Mark Guarino named managing editor of The Daily Line

Mark Guarino

Mark Guarino, veteran journalist and Chicago correspondent for The Washington Post, has been named managing editor and contributing reporter at The Daily Line, the subscription newsletter on state and local politics.

He succeeds Heather Cherone, who joined Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11 last month as a digital news reporter covering City Hall.

The Daily Line

Don Vincent, co-owner and publisher with his brother, Jay Vincent, announced Guarino's appointment Monday. “Jay and I are looking forward to his experience and leadership in this new chapter at The Daily Line,” he said.

Guarino, 50, a native of Oak Park and graduate of Loyola University, began his career at the Daily Herald, where he spent 14 years as a reporter, copy editor and pop music critic, before he joined The Christian Science Monitor as Midwest bureau chief. When The Christian Science Monitor closed its Chicago bureau in 2014 he shifted to reporting on news and culture here for The Washington Post.

Under contract to write a book on the history of country and folk music in Chicago for University of Chicago Press, he also holds a master’s degree in writing from Bennington College.

As a playwright, Guarino has had his work produced by The House Theatre of Chicago, Walkabout Theater Company, Curious Theatre Branch, Chicago Dramatists, Zebra Crossing and Strawdog Theatre Company, among others.

Last month he wrote a highly acclaimed essay for the Chicago Reader on the death of singer-songwriter John Prine from COVID-19. (Here is the link.)

Friday’s comment of the day: Matt McCann: So the question is once things return to normal and advertising levels go back to where they were, will these jobs and these people return — or is this just a way to cut expenses under the cover of COVID-19? The fact they were “fired” and not furloughed is all you need to know. As local radio gets less local and in touch with the community it will become less and less impactful in our daily life. A shame. I hope those who lost jobs will be lucky to find something else soon.