WTTW WFMT

Four full-time employees were laid off and other cost-cutting measures were disclosed Friday at the nonprofit parent company of public television WTTW-Channel 11 and classical music WFMT 98.7-FM.

Representatives of Window to the World Communications Inc. declined to discuss the moves, which were announced in an internal memo to staff. "We don’t comment on personnel matters," a company spokeswoman said.

In addition to the four unidentified employees whose jobs were cut, seven staffers had their weekly schedules reduced by eight hours, and company vice presidents and other executives were ordered to take one-week furloughs before the end of the year, according to the memo from president and CEO Sandra Cordova Micek.

"We thank these valued colleagues for their contributions and service to WTTW and WFMT," she wrote. "Those affected by these job eliminations will be eligible for severance as well as unemployment benefits."

Micek added: "I want to emphasize that the changes we are announcing today are based on information currently available to us and where we are today. We will continue to manage the business dynamically and monitor economic and other factors. As always, we will continue to prioritize essential projects and expenses and plan for financial stability."

Public broadcasters have been especially hard hit by the loss of revenue attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month Chicago Public Media, nonprofit parent company of public radio news/talk WBEZ 91.5-FM, laid off 12 employees and terminated its production agreement with the rock music talk show “Sound Opinions.”