The Chicago Tribune named newsroom veteran Stacy St. Clair as the newspaper’s new managing editor Friday.
St. Clair, 53, will start her new job Monday. St. Clair has worked at the Tribune since 2007 and most recently served as a senior content editor.
“Stacy has proven herself both as a reporter and editor to be an exceptional leader and journalist,” said Tribune Executive Editor Mitch Pugh in an email. “She’s quite simply a natural. But we are also blessed that she will be surrounded by an equally capable and experienced team of senior editors. I am confident this team can lead the Tribune into a future that will continue to serve our readers well.”
St. Clair replaces Phil Jurik, 65, who is stepping into a new role as an enterprise editor and writing coach at the Tribune after serving as managing editor for the last three years.
St. Clair said Friday she’s excited to take on the job.
“It’s clear that our industry across the board is facing real challenges, but I believe deeply in the team we have at the Tribune, and in the importance of the work we do,” St. Clair said. “I think that we are essential to the Chicago area and to having an informed and engaged society, and I think we will continue to provide that service for many, many, many years to come.”
During her time at the Tribune, St. Clair has been behind many of the Tribune’s most prominent stories. This past year, she was one of four editors who led the newspaper’s coverage of Operation Midway Blitz.
Before becoming an editor in December 2024, she covered the trials of Jason Van Dyke and Kyle Rittenhouse and was part of the team that covered the trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. She also reported on the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest following the murder of George Floyd.
St. Clair has covered five Olympic Games over her career. She was also part of major investigations, such as those into the College of DuPage and admissions at the University of Illinois.
Before joining the Tribune, she worked at the Daily Herald for nearly 12 years. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia and graduated from high school in the Washington, D.C., area.
