Chicago Tribune cuts 53 jobs in newsroom reorganization to weather economic downturn

Chicago Tribune makes latest job cuts as ad drops

CHICAGO — The Chicago Tribune is cutting 53 jobs as part of a newsroom reorganization designed to help the newspaper weather the economic downturn.

The reductions leave the newspaper with a staff of about 430.

Like other newspapers, the Tribune is suffering through a downturn in advertising revenue.

As it tries to remake itself, the newspaper says it plans to focus its coverage more narrowly on the Chicago area and would expand its local news operation.

Editor Gerould Kern announced the cuts Wednesday in a note to employees.

The memo indicates the newspaper’s digital staff also will grow and a new watchdog unit will increase its consumer and investigative coverage. A new production department will combine copy editing, page design and photo editing.