• by Ray Schultz , June 30, 2021

The game of editorial musical chairs continues at Tribune Publishing with fewer and fewer chairs being visible.

The Chicago Tribune reported last week that almost 40 journalists there have accepted voluntary buyouts in the wake of Alden Global Capital’s $633 million acquisition of parent Tribune Publishing. Included are both union and non-union personnel. 

Departing the newspaper are such high-profile Chicago writers as Mary Schmich, Dahleen Glanton, Steve Chapman, Heidi Stevens, Eric Zorn, John Kass and Phil Rosenthal.

But there are some notable exceptions.  

Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones has been named editorial page editor, effective July 12, Robert Feder reports today. 

Jones, who has covered theater for two decades, replaces Kristen McQueary, who resigned when she was turned down for a buyout.

Despite the promotion, “I’m still the theater critic, which is important to me and the paper, and I will review the major shows as I have for the past 20 years,” Jones says, according to Feder. 

In another appointment, former books editor Jennifer Day has been named features editor of Chicago magazine, which is also owned by Alden. Day had reportedly accepted a buyout. 

Earlier, Amy Carr, former Chicago Tribune features editor, was named as editor of Chicago magazine. Carr had applied for but didn’t finally take a proffered buyout, per Feder.