John E. Davis has been described by his peers as a reporter’s reporter—a truly exemplary newsman.  John worked for WBBM-TV for 21-years, where he co-anchored for (CBS 2 Chicago) weekend newscasts while continuing to serve as a weekday general assignment reporter.  He is a fixture in the Chicagoland community and his commitment to journalism has earned the viewers’ trust. Davis recently, in the fall of 2007, served as the press secretary and media consultant for Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr.’s campaign for Cook County State’s Attorney.  He served in a similar capacity in 2006, as press secretary for Chicago Mayoral Candidate Dorothy Brown.  He also is a media consultant to several other political candidates and companies. John is president of his own television production company. His company developed several documentaries for television, including one on the recovery and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Most of us remember John as the premier news reporter and anchorman at CBS-2 Chicago.

Davis joined the station in 1982 as a general assignment reporter.  Prior to that, he was a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter at KGW-TV, the NBC affiliate in Portland, Oregon.  Since making Chicago his home, he reported for all of WBBM’s newscasts and frequently served as a substitute anchor.  John Davis was the first reporter from the United States to talk with South African Leader Nelson Mandela, following his release from prison on February 11, 1990.  Davis filed daily, in-depth reports on South Africans’ reactions to the freeing of Mandela.  These reports ultimately became a long-form Emmy nominated documentary entitled, “South African Journal: Winds of Change,” which has been used as an educational tool in many schools.

Davis’ coverage of national and international stories for WBBM has also included:  daily reports from Europe during the 1985 TWA Iran hostage crisis; leading a team of reporters in covering the Los Angeles riots of 1992, and; being one of the nation’s first reporters on the scene of the 1993 siege by David Koresh and the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.  John Davis’ countless contributions to local news have included his breaking the infamous Chicago firehouse videotape story, which resulted in sweeping changes in the policies and administrative personnel of the Chicago Fire Department. 

Davis was the first reporter on-air to cover the airplane death of beloved WGN radio personality, Bob Collins.

Throughout his career, John Davis has earned a multitude of awards, including a local Emmy Award for his coverage of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington’s life and death.  Due to Davis’ notoriety as a compassionate role model, the vast majority of his awards have been in recognition of his constant, hands-on commitment to various civic and community groups.  Much of his personal time is spent mentoring and lecturing to youth groups, such as the “We Care” role model program of the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Police Department.

In 2004, Davis formed John E. Davis Productions. Since then, he has produced several significant documentaries, including “Brown v Board: Racism, Change, Challenge” for Public Television stations.  In February 2006, Davis completed the documentary, “Hurricane Katrina, The Unmasking of New Orleans.”

When asked about his most important work, Davis says, “My greatest news story and my most memorable speech have yet to be delivered.”  Davis graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Communications from the Edward R. Murrow School.