Chicago City Wire

Chicago's Morning Answer radio talk show co-host Dan Proft recently responded to Gregory Pratt’s defense of a GoFundMe page connected to his family.

The Chicago City Wire previously reported that Proft made his viewers and followers aware of how Pratt, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune who covers news surrounding Mayor Lori Lightfoot and city councils, had a GoFundMe page connected to his family. The page, which was set up for the wife of his late father and earned more than $1700, was attached to a tweet from Pratt in November 2021 following his father’s passing. The controversy stems from the amount of money donated by politicians that Pratt had written stories on in the past, including Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx; U.S. Rep. Jesus Garcia (D-IL); former Illinois Deputy Gov. and state attorney general candidate Jesse Ruiz; three members of the Chicago City Council: Gil Villegas, Samantha Nugent Matt O’Shea; and others.

"Greg Pratt, Tribune City Hall reporter, solicited and accepted donations from pols like Kim Foxx and principals (e.g. lobbyist for Lincoln Yards developer) he covers," Proft said in an April 26 tweet. "Donors were happy to disclose their names, b/c, hey, they're all friends. Journalism."

Pratt responded to the initial tweet with a Twitter post of his own.

“You're lying: I didn't create, control or receive anything from that GoFundMe,“ he tweeted. “What I did was write about my dad's sickness and death, on social media and for the Tribune. I'll be sure to ask for your opinion the next time my dad dies.“ 

Proft answered back in a later tweet, maintaining that it was a violation of ethical journalism.

“Your family benefited from people you cover at your behest,” he said. “You can protest and obfuscate all you want. You cannot get around that simple ethical breach. But I know you're 'just trying to make my city a better place' and you're a proud Tribune guild member so that absolves all.”

Proft and co-host Amy Jacobson discussed the matter on their April 27 show, bringing up the fact that Pratt did not have an ongoing relationship with his father, who left home when Proft was young. They were adamant that such solicitations are the norm in today’s journalism and in the Tribune, and they were upset that Pratt was not removed from his position with the company. Some residents called in to share their frustration with the issue and said they felt no media sources were reliable anymore.

Pratt has made no further response on Twitter or otherwise. 

"You can try to shame me about your estranged father’s passing, I’m sorry his estranged father died that’s not what this is about, it’s about a simple point," Proft said on his show. "[Pratt’s] family benefitted from [his] solicitation of people [he] covers, and it’s an ethical breach. But they won’t admit it."