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Joel Daly: The Iconic Newsman who Unraveled Chicago with his Voice

Chicago is a city with a soul, a city that never sleeps. From dazzling skyscrapers to live blues music pouring out of every corner, Chicago has been the home for many unique characters who become legends in their fields. In the realm of journalism, Joel Daly is undoubtedly an icon. His illustrious career spanning over four decades catapulted him into the hearts of millions of Chicagoans. Daly’s larger-than-life personality and his powerful voice resonated with the city’s residents for years. He was a newsman, storyteller, and friend in a world where no one was sure if trustworthy journalists still existed. In this article, we celebrate Joel Daly and his impressive contributions to the world of journalism.

Who is Joel Daly?

Joel Daly was born on October 31, 1934, in Newton, Illinois. He commenced his career in journalism at age 16 as a copy boy at the Daily News in Decatur, Illinois, where he had an innate talent for the job. When WLS radio in Chicago offered him a job that doubled his salary, he moved to the city, where he made his enduring mark. Daly transitioned from radio to TV in 1967 when he joined WLS-TV Channel 7 as a morning show host and news anchor.

He spent 38 years with the network, ending his career in 2005. During his four-decade-long tenure, Daly covered many stories and anchored different newscasts, earning accolades and awards for his excellent reporting. Daly’s trademark was his unique on-air style. In his deep, booming voice, he delivered the headlines that everyone would remember long after the broadcast ended.

Breaking Barriers in Journalism

Joel Daly was an early reporter to cover all the most significant stories in Chicago history. While he covered every major story, he was also a pioneer in broadcast journalism, becoming one of the first African Americans to anchor a TV news program regularly.

By 1972, Daly had become an integral part of the WLS news team, co-anchoring the station’s 10 p.m. newscast with Fahey Flynn, making it the first team in Chicago history to feature a black and white anchor team.

The pair’s unconventional approach strengthened the station’s journalism and helped to attract a wider audience both locally and nationally, and their combined effort helped to put WLS-TV at the top of the ratings. Daly later became the solo anchor at the 10 pm newscast and remained in that role for many years.

Making History

Joyce Huang contributed a significant portion of Daly’s success story, as she was his partner for 27 years. Daly and Huang became the most recognized local news anchors on the air, earning several awards, including an Emmy for Live Entertainment.

In 1980, the two anchors became national figures when ABC News invited them to anchor an episode of Nightline, ABC’s late-night news program. Daly’s skillful narration of the Tehran hostage crisis episode broadcast led to his being called upon by ABC to anchor a similar episode in 1982.

The Enduring Legacy of Joel Daly

If there is one thing that made Joel Daly an iconic figure in Chicago journalism, it was his bond with Chicago’s neighborhoods. Daly was passionate about covering the City’s different neighborhoods, as he believed that every story was essential and deserved to be told.

Chicagoans admired Joel Daly for his incredible ability to deliver accurate information with authenticity and empathy. Throughout his long career, he also served as a guide and mentor to some of the city’s best-known journalists, leading the way with professionalism and integrity.

Joel Daly will always be remembered as one of Chicago’s most beloved television personalities, and his enduring legacy is a testament to his greatness.

What are People Saying About Joel Daly?

With Joel Daly’s immense contribution to broadcast journalism, people still have great things to say about the legendary journalist:

• “Joel Daly’s death leaves a void at Channel 7 and in Chicago TV. Joel set the standard for Chicago news broadcasting from the moment he joined the station in 1967 quickly wowing audiences with his storytelling and deep, unforgettable voice. His credibility as a journalist and sincere compassion for his subjects never waned over the decades and multiple generations.” – Robert Feder
• “There will never be another Joel Daly. He was an iconic reporter like no other. His deep voice in our minds made us all feel safe, informed and connected to the Chicago television news world, and he was a man who led the way with professionalism, integrity and empathy before those qualities were in vogue. We will miss him dearly.” – ABC News

Final Thoughts

On his passing, Joel Daly leaves behind a lasting legacy and an enduring impact on Chicago’s broadcast journalism industry. His dynamic career ensured that millions of spectators were well-informed and had a memorable experience with his elegant delivery and unquestionable journalistic integrity.

Joel Daly’s contribution to the community is a testament to how reporting can make a difference in people’s lives while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, authenticity, and empathy.

FAQs About Joel Daly

What events did Joel Daly cover?

Daly covered many significant stories and anchored different newscasts, earning accolades and awards for his brilliant reporting. Some of the events that Daly covered include the release of the Jon Burge Torture Report, the 1983 Air Florida crash, and the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

What made Joel Daly an iconic journalist?

Joel Daly was an iconic journalist due to his bond with Chicago’s neighborhoods and his unique on-air style. His passion was covering the City’s different neighborhoods, as he believed that every story was vital and deserved to be told. Daly’s trademark was his strong and unique on-air style, delivering the headlines that everyone would remember long after the broadcast ended.

What is Joel Daly’s enduring legacy in Chicago Journalism?

Joel Daly will always be remembered as one of Chicago’s most beloved television personalities, and his enduring legacy is a testament to his greatness and high standards of professionalism, authenticity, and empathy. Daly’s contribution to the community is a testament to reporting that can make a difference in people’s lives while maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

What is Joel Daly’s contribution to diversity and inclusion in Chicago News?

Joel Daly became one of the first African Americans to anchor a TV news program regularly, making history in broadcast journalism. In addition, Daly co-anchored the station’s 10 pm newscast with Fahey Flynn, making it the first Chicago team in history to feature a black and white anchor team. Daly and Huang became the most recognized local news anchors on the air, earning several awards, including an Emmy for Live Entertainment. His contribution helped to put WLS-TV at the top of the ratings.

What made Joel Daly unique as a journalist?

What made Joel Daly incredibly unique was his dynamic and authentic style in delivering the news. He was passionate about covering Chicago’s neighborhoods, and that made him connect incredibly well with Chicagoans. Daly’s skillful narration and his deep, unforgettable voice made him stand out as he delivered headlines that everyone would remember long after the broadcast ended.