In this very special edition of the INBA Podcast, Margaret Larkin interviews John Drummond. Drummond is a legendary TV journalist who spent three decades reporting for CBS2 Chicago. Drummond earned the nickname “Bulldog” for his tenacious reporting. He is known for his coverage of crime, corruption, and the mob in the windy city. He still returns to what he calls “the magic lantern,” every now and then to provide expert analysis and context to stories on CBS2.

But Drummond didn’t start in the big city. He’s from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and he got his first news job doing radio in Iowa.

He said the first time he watched TV was in 1948 and remembers it was “fascinating.” Despite that, it’s not the career he originally wanted.

Drummond was enthralled by the radio broadcasts of WWII and joined the Air Force for four years. He even considered a career in Navy intelligence. After his service he contemplated getting a law degree because of his interest in high school debate.

Ultimately, he got his start in radio and made the transition into TV for a better paycheck; he had a family of three children to support. Drummond said he welcomed the change, adding you have to be “a ham” to work in TV. He had aspired to work in the Twin Cities, but found an opportunity in Chicago and jumped at the chance.

The “Bulldog” gave us some insight on his favorite stories he’s covered in Chicago, including the mob. He said in his career, Chicago had the most powerful mob faction in the country.

If you love history and perspective, this is an episode you can’t miss.

  When covering a Bloomington City Council meeting in 2017, Howard was reaching under the media table and hit his head on it. His facial expression is, well, interesting. WGLT student reporter Baylee Steelman was sitting right there, and her reaction was to put her head in her hands.

  That might have been the end of it.  But enter Howard’s WJBC Co-worker Sam Wood.  He posted a screenshot of the awkward moment on social media and captured Steelman’s attention. “I thought he was pretentious and messing with me.  But we got to talking and he asked me out for drinks.”
Drinks led to dating, which the two continued through Steelman’s ISU graduation in 2018.  Shortly after, both got jobs as producers at WSIL-TV in Carterville. 

  After about 18 months in Southern Illinois, they were both able to land new producer jobs north of the border, in Milwaukee: Sam at CBS58 and Baylee at FOX6.  That was early in 2020, and Steelman says though the pandemic has made them miss much of what Milwaukee is about, like the many music and cultural festivals, they have still been able to explore safely. They celebrated three years together in December 2020.

  The unfortunate incident captured on video is now a fond memory for the couple. Steelman says, “If Howard didn’t hit his head on that table, I don’t know if we would be together!”