Jay Shefsky gets caught up in other people’s enthusiasm. Whether they love ice fishing or are passionate about improving the lives of neighborhood kids, he wants to hear – and tell – their stories.
Jay arrived at WTTW in 1986 with a full head of hair and a desire to tell stories about everyday people. After several years of apprenticing with some of WTTW’s best, he started making his own documentaries.
A Justice That Heals told a powerful story of forgiveness in the wake of a murder. To Live Until I Die looked at hospice care through the eyes of 6 patients and their families. Angels Too Soon was about the tragic 1959 fire at Our Lady of Angels School. Other documentaries told stories about public housing, neighborhood parent activists, and the costs of racism. As Series Producer of Chicago Stories with John Callaway, he oversaw the production of 15 historical documentaries about Chicago.
In 2005, Jay joined the staff of Chicago Tonight and then stepped in front of the camera to tell his unique brand of stories about Chicagoans whose talents and passions and projects make up the rich texture of this city. In 2010, those stories found a new audience with the creation of Jay’s Chicago.
Jay's work has been honored with numerous awards, including Emmys, Peter Lisagor journalism awards, and a Cine Golden Eagle. His work has been broadcast nationally on PBS, and on the ABCNEWS Nightline program.
Jay is an avid cyclist, hiker, and paddler. His wife Liz Feldman, and daughters Hannah and Leah, are the best part of Jay's Chicago.
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