AWARDS
2025 Telly Awards
WON – General – Information
WON – General – Branding
Jake produced the 4-minute short, “Proud Union Home Celebrates 10 Years” while with the Chicago Federation of Labor to highlight and honor the iconic sign and what it represents to working people in Chicago, and across the United States. Solidarity forever!
2018 Michigan Emmy’s
Nominated – Human Interest Single Story
2018 Michigan Associated Press
As a member of WWMT Newschannel 3’s News Team in Kalamazoo, MI, Jake shot, wrote, edited, and presented the story of the “Singing Nurse of Bronson Hospital.” The story came in as a tip on the weekend, and I knew I had to go out and get that story right away before one of our competitors did. I pleaded with my News Director, drove all the way to Indiana for an interview, almost missed slot, but in the end… I delivered a story so compelling and emotional, WGN-TV in Chicago closed their 6 PM newscast with my story as the kicker the following evening.”
Recent Campaign Work
“United We Move” — 2024-25
Labor Alliance for Public Transportation campaign to fund Illinois Public Transit
Jake helped lead labor’s campaign to pass a bill to fix and fund the RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace to avoid the $770 million fiscal cliff in 2026. Not only did the Illinois General Assembly pass a bill during the October Veto session, but the package Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law contains $1.5 billion in funding to improve efficiency, safety, and infrastructure across all Illinois Public Transit Systems.
The campaign focused on telling the story through the eyes of workers, both the ones who work to operate and maintain public transit, and those who use it every day to go to work, school, and everything else life necessitates. We rallied in Springfield, held press conferences outside Union Station, canvassed Chicago Cubs game and more as part of the winning strategy!
Jake Berent 