Robert Channick

Robert Channick is a business reporter for the Tribune. A former broadcast consultant and radio station manager, he began freelancing for the Chicago Tribune in 2002, joining the Tribune staff as a business reporter in 2011. He has a bachelor's degree in English from Kenyon College and a master's in journalism from Northwestern University.

Former WGN reporter Sean Lewis sits in his Chicago home on Feb. 24, 2026. Lewis, a nearly two-decade veteran at WGN-TV who has anchored the weekend morning broadcast since 2010, was among several reporters laid off. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

WGN-TV lays off 8 on-air reporters and anchors Monday in massive downsizing

February 24, 2026 at 6:05 p.m.

The ax is falling at WGN-Ch. 9, cutting a wide swath out of “Chicago’s Very Own” TV newsroom.

Patricia Gonzalez, of Waukegan, places a box into a net above a conveyor system at Learning Resources warehouse in Vernon Hills on Feb. 20, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, ruling in favor of Vernon Hills toymaker

February 20, 2026 at 5:22 p.m.

Learning Resources filed a lawsuit last April against Trump, alleging the president exceeded his executive authority in implementing the tariffs.

Tribune Chair Michael Ferro attends, Game 2 of the National League Championship Series playoff between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles on Oct. 15, 2017. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)

Former Tribune and Sun-Times Chair Michael Ferro canceled Epstein meeting at last minute, emails show

February 13, 2026 at 6:24 p.m.

Michael Ferro, the former chair of the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, was set to meet with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein at his Palm Beach home on April 15,...

A variety of chocolates are sold from the “Wall of Chocolate” at Hotel Chocolat in Lakeview on Feb. 12, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

There’s no vacancy at Hotel Chocolat, but plenty of hot chocolate at the growing Chicago-based British import

February 13, 2026 at 8:55 a.m.

Purchased by Mars two years ago, Hotel Chocolat may soon be expanding beyond Chicago, bringing elevated drinking chocolate and candy to markets across the country

Portillo's has tapped Brett Patterson as its new CEO. (Portillo's)

Portillo’s taps new CEO, an industry veteran who held executive roles at Outback Steakhouse and Ruby Tuesday

February 11, 2026 at 6:23 p.m.

Patterson, whose resume includes executive roles at Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday and Olive Garden, will take the reins of Portillo’s on Feb. 23.

Pam cooking sprays on a shelf at a grocery store in Bainbridge Twp., Ohio, March 24, 2010. (Amy Sancetta/AP)

Conagra ordered to pay $25 million in lawsuit alleging Pam cooking spray caused lung disease

February 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The verdict found that Conagra did not adequately warn consumers about the potential dangers of inhaling fumes from Pam cooking spray containing diacetyl, a butter-flavored chemical linked to respiratory illness.

A Daily Herald newspaper sits on a newsstand inside a Shell gas station along Northwest Highway on Jan. 27, 2026, in Barrington. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune offers 30% premium to buy Daily Herald suburban newspaper

February 9, 2026 at 5:44 p.m.

On Sunday, the Chicago Tribune took out a full-page ad in its own paper offering the employee owners of the Daily Herald a 30% premium over “anyone else” to acquire...

A delivery robot from Serve Robotics crosses the 1600 block of North Wells Street in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Convenient ordering option or ‘sidewalk hog’? Food delivery robots get mixed reception in Chicago.

February 9, 2026 at 9:01 a.m.

Robotic food delivery carts are now a familiar sight on the streets of Chicago. But not everyone has rolled out the welcome wagon for the army of AI-driven meals on...

People ride in a 2026 Jeep Wrangler during the media preview day at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place, Feb. 6, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Auto Show returns with plenty of EVs and a resurgence of gas-powered muscle

February 7, 2026 at 1:57 p.m.

While EVs are still center stage at the 2026 auto show, there may not be quite as much buzz this year with slumping sales and the end of federal tax...

Workers continue construction of Northwestern’s Ryan Field in Evanston on Nov. 21, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Northwestern will open the new Ryan Field on Oct. 2 vs. Penn State — its 3rd home game of the season

February 3, 2026 at 5:03 p.m.

Northwestern will play five home games at the new $862 million Ryan Field in 2026, with the first two played at Martin Stadium on the lakefront.

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