(Above) Television journalist Bill Kurtis (right), recipient of this year’s Community Leadership Award from the FBI, with last year’s recipient, local NBC executive Larry Wert (left). Kurtis received the award Tuesday at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse. (Click on image to view larger version.)

January 19, 2010 – Television journalist Bill Kurtis says he represents “an extension of the FBI in the media” and was pleased to receive an award Tuesday afternoon near Marina City that recognizes citizens for helping with crime prevention and education.

Kurtis received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, presented annually in each of the bureau’s 56 domestic field offices. Last year’s recipient was Larry Wert, President of NBC Local Media’s Central & Western Region.

The former CBS News anchor has also worked for WBBM-TV in Chicago. He currently hosts crime and news documentaries on the A & E television network.

Kurtis noted a growth in cooperation between the FBI and the media “that I didn’t think I would see in my day because they were very closed-mouthed – and still are about ongoing investigations,” he told Marina City Online.

“But they also see the value in the media and having a voice. They’re cooperative. I’m there to tell their story. And that’s what makes me feel good about this.”

The event was held at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in the River North neighborhood of downtown Chicago.

In 1976, a 36-year-old Kurtis covered a story at Marina City. A resident had been murdered as part of an insurance scam. Kurtis interviewed the man’s sister at the Marina City apartment she shared with her brother

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