Remembering Roger Simon: A Political Giant

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  Politics and Government on Sat, Sep 12th, 2026 by Chicago Sun-Times
      Locale: UNITED STATES

The Passing of a Political Giant: Remembering Roger Simon

The journalistic landscape of Chicago and the broader American political discourse have suffered a significant loss with the passing of Roger Simon. A cornerstone of the Chicago Sun-Times for years, Simon died at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy defined by intellectual rigor, sharp wit, and an unwavering commitment to the nuances of political commentary.

For decades, Simon served as a political columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, a role that positioned him at the intersection of power and the public. In a city known for its complex political machinery and fierce ideological battles, Simon emerged not merely as an observer, but as a vital interpreter. His columns were more than just reports on policy or electoral outcomes; they were dissections of the human elements that drive governance. He possessed the rare ability to distill complex legislative maneuvers into prose that was accessible to the layperson while remaining sophisticated enough to challenge the politicians he covered.

Simon's contribution to the Sun-Times came during a transformative era for print journalism. As the industry shifted from the dominance of the daily newspaper to the fragmented reality of the digital age, Simon remained a steady presence. He represented a tradition of the "public intellectual" columnist—writers who did not simply provide a take on the news of the day, but who provided a historical and philosophical context for why those events mattered. His work served as a bridge between the old guard of political reporting and the modern demand for rapid-fire analysis, all while maintaining a standard of quality that prioritized depth over speed.

Those who followed his work recall a voice that was often courageous and occasionally provocative. Simon did not shy away from criticizing those in power, regardless of their party affiliation. However, his critiques were rarely rooted in partisan malice; instead, they were grounded in a desire for transparency and effectiveness in government. By holding a mirror up to the political class, Simon encouraged his readers to be more critical consumers of political rhetoric and more engaged citizens in their own right.

The loss of Roger Simon is felt not only in the newsrooms of Chicago but across the political spectrum. The role of the political columnist has evolved—and in some ways diminished—in the era of social media and 24-hour news cycles. The space for measured, long-form commentary has shrunk, making the void left by Simon's departure even more pronounced. He belonged to a generation of journalists who viewed their role as a civic duty, believing that a well-informed public was the only true safeguard of a functioning democracy.

Beyond his tenure at the Sun-Times, Simon's influence extended into the broader cultural conversation. His ability to blend humor with gravity allowed him to tackle the most serious issues of the day without descending into nihilism. He understood that politics, at its core, is a human endeavor, fraught with ego, error, and occasional moments of brilliance. By capturing these contradictions, he provided a more honest portrait of American politics than the sanitized versions often presented by official press releases.

As the Chicago Sun-Times and its readership mourn his passing, the enduring impact of his work remains. Roger Simon leaves behind a body of work that serves as a chronicle of a city and a nation in flux. His career stands as a testament to the power of the written word to shape public perception and to hold the powerful accountable. In the wake of his death, the journalistic community is reminded of the indispensable value of the seasoned columnist—the voice that can cut through the noise to find the essential truth of a political moment.