Chicago Public TV Station cuts jobs as part of effort to save $3M

Chicago public television station WTTW is cutting expenses by $3 million next year, a move that forced the public broadcaster to eliminate up to a dozen jobs. WTTW lost $1.3 million in state funding, and it anticipates a continued drop in revenue for the fiscal year that starts July 1. A WTTW spokeswoman said that the company had a $4-million shortfall in its current fiscal year and it hopes to generate at least $52 million in revenue next year. The company's WFMT-FM/98.7 radio station will not lose any staff, but will have its budget cut by $200,000. Other cost-cutting measures include trimming executive salaries by 5% for the second consecutive year and carrying the companywide salary freeze through to 2011. The employee cafeteria will also be closed.