Elizabeth Brackett is a correspondent for PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, covering national politics, finance, the environment, science and sports. She is a winner of the prestigious Peabody Award for her political reporting, as well as a National Emmy.

Ms. Brackett also serves as news host for the flagship public affairs program Chicago Tonight on WTTW11, the PBS affiliate station in Illinois, where her expertise includes Republican and Democratic politics, school reform, public housing, and issues related to the environment and the economy. A lifetime Chicagoan, she has developed access to news and inside sources in all walks of life throughout Illinois. Few are the political and civic leaders she has not reached and interviewed.

Along with her national awards, she has garnered three Midwest Emmy Awards and two Peter Lisagor Awards for her television reporting from the Midwest.

In 2002, Brackett profiled Gov. Rod Blagojevich for PBS, and she has kept a close eye on the governor since that time.

Before becoming a broadcast journalist, Brackett was Illinois Issues Coordinator for Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, and fundraising and advance director for William Singer’s Chicago mayoral campaign. She was also a social worker with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and a community organizer in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Her work behind the scenes in both the political and social services/civic realms has provided her with a deep understanding of the practical link between citizens, government, and government officials.

Elizabeth Brackett is also an accomplished athlete. She is a member of the USA National Triathlon team and won in her age group in the 2008 USA Triathlon Championships.

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