Erik Runge is an American journalist, television reporter, and radio personality best known for his work as a general assignment reporter for WGN-TV and WGN Radio in Chicago, Illinois. Since joining WGN News in November 2013, Runge has become a familiar face to viewers through his coverage of breaking news, politics, natural disasters, crime, and major community events across the Chicago metropolitan area. In 2020, he was promoted to a full-time general assignment reporter, reflecting his growing role within the newsroom.
Before arriving at WGN, Runge worked in several television markets, including Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas. Throughout his career, he has covered nationally significant stories such as Hurricane Ike, the BTK serial killer investigation, state government protests, and severe weather events. His reporting has also appeared on NBC Nightly News and MSNBC, demonstrating his experience in high-profile national news coverage.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Erik Runge |
| Profession | Television Reporter |
| Nationality | American |
| Current Employer | WGN-TV & WGN Radio |
| Position | General Assignment Reporter |
| Education | University of Iowa |
| Degrees | Journalism & Political Science |
| Joined WGN | November 2013 |
| Hometown | Iowa, United States |
Early Life and Family
Erik Runge is an Iowa native who developed an early interest in journalism and storytelling. Although he regularly reports on public affairs, he has maintained a private personal life and has shared very little publicly about his childhood or immediate family.
He has not publicly disclosed the identities of his parents or siblings, preferring to keep that part of his life away from the spotlight. Despite his privacy, he has often mentioned being a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan, reflecting his deep appreciation for Midwestern sports and culture.
Education
Runge attended the University of Iowa, where he graduated in 1999 with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science. His education provided a strong foundation in news reporting, investigative journalism, political coverage, and media ethics; skills that have shaped his broadcasting career.
Early Broadcasting Career
Before joining WGN, Runge built experience in several television markets across the United States.
One of his most notable early assignments came while working in central Kansas, where he covered developments related to the infamous BTK (“Bind, Torture, Kill”) serial killer investigation. His reporting on that case earned regional recognition and demonstrated his ability to cover complex criminal investigations.
He later worked for KMSP FOX 9 in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, as a general assignment reporter for approximately three years. During this period, he covered breaking news, severe weather, and community stories throughout the Twin Cities.
National News Coverage
Runge’s reporting has reached audiences well beyond his local television markets. Among his nationally recognized assignments were:
- Live reports for MSNBC following Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas.
- Coverage featured on NBC Nightly News.
- State government shutdowns and prolonged legislative protests.
- Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and wildfires across multiple states.
These experiences established him as a versatile journalist capable of reporting under challenging conditions.
WGN-TV Career
Erik Runge joined WGN News in November 2013 as a per diem reporter. Through years of consistent reporting, he became a regular contributor across multiple WGN broadcasts.
His reporting has covered:
- Breaking news
- Politics
- Public safety
- Crime
- Community events
- Extreme weather
- Government issues
- Human-interest stories
In June 2020, WGN News promoted Runge to a full-time general assignment reporter. Since then, he has continued reporting for WGN Morning News and WGN Midday News, covering stories throughout the Chicago area.
Journalism Style
Runge is known for a reporting style that combines factual accuracy with accessible storytelling. His work often emphasizes:
- Breaking news coverage
- Live field reporting
- Government accountability
- Public safety
- Disaster reporting
- Community-focused journalism
His calm on-air delivery and willingness to report from the scene of major events have made him a trusted reporter among Chicago viewers.
Erik Runge Age
Erik Runge has not publicly disclosed his date of birth or birth year. Neither WGN-TV nor Runge himself has released this information. While some websites speculate that he may be in his 40s or 50s, there is no verified public confirmation, making it most accurate to state that his age remains private.
Erik Runge Wife
Information about Erik Runge’s marital status varies across online sources. Several biography websites report that Runge is married to Stephanie Tichenor and that they have three children.
However, other public biographies state that he has not publicly disclosed a wife or relationship and describe his personal life as private.
Because these sources conflict and WGN has not published an official biography confirming his marital status, his family life cannot be stated with certainty based on publicly verified information.
Erik Runge Children
As with his marital status, information regarding children is inconsistent across publicly available sources. Some biographies claim he has three children, while others provide no confirmation. Since WGN has not publicly verified these details, any information about his children should be treated as unconfirmed.
Erik Runge Family
Runge has consistently chosen to keep details about his parents and siblings private.
There is no verified public information identifying his mother, father, or brothers and sisters. His public interviews and professional profiles focus primarily on his journalism career rather than his personal life.
Erik Runge Height
Erik Runge stands at an approximate height of between 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) and 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m). Because these figures come from third-party sources rather than WGN, they should be regarded as estimates rather than officially verified measurements.
Erik Runge Salary
WGN-TV does not publicly disclose employee salaries. Based on comparable compensation for experienced reporters in the Chicago television market, Runge’s annual salary is estimated to range between $45,000 and $120,000. These figures are industry estimates and have not been confirmed by WGN or Runge.
Erik Runge Net Worth
After more than two decades in broadcast journalism, Erik Runge has built an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million.
His wealth primarily comes from:
- Television journalism
- Reporting for WGN-TV
- Radio work with WGN Radio
- Previous reporting positions in multiple television markets
As with many journalists, his financial information has not been publicly disclosed, so these figures remain estimates.
Interesting Facts
- Erik Runge joined WGN-TV in November 2013 as a per diem reporter before becoming a full-time reporter in 2020.
- He graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in Journalism and Political Science.
- His reporting has appeared on NBC Nightly News and MSNBC.
- He has covered hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, wildfires, political protests, and major criminal investigations.
- He has described himself as a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Erik Runge?
Erik Runge is an American television journalist and general assignment reporter for WGN-TV and WGN Radio in Chicago. He joined the station in 2013 and became a full-time reporter in 2020.
How old is Erik Runge?
Erik Runge has not publicly disclosed his age or date of birth. No verified public source confirms this information.
Is Erik Runge married?
Public sources conflict on this topic. Some report that he is married to Stephanie Tichenor with three children, while others state that he has kept his relationship status private. WGN has not officially confirmed his marital status.
How tall is Erik Runge?
His height is commonly estimated to be between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches, although WGN has not officially verified this information.
What is Erik Runge’s salary?
His annual salary is estimated to range between $45,000 and $120,000, based on industry averages. WGN has not publicly disclosed his actual compensation.
What is Erik Runge’s net worth?
Erik Runge’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million, reflecting his long career in television journalism.