Tune in to the NATAS Silver Circle Awards on The U

For the first time in its 30-year history, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Chicago/Midwest chapter’s Silver Circle Honors presentation scheduled for 2020 had to be postponed because of the pandemic.

That event is now planned as a virtual celebration on Sunday, September 12, 2021. On that date, NATAS Chicago/Midwest will finally be able to induct that prestigious 2020 Silver Circle Award class.


That 2020 class includes 10 notable Chicago broadcasters:


▪ Jackie Bange, weekend news anchor and reporter at Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9. She joined the station in 1993 after three years at NBC 5.

▪ Rich Bernal, former staff director at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 and Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32. Longtime adjunct faculty instructor at Columbia College Chicago.

▪ Mark Giangreco, former sports anchor at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. He joined the station in 1994 after 12 years at NBC 5.

▪ Alan Krashesky, main news anchor at ABC 7.

▪ Marda LeBeau, former executive producer of specials and investigations at CBS 2. She joined the station in 1995 after nine years at ABC 7.

▪ Jennifer Lyons, former news director at WGN, CLTV and News Nation.

▪ Lynn Hauldren (posthumously), advertising copywriter best known as “The Empire Carpet Man.” He died in 2011.

▪ Jack and Elaine Mulqueen (posthumously), children’s show producers, best known as creator and star, respectively, of the preteen dance show “Kiddie A-Go-Go.” Jack Mulqueen died in 2016. Elaine Mulqueen died in 2012.

▪ Marlin Perkins, the former Lincoln Park Zoo director who first hosted the Peabody-Award-winning program “Zoo Parade” on NBC-owned WMAQ-TV before launching a legendary syndicated program about animals, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”.


Presenters for the honorees include WGN-TV’s Robert Jordan and Tahman Bradley (Jackie Bange); WLS/WBBM’s Mary Ann Childers (Marda LeBeau); and WLS-TV’s Kathy Brock (Alan Krashesky).


The program will air on WCIU, the U, from 3 p.m to 5 p.m. on Sept. 12. The U is available over-the-air on 26.2/48.1, as well as on Comcast 230, RCN 610, Dish 48, AT&T 24, Mediacom 109, WOW 170.


The Silver Circle Award was established to recognize and honor outstanding individuals who have devoted 25 years or more to the television industry and who have made significant contributions to local broadcasting, or who have spent the formative years of their career in chapter region. Nominees in academic, administrative, creative, journalistic, performing, or technical roles within the television industry are eligible.


DISH 48 | DIGITAL 26.2/48.1HD | RCN 35 | WOW 170