Politics
Political Reporter Craig Dellimore Retires After 42 Years at WBBM Newsradio
For many radio listeners, Craig Dellimore is a household name — a voice that’s become a part of people’s car rides and train commutes.
But after more than four decades reporting at the same frequency — 105.9 FM — he’s stepping off the radio waves for good, retiring from WBBM Newsradio.
Reflecting back on 42 years covering Chicago news and politics, Dellimore said that covering former President Barack Obama’s trajectory from a state lawmaker to president was one of many iconic moments.
“Being able to cover him as a person and cover the movement around him every step of the way — that was really something,” Dellimore said.
Dellimore started with WBBM in 1983, just as Harold Washington was elected the city’s first Black mayor. Years later, Dellimore dove deeper into local politics, closely watching City Council meetings and mayoral news conferences. The mayor’s office honored Dellimore at his last news conference with Mayor Brandon Johnson in June.
While Dellimore has captured iconic Chicago political moments such as Obama’s election and Richard M. Daley’s tenure as mayor, Dellimore’s work went beyond the city limits through his role as WBBM’s suburban bureau chief. He said covering stories across the Chicago area allowed him to connect with people from all types of backgrounds and perspectives.
“Being an African American reporter in that realm was different,” Dellimore said. “It gave me an opportunity to get to know other people — and mostly Republicans, whom I would cover in the suburbs.”
Dellimore said that throughout his career, he’s strived to cover all stories and viewpoints fairly — an effort that he said is important.
“It’s better for us to look at other voices, listen to other voices,” Dellimore said. “I don’t think newspapers or radio stations covered the south suburbs as much. I got to look at these things with an eye toward making sure that voices that aren’t normally heard, get heard.”
