Chicago Tribune Offers 30% Premium to Acquire DailyHerald (DHN)

The Chicago Tribune (CHI) is leading the bidding for DailyHerald Newspapers (DHN) with a 30% premium to any other offer, per a full-page ad published Feb 9, 2026. The Tribune did not comment when approached. Paddock Publications, which filed a notice with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in January, is considering a sale of the northwest suburban daily. The company must have given 120 days' written notice to employees, the state, and county officials under the Strengthening Community Media Act, effective Jan 1, 2025. The DailyHerald, a third-largest daily in Illinois with a current circulation of 52,410, was converted to an employee stock ownership plan in 2018. Tribune Publishing acquired the DailyHerald’s printing at the Schaumburg plant in 2023 and printed it under contract. Tribune is seeking to buy the newspaper and the printing operation, with the ad inviting Paddock’s ESOP holders to encourage management to accept the highest and best offer.