Paul Lisnek endows broadcast museum gallery

Paul Lisnek

Paul Lisnek

Highlights of Paul Lisnek’s work as a Chicago television and radio political analyst, celebrity interviewer and talk show host will be on permanent display at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 North State Street.

In recognition of a “major multiple-year donation” by the veteran broadcaster and attorney, the museum will rename its exhibition area The Paul M. Lisnek Gallery.

The gallery will include  a video introduction and a display of artifacts from Lisnek's personal collection of political, television and theatrical memorabilia from his years as political analyst at Tribune Media WGN-Channel 9, anchor of “Politics Tonight” at CLTV, host of “Newsmakers” on HLN News and entertainment reporter on Comcast Network CN100.

"Paul Lisnek has had a very successful career at WGN Television, CLTV and Comcast,” Bruce DuMont, founder and president of the museum said in an announcement Monday. “He is respected in both political and entertainment circles, and with this very generous gift he becomes a major patron of the arts in Chicago.”

Construction on the gallery will begin next week. It is scheduled to open in early May.

Calling the naming “a great honor,” Lisnek said in a statement: “My career in Chicagoland television over the past 30 years has provided me the opportunity to interview and work with some of the most influential political and talented entertainment figures in America.

"The Lisnek Gallery affords a permanent place for me to share the memories of my years in the business, along with displaying some of the wonderful entertainment and political items I have collected over the years. It is the most permanent and fitting way to both share and show my appreciation to the city I love and where I have lived and worked my entire professional career.”

Lisnek, 56, a Chicago native and graduate of Niles North High School in Skokie, is an alum of the University of Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s and a doctorate in speech communication, and a law degree. He has been political analyst at WGN since 2008 and has written 13 books.