NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

One of Chicago’s two major newspapers got a lot less major.

The Chicago Sun-Times has laid off its entire photo staff.

The paper released the following statement, published on the Chicago Tribune’s site:

"The Sun-Times business is changing rapidly and our audiences are consistently seeking more video content with their news. We have made great progress in meeting this demand and are focused on bolstering our reporting capabilities with video and other multimedia elements. The Chicago Sun-Times continues to evolve with our digitally savvy customers, and as a result, we have had to restructure the way we manage multimedia, including photography, across the network."

According to sources close to the situation, Ragan's PR Daily says reporters will be asked to provide their own photography for stories - a fact that won't sit well with the Chicago Newspaper Guild.

Craig Rosenbaum, executive director for the union that represents the Sun-Times reporters and photographers, told Crain's:

“We will be looking into all of our options, legal and non-legal. We think this is a terrible move for the paper and community.”

Coincidentally, the Sun-Times recently paid homage to former chief photographer Bob Kotalik, eulogizing the former staffer who died nine days ago. He was 87.