Fox 32 Chicago anchor jumps to NBC 5 to cover investigations, political beat

WMAQ, the NBC-owned station in Chicago, has announced two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and veteran Chicago news personality Paris Schutz will join its NBC 5 News team as a general assignment reporter, with a primary focus on investigative and political stories, beginning Monday, May 4, 2026.

The announcement was made by Sally Ramirez, senior vice president of news, NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago.

In addition to contributing reporting to NBC 5 News, Schutz will deliver expanded investigative and political content across NBC 5 Chicago’s digital and social platforms.

“Paris has long been one of Chicago’s most trusted, deeply sourced journalists,” said Ramirez in a statement. “His reporting is tough, fair, and drives the conversations that matter most in this city. Adding him to our newsroom strengthens our commitment to delivering essential, accountable journalism across Chicagoland.”

“NBC 5 was the news station of record in my household growing up,” said Schutz in the statement. “I fell in love with this business because I watched legends like Carol Marin, Ron Magers, Warner Saunders, Allison Rosati, Phil Rogers, Dick Kay, Chuck Goudie and Mary Ann Ahern. I want to thank Sally Ramirez and (president and general manager) Kevin Cross for giving me the opportunity to join the most dynamic multi-platform newsroom in all of Chicago. It feels like a dream come true, an epic challenge and a homecoming all in one. I can’t wait to get to work reporting on the issues and stories that impact our lives as Chicagoans.”

Schutz was most recently the primary political anchor and reporter for Fox-owned WFLD in Chicago for the past two years.

Schutz also developed and anchored Fox 32’s nightly news and public affairs program, “The Chicago Report,” focusing on the day’s most significant local, state, national and international issues.

Before WFLD, Schutz spent 15 years working at Chicago PBS station WTTW. There, he appeared on the station’s weeknight news and discussion program, “Chicago Tonight.”

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He started at WTTW as an intern before spending three years as a features reporter for “Chicago Tonight.” After that, he moved into the program’s political reporting role before moving up to become co-anchor and chief correspondent for the show.

In addition to his two Chicago/Midwest Chapter Emmy Awards, Schutz has earned numerous other industry honors, including eight Peter Lisagor Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. 

A native of suburban River Forest, Illinois, and a graduate of Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College Prep, Schutz earned his bachelor’s degree in television, radio and film from Syracuse University. He is also a singer, songwriter and keyboardist who performs throughout the Chicago area, both as a solo artist and with his group, The Paris Schutz Band.

WMAQ is part of NBCUniversal Local.