WLS-TV ANNUAL EEO PUBLIC FILE REPORT, AUGUST 1, 2024

This report covers the period from Aug. 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025.

General Policy

WLS-TV (the “Station”) has a longstanding commitment to a policy that no person shall be discriminated against in employment by the Station because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.

Job vacancies and recruitment sources

WLS-TV has publicized job vacancies in the following ways:

1. We periodically broadcast on-air announcements publicizing the fact that qualified organizations may request to be added to our mailing list.

2. Posting all open positions on the company career website, Disneycareers.com.

3. Posting open positions on the Station’s website, https://abc7chicago.com/jobs/.

4. Open positions posted on Disneycareers.com are subsequently posted by the DirectEmployers Association Network to numerous sites that list open jobs.

5. Below is a list of all organizations, websites and sources that were used to fill Station full-job vacancies

During the period covered by this report, WLS-TV had a total of 11 vacancies for full-time positions.

The following positions were filled during the reporting period covered by this report:

Select Outreach Initiatives

Participation in at least four job fairs by station personnel who have substantial responsibility for making hiring decisions

WLS station personnel participated in the following broadcast-related job fairs over the reporting period.
1. The National Association of Black Journalists Convention is a premier multi-day conference for journalism education, career development, networking, and innovation. It also hosts a career fair which aims to draw hundreds of recruiters from top media companies, businesses, and journalism schools from across the country and around the world. From July 31-August 4, 2024, 15 employees participated in the career fair on behalf of the station, including a WLS Executive Producer, 5 Anchors, Senior Manager of News Operations, Senior Manager of Human Resources, 3 Producers, VP of News, VP of Marketing and a WLS Newswriter and Reporter.

2. The Asian American Journalists Association held its annual Convention in Austin, Texas (August 7-11, 2024) which aims to bring attendees together for the purpose of networking, professional development and community engagement in the broadcast field. The convention includes a job fair. A WLS Reporter and Streaming Content Producer participated in the job fair on behalf of the station.

Participation in at least four events sponsored by organizations representing groups present in the community interested in broadcast employment issues, including conventions, career days, workshops and similar activities
1. A WLS-TV Reporter attended JCAMP from August 3-9, 2024, in Austin, Texas. JCAMP is a program that trains high school students in journalism and media. Participants gain essential skills and build a network of mentors and peers.

2. A WLS-TV Digital Content Manager participated in The Online News Association 2024 annual conference which took place on September 18-21, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event provided a look at what the future may hold for journalism including the digital and streaming realms plus AI. The WLS representative spoke to many people interested in the field.

3. A WLS-TV Anchor/Reporter participated in a career education program hosted by Hyde Park Academy High School in Chicago, IL on March 18, 2025. This program is designed to expose students to a wide variety of careers. It aims to bring speakers from fields in which the students have expressed interest, as well as paths with which they are not familiar. Students heard from professionals who have turned their passions into professions; who are ambitious; who have overcome challenges; and who give back to their community.

4. A WLS-TV Assistant News Director and a Senior Investigative Producer took part in High School J-Days Program Workshop at DePaul University. This event teaches skills such as writing headlines, interviewing subjects, picture taking, and anchoring intros. In addition, questions were answered regarding reporting and/or producing careers.

Establishing an internship program designed to assist members of the community in acquiring skills needed for broadcast employment

WLS offers a paid college internship program designed to assist qualified students in acquiring skills needed for employment in the broadcast industry. Specifically, the internship is designed to provide students with an onsite educational experience that complements their academic studies. During the reporting period, WLS hired 5 interns. Typically, the interns work an average of 18 hours a week with a focus on one of 5 areas: Programming, Investigative Reporting, Newsroom, Investigative Team or Consumer Affairs.

Establishing training programs designed to enable station personnel to acquire skills that could qualify them for higher level positions
Station personnel are given the opportunity to complete trainings designed to enable participants to acquire skills that could qualify them for higher level positions.

Leadership Essentials:
Several WLS employees participated in this training including: 2 Executive Producers; a Sr. Manager, News Operations; an IT Director; a Sr. Manager, Graphic Design; and a Sr. Manager, Digital Content.

News Show Director Training:
The Director training helps participants learn various news show directing skills to help prepare them to successfully direct a news segment. Learning areas include but are not limited to: Ross Overdrive, Dalet, Vinten and Graphics. A Stage Manager participated in this training.

“People Manager Fundamentals” provides new and established managers a virtual, live workshop of resources to ensure that they understand the expectations and responsibilities of managing employees. There is also a question-and-answer session with partners from various teams. A Sr. Manager of News Operations participated in this program during the reporting period.

Participation in at least four events or programs sponsored by educational institutions relating to career opportunities in broadcasting

1. On October 11, 2024 a WLS-TV Consumer Investigative Reporter and Senior Special Projects Producer attended and spoke about internships and employment opportunities within WLS at DePaul University’s Career Day in Chicago, IL.

2. WLS News Anchor/Reporter: Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism – Chicago, IL- September 24, 2024 & April 2, 2025;

3. WLS Sports Anchor/Reporter: University of St. Francis – Virtual – November 5, 2024

Listing each upper- level category opening in a job bank or newsletter of media trade groups whose membership includes substantial participation by women and minorities
WLS posted its job listings, including upper-level category openings, in the following job banks for media trade groups whose membership includes substantial participation by women and minorities: National Association of Hispanic Journalists and National Association of Black Journalists.

Provision of training to management level personnel as to methods of ensuring equal employment opportunity and preventing discrimination
Station personnel are required to complete a “Preventing Discrimination & Harassment” training course which is designed to train employees on methods of ensuring equal employment opportunity and preventing discrimination.

Participation in other activities designed by the station employment unit reasonably calculated to further the goal of disseminating information as to employment opportunities in broadcasting to job candidates who might otherwise be unaware of such opportunities.

On November 16, 2024, a WLS-TV Anchor/Reporter joined with students from the Jack and Jill Organization at the station to discuss journalism.

Station Tours:
1. October 2, 2024 – Students from DePaul University in Chicago, IL
2. January 17, 2025 – Students from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, IL
3. April 11, 2025 – Students from Addison Trail High School in Addison, IL
4. April 29, 2025 – Students from Memorial Junior High School in Lansing, IL
5. May 3, 2025 – Students from University of Illinois in Chicago, IL
6. May 9, 2025 – Students from Bower Elementary School in Warrenville, IL
7. June 3, 2025 – Students from Ancona School in Chicago, IL
8. July 16, 2025 – Students from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL

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