Local news is dying, right? That’s the narrative. But then you look at Chicago. The Windy City has always been a two-paper town, a gritty, competitive landscape where the "Trib" and the "Sun-Times" fought for every scrap of a scoop. Lately, things have shifted. Hard. If you’re looking into a Chicago Sun-Times subscription, you’re stepping into a weirdly hopeful experiment in the world of journalism.
The paper isn't just a paper anymore. It’s part of Chicago Public Media. It’s non-profit. That matters.
Honestly, most people just want to know if they’re going to get hit with a massive bill after a "99 cents for six months" promo ends. Or if the digital app actually works on a shaky Blue Line commute. It’s about more than just supporting "the arts" or "the truth"—it’s about whether you get $15 worth of value every month when you’re just trying to figure out why the Stevenson is backed up or what the latest City Council drama means for your property taxes.
The non-profit pivot and your Chicago Sun-Times subscription
In 2022, something huge happened. The Chicago Sun-Times was acquired by Chicago Public Media, the parent company of WBEZ. This was a massive deal. It turned one of the country’s oldest, most storied tabloids into a non-profit entity. Why should you care? Because it changed the "vibe" of the subscription model entirely.
They removed the hard paywall for a long time. They wanted the news to be a public service. But here’s the reality: quality reporting costs a literal fortune. To keep the lights on at the Navy Pier offices and pay reporters like Lynn Sweet or Fran Spielman, they need readers to buy in. When you sign up for a Chicago Sun-Times subscription now, you aren't just lining the pockets of a hedge fund like Alden Global Capital—which owns the rival Tribune—you’re basically donating to a local media ecosystem.
It’s a different feeling. You aren't just a "customer." You're a "member."
What do you actually get?
It’s not just the digital replica of the print paper, though that’s there if you’re a nostalgia junkie who likes flipping virtual pages. You get the "The Post," which is their daily morning newsletter. You get the puzzles. You get the politics. But mostly, you get the sports coverage.
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Let’s be real. People get a Chicago Sun-Times subscription for the sports.
The Sun-Times has always been the "blue-collar" paper. Their Bears coverage? Relentless. Their Blackhawks stuff? Usually deeper than the national outlets. If you're a sports bettor or just a die-hard fan who needs to know exactly what’s happening in the clubhouse, the subscription pays for itself in the first week of the season.
The cost breakdown (and the "hidden" traps)
Pricing in the newspaper industry is notoriously fickle. It’s like buying a rug at a store that’s always having a "going out of business" sale. You’ll see offers for $1 for six months. You’ll see $4 a week for print delivery.
Here is how the Chicago Sun-Times subscription usually breaks down in the real world:
- Digital Only: Usually starts with a teaser rate. After that, expect to pay somewhere between $12 and $16 a month.
- Weekend Print + Digital: This is the "best of both worlds" play. You get the fat Sunday paper with all the inserts and the Friday "Grid" section, plus full digital access.
- The Membership Model: Since the WBEZ merger, there are often bundle deals. If you’re already a donor to WBEZ, check your email. Sometimes there are grandfathered perks or discounted cross-promotions that they don't advertise on the main landing page.
One thing that’s kinda annoying? The cancellation process. While it's gotten better because of new consumer protection laws, sometimes you still have to jump through hoops. Always check if you can cancel via the "My Account" portal or if you have to call a 1-800 number. Most digital-only subs are now "click-to-cancel," but print delivery can be a bit more "old school."
Is the "Tabloid" reputation still accurate?
The Sun-Times has always been a tabloid. Not "tabloid" like the National Enquirer, but "tabloid" in terms of physical size and attitude. It’s punchy. It’s got big headlines. It’s meant to be read on a bus.
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Even with the shift to a non-profit model, they’ve kept that edge. They still lean heavily into investigative work. The "Watchdogs" section is legendary. They’ve won Pulitzers for a reason. If you’re worried that the Chicago Sun-Times subscription has become "soft" because it’s non-profit, don't be. They still go after City Hall with a vengeance.
They focus heavily on:
- Crime and Safety: Real-time reporting that often beats the TV stations.
- Labor and Unions: A deep dive into the trades and the people who actually build the city.
- The Arts: Their "Saturday Sun-Times" is arguably better than the Tribune’s weekend offerings for local gallery and theater news.
Comparing the Sun-Times vs. The Tribune
It’s the Pepsi vs. Coke of the Midwest. The Tribune is the "paper of record." It’s formal. It’s broadsheet. It’s expensive.
The Sun-Times is the scrappy underdog.
With a Chicago Sun-Times subscription, you’re getting a faster read. It’s more concise. Also, because the Tribune is owned by a hedge fund known for slashing staff, the Sun-Times currently feels like it has more "soul." There are more local bylines. You see the same names year after year, which builds trust. You feel like the person writing the story actually lives in Logan Square or Bridgeport, not a remote office in another state.
The technical side of things
The app is... okay. It’s not the New York Times app. It won't win design awards. But it’s functional.
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If you’re someone who likes the "E-Paper" (the digital version that looks like the physical paper), the Sun-Times does this surprisingly well. It loads fast. The "Read Mode" on mobile is clean. This is a huge part of the Chicago Sun-Times subscription value for older readers or people who just hate the cluttered look of modern websites with auto-play videos.
Why people cancel (and why they stay)
Most people cancel because they stop reading. Simple as that. You get busy. The emails pile up. You realize you’ve paid $15 for three months and haven't opened a single article.
But people stay for the "Circle of Information." Chicago is a complicated, often frustrating city. Understanding the tax tiffs, the school board elections, and why your local alderman is suddenly under federal investigation requires local context. You can't get that from X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok. You need a reporter who has been sitting in courtrooms for twenty years.
A Chicago Sun-Times subscription is essentially an insurance policy against being uninformed about your own backyard.
Actionable steps for the savvy reader
If you’re on the fence about pulling the trigger, don't just go to the homepage and click the first "Subscribe" button you see. Be a little smarter about it.
- Check for the WBEZ Bundle: If you’re a public radio listener, call their member services. Ask if there’s an active "dual membership" promotion. You can often support both for a price that’s lower than two separate subs.
- The "Incognito" Trick: Open the Sun-Times website in an incognito window. Often, the "New Subscriber" offers that pop up are significantly better than what you see if your browser cookie already identifies you as a frequent visitor.
- Use the Newsletters First: Sign up for the free newsletters like "The Daily" or "The 708." It gives you a feel for the writing style and the daily "beat" of the paper without spending a dime. If you find yourself clicking on three or four links every morning, that’s your signal that the Chicago Sun-Times subscription is actually worth the money.
- Audit your "News Spend": Look at your bank statement. If you’re paying for the NYT, WSJ, and a local paper, it adds up. But if you live in Cook County, the local paper is the one that actually affects your daily life. Prioritize the news that covers your local property taxes and your local commute.
- Digital over Print: Unless you really love the smell of newsprint and have a reliable delivery person, stick to digital. The "print" world is struggling with delivery logistics in Chicago, and the digital experience is far more consistent and environmentally friendly.
Once you sign up, make sure to download the app and sign in immediately. The biggest mistake people make is paying for the sub but only accessing it through social media links, which often gets messy with logins. Get the app, set your notifications for "Breaking News" (only if you can handle the stress), and actually use the product you're paying for.