Jackie Bange is a well-known Chicago anchor with a broadcasting career of 40 years and a net worth of $1 million. She was born on September 8, 1961, and is now 64 years old. She is the weekend anchor for WGN News at Nine in Chicago. She brought up three kids, Josh, Gracie, and Sunny, and won an Emmy award for her skydiving story.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jackie Bange |
| Age | 64 years old (as of June 2026) |
| Birthday | September 8, 1961 |
| Birth Place | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m / 170 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 138 lbs (63 kg) |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $7 million |
| Salary | $47,000 – $120,000 annually |
| Husband | George Strickland (married 2000) |
| Children | 3 (Josh, Gracie, Sunny) |
| Station | WGN-TV, Chicago |
Who Is Jackie Bange?
Jackie Bange is an award-winning American journalist who has become a familiar face to Chicago viewers. She works as the weekend anchor and reporter for WGN-TV (Channel 9), delivering news during the WGN News at Nine broadcast.
What makes Jackie special isn’t just her professional success. She’s a mother of three, an adventure junkie who loves skydiving, and someone who completed seven triathlons while raising a family. Her Emmy Award for skydiving reportage proves she doesn’t play it safe either on camera or in life.
Jackie joined WGN-TV in August 1993 and has co-anchored the weekend news since October 1995. That’s over 30 years at the same station, making her one of Chicago’s most trusted news voices.
Age and Birthday
Jackie Bange is 64 years old as of June 2026. She was born on September 8, 1961, in Miami, Florida. Jackie celebrates her birthday every year on September 8th with her family and friends.
Her zodiac sign is Virgo, and she’s proved that age is just a number. At 64, she’s still anchoring news, skydiving for fun, and keeping up with her three growing kids.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Jackie maintains a fit, professional appearance that serves her well on camera. Here are her key physical details:
| Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m / 170 cm) |
| Weight | Around 138 lbs (63 kg) |
| Body Measurements | 36-25-38 inches (breast-waist-hip) |
| Body Shape | Slim with curves / Apple shape |
| Hair Color | Light brown |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Dress Size | 13 (US) |
| Shoe Size | 6 (US) |
Jackie’s athletic training shows in her physique. She credits her fitness to regular exercise and completing seven triathlons throughout her career.
Family and Early Life
Jackie Bange was born in Miami, Florida, to American parents. She comes from White/English ethnicity and holds American nationality.
Details about her parents and siblings remain private, which Jackie has intentionally kept. She’s open about her career and children but protects her parents’ a choice many working journalists make.
What we do know: Jackie grew up in Florida, developed an early interest in broadcasting, and eventually moved to Chicago where she’s built her entire career and family life.
Education
Jackie’s educational background prepared her perfectly for a career in journalism:
| Degree | Institution | Field of Study |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Florida State University | Management Information Systems |
| Post-baccalaureate | University of Florida | Telecommunications (with Distinction) |
She graduated from the University of Florida with distinction in Telecommunications, showing academic excellence alongside her practical training.
Career Journey
Early Career (1990–1993)
Jackie started her broadcasting career in 1990 as noon anchor and reporter for WPEC-TV (CBS affiliate) in West Palm Beach, Florida. This was her first major professional role, where she learned the fundamentals of TV news.
WMAQ-TV Chicago (1990–1993)
In 1990, Jackie moved to Chicago and became a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor for WMAQ-TV (NBC-owned station). This role introduced her to the Chicago market and built her reputation as a reliable reporter.
WGN-TV (1993–Present)
August 1993: Jackie joined WGN-TV as a general assignment reporter, marking the beginning of her legendary Chicago tenure.
January–October 1995: She served as co-anchor of WGN Morning News, gaining morning show experience.
October 1995–Present: Jackie became co-anchor of weekend WGN News at Nine, a role she’s held for over 30 years. She currently anchors the 5 PM and 9 PM weekend newscasts.
International Reporting
Beyond Chicago, Jackie has reported from Paris and Africa, covering international stories that showcase her versatility as a journalist.
Awards and Recognition
Jackie’s reporting excellence has earned prestigious awards:
| Year | Award | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Regional Emmy Award | “Best Feature Reporting” for skydivers series documenting world record largest skydive formation attempt |
| 2005 | Illinois AP Award | “Best Hard News Feature” for “Into the Darkness” Hurricane Katrina rescue pilot report |
| 2009 | Peter Lisagor Award | Hard news reporting for helping widow get justice for drunk driving victim husband |
| 2020-2021 | Chicago Silver Circle | Honored for 25+ years of Chicago broadcasting |
The Emmy Award stands out because Jackie didn’t just report on skydivers she jumped with them to capture the world record attempt. That’s commitment to storytelling.
Relationships and Personal Life
Husband: George Strickland
Jackie married George Strickland in August 2000, after dating for about a year. They met at a rooftop party for a Cubs game in 1999, where a mutual friend introduced them.
George is a former Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney. They’ve been married for nearly 26 years as of 2026, building a strong family together.
Fun detail: George has two grown children from his first marriage (Ali and Ryan), making Jackie a stepmother as well.
Children: Josh, Gracie, and Sunny
Jackie and George raised three children:
| Child | Name | Birth Date | Age (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Son | Josh | March 20, 2002 | 24 years old |
| Twin Daughter 1 | Gracie (Grace) | August 5, 2005 | 21 years old |
| Twin Daughter 2 | Sunny (Gwen) | August 5, 2005 | 21 years old |
Jackie balances her news career with motherhood, often sharing family photos on social media. Her son Josh is now a young adult, while her twin daughters have grown into their early twenties.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Financial Overview
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $1 million – $7 million |
| Most Common Estimate | $1 million (as of 2020) |
| Annual Salary | $47,000 – $120,000 |
| Average Salary | ~$82,250 per year |
Income Sources
Jackie’s wealth comes primarily from her broadcasting career:
- WGN-TV Weekend Anchor position (primary income)
- News Reporter career spanning 40 years
- 30+ years at WGN-TV (steady employment)
Her $1 million net worth reflects steady earnings from one of Chicago’s major television stations, combined with smart financial management over decades.
Social Media Profiles
Jackie stays connected with viewers and family through social media:
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @jackiebange | 3.2K+ | |
| Jackie Bange WGN | 26.5K+ | |
| Twitter/X | @JackieBange | 1.7K+ |
On Facebook, Jackie shares family photos, birthday messages, and personal updates. She posts pictures of her husband and kids, showing her strong family bond.
10 Interesting Facts About Jackie Bange
- 40-Year Career: Jackie has been in broadcasting for 40 years, starting before many viewers were born
- Skydiving Emmy: She won a Regional Emmy by actually skydiving for her news report on world record formation attempts
- Seven Triathlons: Jackie completed seven full triathlons while raising three children
- Chicago Silver Circle: Inducted in 2020-2021 for 25+ years of Chicago broadcasting
- Olympic Triathlon: Completed the Olympic-length Chicago Triathlon in 2009
- International Reporter: Covered stories in Paris and Africa, not just Chicago
- 30+ Years at WGN: Anchoring weekend news since October 1995 that’s over three decades
- Adventure Junkie: Self-described skydiver and adventure enthusiast who lives boldly
- Hurricane Katrina Coverage: Created “Into the Darkness” report recreating rescue with night-vision goggles
- Proud Mom: Mother of three including twin daughters born in 2005
Final Thoughts
Jackie Bange represents everything great about local journalism. She’s spent 40 years building trust with Chicago viewers, won an Emmy Award for going above and beyond, and raised three children while anchoring national news.
At 64 years old, she proves you don’t slow down when you love what you do. Jackie still anchors weekend WGN News, still skydives for fun, and still shows up for her family. Her $1 million net worth reflects decades of steady work, but her real wealth shows in her happy family and award-winning career.
Whether you’ve watched her for 30 years or just discovered her on social media, Jackie Bange remains one of Chicago’s most beloved news anchors. She’s proof that authenticity, adventure, and family can coexist with professional excellence.
FAQs
How old is Jackie Bange?
Jackie Bange is 64 years old as of June 2026. She was born on September 8, 1961.
What is Jackie Bange’s birthday?
Jackie’s birthday is September 8. She celebrates every year on this date with family and friends.
Where was Jackie Bange born?
Jackie was born in Miami, Florida, United States.
Who is Jackie Bange’s husband?
Jackie is married to George Strickland, a former Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney. They married in August 2000.
Does Jackie Bange have children?
Yes, Jackie has three children: son Josh (born 2002) and twin daughters Gracie and Sunny (born 2005).
What is Jackie Bange’s net worth?
Jackie’s net worth ranges from $1 million to $7 million, with $1 million being the most commonly cited figure.
What channel does Jackie Bange work for?
Jackie works for WGN-TV (Channel 9) in Chicago, Illinois as weekend anchor.
How tall is Jackie Bange?
Jackie is 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m / 170 cm) tall.
