Maudlyne Ihejirika is an education reporter and assistant city editor with the Chicago Sun-Times. A veteran news journalist with more than 18 years experience in media, public relations and government, she holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Creative Writing from the University of Iowa.

Ms. Ihejirika began her career at the Chicago Sun-Times in 1986, where she spent 11 years covering issues from politics to urban affairs, and was Weekend City Editor when she left the Sun-Times in 1997. An award-winning news reporter, she is the recipient of numerous citations for her hard-hitting urban affairs coverage.  Ms. Ihejirika was responsible for launching the Season of Sharing Program for the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust in 1996, serving as its director in the program’s first year.

In 1997, she was hired away from the Chicago Sun-Times by then Illinois Governor Jim Edgar to serve as press secretary for his Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. As Gov. Edgar’s spokesperson for that state agency, Ms. Ihejirika reported directly to the agency’s Director and to the Office of the Governor,  managing a multi-city staff of 12  that oversaw crisis management and public relations for the agency from its headquarters in Springfield and Chicago.

In 2003, Ms. Ihejirika left public relations to return to her journalism roots and the Chicago Sun-Times, where she now covers the Chicago Public Schools and issues in education.
Ms. Ihejirika is a native of Imo-State, Nigeria, her family emigrating here as refugees of the Nigerian-Biafran War in 1969.