Veteran Chicago Editor Andrea Hanis Dies at 56 After Brave Battle

BREAKING NEWS: Veteran Chicago newspaper editor Andrea Hanis has passed away at the age of 56 after a courageous 14-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Hanis died on November 12, 2023, at a rehabilitation facility in the Gold Coast neighborhood, according to her close friend Joyce Winnecke.

This loss is felt deeply across the journalism community, as Hanis was known for her innovative spirit and strong leadership. She spent over a decade at the Chicago Sun-Times, where she held various editorial roles, including travel editor and lifestyle editor, before becoming editor of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Following her diagnosis in late 2022, she continued to inspire those around her until her retirement last year.

Winnecke, who served as managing editor at the Sun-Times during Hanis’s tenure, expressed, “She lived and breathed integrity and good journalism.” Hanis’s career spanned prominent positions at the Chicago Tribune and Crain’s Chicago Business, where she significantly impacted the newsroom and mentored countless journalists.

Born in 1969 in Whiting, Indiana, Hanis earned her journalism degree from Indiana University before moving to Chicago in 1993. Her colleagues remember her not only for her professional excellence but also for her devotion to personal relationships. She was particularly close to former society columnist Mary Cameron Frey, whom she lovingly cared for during Frey’s final days.

During her treatment, Hanis approached her illness with the same diligence she applied to her reporting. “She became a medical student,” Winnecke noted, highlighting Hanis’s thorough understanding of her condition and her proactive engagement with healthcare providers.

Hanis’s influence extended beyond traditional journalism. Her mentorship played a crucial role in launching the Chicago Social Butterflies newsletter through the Medill Local News Accelerator, according to Jake Wittich, a former Sun-Times reporter. “We couldn’t have done this without her,” he said, recalling her kindness and humor.

Her friends and colleagues celebrated her passion for creativity, which was evident in her culinary pursuits and her innovative editorial ideas. At Crain’s, she initiated the Taking Names column and was inspired by popular culture, even drawing ideas from the NBC sitcom “The Office” for her projects.

Hanis was surrounded by a devoted circle of friends during her illness, who organized a birthday celebration for her at the hospice center just a week before her passing. “She was so young,” reflected Patricia Wood Winn, who cherished her friendship with Hanis. “Her passing was very peaceful.”

A celebration of Hanis’s remarkable life and career is set to be held in January, according to Winnecke. Her legacy as a passionate journalist, dedicated mentor, and cherished friend will undoubtedly resonate within the community and beyond.

As tributes pour in, the journalism world mourns the loss of a true leader who exemplified the highest standards of integrity and creativity.