* Horrible news…
Yvette Christine Shields, longtime Bond Buyer reporter who spent decades building a stellar career as one of Chicago’s finest and well-known financial reporters with a national reputation in the public finance industry, died unexpectedly this week. She was 57.
Shields died early Wednesday at a Chicago hospital after a brief illness.
“Yvette was everything a reporter should be — perpetually curious, tenacious, whip smart, and unafraid to ask the tough questions,” said Mike Scarchilli, editor in chief of The Bond Buyer. “More importantly, she was a wonderful person, both personally and professionally, beloved by colleagues and industry sources alike. She was the lifeblood of our newsroom, the de facto captain of our reporting team. Yvette is truly irreplaceable, and she will be sorely missed.” […]
Shields was born, raised and educated in Chicago and its suburbs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago and began her reporting career at the storied City News Bureau of Chicago, where she met many of her lifelong friends and sources.
Scarchilli is right. She’s irreplaceable. Nobody knew that beat like Yvette. She was so good at her job. And, while we never met (although we did promise to get together for drinks a few weeks ago), she seemed like such a fun person.
I’ll likely update this post later.
…Adding… Comptroller Susana Mendoza…
We are all heartbroken at the sudden and unexpected passing of the most knowledgeable reporter covering state finance in the Midwest, Yvette Shields. Her mastery of financial issues was matched by her larger-than-life personality; her kindness and her love for her sons. Yvette’s passing leaves a void in so many lives she touched. Her writing about municipal bonds; about Illinois’ financial challenges and progress; showed such a command of the issues. Coming on the heels of the loss of Civic Federation President Laurence Msall and Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch, Yvette’s death deprives us of yet another trusted voice on state finance. We send out love and condolences to Yvette’s sons and pray that she rest in God’s peace and eternal glory.
*** UPDATE *** Bond Buyer…
The family has set up the Yvette Shields Memorial Fund to primarily support the education of her 16-year-old son Wesley. The fund can be accessed through this link.
…Adding… Leader Sims…
State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the unexpected death of Yvette Shields:
“I am devastated by the untimely death of Yvette Shields. The journalism industry needs more honest, steadfast trailblazers like Yvette. She was bold and powerful yet she was calm and understanding. All who knew her or read her work were touched by her. Her legacy will live on for decades. My heart is with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:27 am:
Wow, that is so shocking and sad. Condolences to all who knew and worked with her.
- Elizabeth Austin - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:31 am:
I am devastated
- Elizabeth Austin - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:32 am:
No no no no no
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:41 am:
Truly terrible news, far too young, my condolences to her family and friends.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:43 am:
Oh no, what a loss. She was a tremendous source of no BS financial news.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:45 am:
She seemed to truly love what she did, which came across in the quality of her work. It’s hard to find wholistic financial reporting like hers that went into such great detail. She even put many morningstar reports to shame.
She was top-notch, no doubt about it.
irreplaceable, is an understatement.
- ChicagoBars - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 9:57 am:
Just like Rich Yvette and I were planning on finally getting IRL drinks and now I’ll always regret we never did. She was always generous with info when I’d message her asking to explain bonds and bond news that came up in hearings and was always willing to share, often in a wickedly funny way. And she’d do it while sharing her pride in her kids latest accomplishments too. Great reporter. Definitely a great proud mom. May her memory be a blessing.
- Elizabeth Austin - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:03 am:
We talk about people being irreplaceable, but she really is. Her knowledge base, combined with her principles — there’s no one like her.
- Steve Brown - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:09 am:
Very sad news. On the beat for a long time. Yvette understood the biz very well. She could distill the news from the b.s. Always thought she deserved more visibility. Prayers of comfort for her family.
- Smalls - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:20 am:
As someone who was on the tough side of a bond deal gone bad, I talked to Yvette numerous times over the last 12 years. She was always so kind, and was never out to make anyone look bad, just present the facts of the situation. She will be missed.
- Emily Miller - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:29 am:
This is horrible news. There’s no one else who does what she does. How awful for her loved ones. I’m thinking of them.
- New Day - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:42 am:
OMG, what horrible horrible news. She was phenomenal and seemed like such a genuinely nice person. I’m stunned.
- New Day - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:51 am:
“We talk about people being irreplaceable, but she really is. Her knowledge base, combined with her principles — there’s no one like her.”
Exactly right. Wow. Just stunned.
- ;) - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 10:52 am:
oh wow that is sad, rest in peace yvette.
- Kelley Quinn - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 11:02 am:
I had the pleasure of working with Yvette for years. She was amazing at her job and always held our feet to the fire. A huge loss for Chicago.
- John Patterson - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 11:07 am:
My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and friends. A great reporter and even more wonderful person. I looked forward to her inquiries because she was so much fun to chat with, while also dreading those calls because I knew I was out of my league when it came to her beat. This is a terrible loss.
- Chicago 20 - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:41 pm:
My condolences.
- New Day - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:55 pm:
Susanna’s statement is exactly right. We are losing our institutional memory with each untimely and unimaginable passing.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:25 pm:
So sad.
I looked upon her talents and ability with admiration and respect. Impossible to say how much she will be missed.
- Becky Carroll - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 3:14 pm:
I am forever in Yvette’s debt. When I started my gig in the governor’s office as spokesperson on the budget, and knew actually very little about public finance and pensions, she always took the time to hold my hand and help me understand the basics. She was also very kind and funny, and I was in awe of her ability to take such complex issues and break them down for anyone and everyone to understand. She was an absolute pleasure to work with. My deepest, deepest condolences to her family.