Allison Payne

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Allison Payne is the co-anchor of WGN News at Nine in Chicago, a position she's held since she started with the station in 1990. During her tenure with WGN, Payne has won numerous awards including seven emmys for reporting. When asked about the hilights of her career Payne always points to the international reporting she's done. Payne was the first Chicago broadcaster to travel to Kenya to report on the African roots of Senator Barack Obama. In 2006, she travelled to the Middle East with the Reverend Jesse Jackson to report on tensions between Lebanon, Israel, and Syria. Payne paid her own fare for these journies because she believes strongly that "getting from behind the desk and out into the world" makes her a better anchor. "To me travel is the best education," says Payne. "I feel much better reading stories on Africa and the Middle East now that I have been there." As of Jan. 30, 2008, Allison was out on medical leave beacause of a series of ministrokes she suffered a few weeks ago and returned to WGN on Monday, April 7.

[edit] Background

Payne was born in Richmond, Virginia to Dana and Kathryn Payne. At age five, her parents moved north to Detroit, Michigan where Payne attended Catholic grade school. She is a graduate of Renaissance High School in Detroit and holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Detroit Mercy. Payne attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio for her Masters Degree in Radio/TV/Film.

Payne's first job in tv news was at WNWO TV in Toledo, Ohio where she started as an intern and within months was the main anchor of the station's late news. From there Payne moved to WNEM-TV in Saginaw, Michigan as the co-anchor of the 6 and 11 o'clock newscast. Within two years, Payne got word that Chicago was calling.

"Growing up in Detroit, I knew Chicago was the mecca of the Midwest. I couldn't believe WGN was interested in me. I was so young and still so inexperienced." But without even a tryout, then news director, Paul Davis, offered Payne the job. "I figured if I lasted three months here I would consider myself a success. And here I am seventeen years later!" Payne says she couldn't have done it without her professionally unselfish and supportive co-anchor, Steve Sanders. "He's a real delight and a true Southern gentleman."

Payne also credits Gloria Brown, producer of the station's weekly community affairs program, People to People. ""Gloria has been a rock for me at 'GN. Whenever I get tired, Gloria is there to inspire me." Payne credits Brown for helping her land an interview with former president Bill Clinton on his last trip to Chicago as president. Together, Payne and Brown have covered several special events including the funeral of Coretta Scott King in Atlanta.

Payne's goal now is to reach back and help as many young people as she can achieve their goals. "I love working with interns. They become like my own kids to me." Payne recently teamed up with Jaqueline Jackson, Jr on a state program that helps teenage parents get their GED. This is where the blessing is for me. If I can help or inspire just one of these young people, I will feel blessed.