The Chicago Reader laid off six non-union workers this week in a move to reduce costs and avoid organizational closure, the paper’s publisher announced Tuesday.
The announcement came a day after Chicago Reader publisher Reader Institute for Community Journalism CEO Solomon Lieberman submitted his resignation to the RICJ board of directors.
After the Chicago Sun-Times sold the Reader in 2018 following six years of ownership, the Reader has sustained financial losses leading to operational challenges that have put the organization at an “imminent risk of closure,” the publication said.
The Reader plans to adjust operations and focus on increasing its donor outreach and crowdfunding campaigns. It also said it will secure advance payments and memorandums of understanding for partnerships and advertising, as well as expedite a revenue-focused strategy “with integrity and urgency.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the legacy of the Chicago Reader and will do everything possible to secure its future,” Reader Publisher Amber Nettles said in a statement. “We thank everyone for their understanding, resilience, and continued support during this extraordinarily difficult time.