts on WGN-TV under Nexstar Media Group.
Is Jackie Bange still on WGN-TV in 2026?
Yes, Jackie Bange is still on WGN-TV. She continues to work as a weekend anchor and reporter with no retirement announced as of 2026.
Jackie Bange Retirement
As of 2026, Jackie Bange has not announced any retirement plans. She remains active in her role as a weekend anchor and reporter at WGN-TV in Chicago, and public records show no indication of a planned departure from the station.
Given her dedication to journalism, community involvement, and active lifestyle, there is no reason to believe a retirement is imminent. For now, she continues doing what she has done for over 30 years — showing up and delivering the news.
Jackie Bange Husband
Jackie Bange is married to George Strickland, a former Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney. The two met and married in the early 1990s, and they have built a life together in Chicago with their three children.
Before George, Jackie was reportedly in a relationship with Dale Chapman, a television executive and producer. That relationship ended before her marriage to Strickland.
Jackie has always kept her personal life relatively private. Details about her marriage are not frequently discussed in interviews, but what is publicly known is that she and George Strickland have maintained a long-term, stable marriage while both pursuing demanding professional careers.
Does Jackie Bange have Children?
Yes, Jackie Bange is a mother of three children. She has a son named Josh, born on March 20, 2002, and twin daughters named Grace and Gwen (also referred to in some sources as Gracie and Sunny), born on August 5, 2005.
Jackie has been intentional about keeping her children away from the public spotlight, which is understandable given the nature of her public-facing career. She rarely discusses her kids in on-air interviews or on social media.
What is clear is that family is a central part of her life. She and her husband George Strickland have raised their children in Chicago, continuing a proud family tradition of strong values rooted in both community and broadcasting.
Jackie Bange Net Worth
Jackie Bange’s estimated net worth is approximately $2 million USD as of 2026. Some sources place the range between $1 million and $5 million, reflecting the variability in how public net worth figures are calculated for broadcast journalists.
Her wealth has been built almost entirely through her long-standing career in television journalism — over 30 years of steady on-air work, first at WPEC-TV and WMAQ-TV, and most significantly at WGN-TV in Chicago.
It is worth noting that net worth figures for journalists are often estimates based on salary data and career length, not publicly verified financial disclosures. The $2 million figure represents the most commonly cited estimate across credible sources.
Jackie Bange Salary
Jackie Bange’s annual salary at WGN-TV has been reported across a range of figures depending on the source and the year. Estimates range from around $49,029 to as high as $110,500 per year, with some sources citing a figure of approximately $81,211 annually.
The variation is common for broadcast journalists, as salaries depend on factors like seniority, contract terms, and market size. As a long-tenured weekend anchor at a major Chicago station under Nexstar Media Group, it is reasonable to expect her compensation has increased meaningfully over the course of her three-decade career.
What is clear is that Jackie’s income has been driven entirely by her journalism career, with no major public business ventures or endorsements contributing to her earnings.
Jackie Bange Social Media Presence
Jackie Bange maintains a professional online presence, primarily through her verified profile on platforms associated with WGN-TV. She is listed as a verified journalist on Muck Rack, where her byline and published work can be found and tracked.
While she is not known for being highly active or personal on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, her digital footprint is connected to her reporting work and WGN-TV’s official channels. Her audience engagement tends to happen on-air rather than online, which fits her professional style.
For viewers looking to follow her latest stories, WGN-TV’s website and social media pages are the most reliable places to track her ongoing work and reporting assignments.
Interesting Facts About Jackie Bange
Jackie Bange is far more than just a news anchor — here are some genuinely fascinating details about her life that most viewers don’t know.
She made her first skydive in 1973 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and became seriously involved in competitive skydiving by 1989. Since then, she has completed over 2,000 jumps — earning her the nickname “resident daredevil” at WGN. In 1998, she was part of a 246-person team that set a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) world record for the largest freefall parachuting formation, a feat that later became the subject of her Emmy-winning series.
She is also a committed endurance athlete. Jackie has completed seven triathlons, including the Olympic-distance Chicago Triathlon in 2009. Her love of athletic training reflects the same discipline and fearlessness that has defined her journalism career. Add in a family legacy in broadcasting — her father was a news anchor and her mother a weather girl — and you have a profile that is genuinely hard to match in Chicago television.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What does Jackie Bange do at WGN-TV?
She serves as a weekend anchor and reporter, co-anchoring WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten every weekend in Chicago.
How long has Jackie Bange been with WGN-TV?
Jackie has been at WGN-TV since August 1993 — that’s over 30 years with the same station, which is rare in broadcast journalism.
Who is Jackie Bange married to?
Jackie is married to George Strickland, a former Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney. The couple married in the early 1990s and lives in Chicago.
Does Jackie Bange have kids?
Yes, she has three children — a son named Josh and twin daughters named Grace and Gwen. She keeps her family life mostly private.
What is Jackie Bange’s net worth in 2026?
Her estimated net worth is around $2 million USD, built through her long career as a television journalist and weekend anchor at WGN-TV.
Is Jackie Bange a skydiver?
Yes — she is actually known as WGN’s “resident daredevil.” She has made over 2,000 skydiving jumps and was part of a 246-person team that set a world record in 1998.
Conclusion
Jackie Bange’s story is a reminder of what a career built on real dedication looks like. From her early days at WPEC-TV in Florida to over three decades as a trusted weekend anchor at WGN-TV in Chicago, she has consistently shown up, told important stories, and earned every award along the way — including her Regional Emmy, Peter Lisagor Award, and Chicago Emmy Silver Circle induction.
Beyond the broadcast, she is a devoted mother of three, a committed community advocate, and yes — a world-record skydiver with over 2,000 jumps to her name. Whether you came here curious about her net worth, her husband George Strickland, or simply what makes her one of Chicago’s most respected journalists, I hope this biography gave you a complete and honest picture of who Jackie Bange truly is.
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