The Illinois Press Foundation is launching a news service, Capitol Newswire Illinois, to provide coverage of state government to newspapers and broadcasters across the state. The objective is to reinvigorate coverage of state government in Illinois to create a centralized and unbiased source of news content for media and citizens.

The IPF is seeking a full-time reporter to work with our full-time bureau chief and interns in this effort. The reporter will cover the activities of the Legislature, governor and state agencies. The service will provide stories, photos, videos, live streams, audio and graphics to more than 400 newspapers and broadcast news outlets.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Cover legislative processes; activities of the governor, legislators and state agencies; and state government issues.
• Work with bureau chief to create daily and long-term coverage plans.
• Contribute to the daily coverage (reporting, photos, videos, live stream, audio, graphics).
• Write longer-form enterprise and investigative pieces.
• Post to the news service’s social media accounts.

Education, Skills and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in journalism or related field.
• Experience reporting in a professional, daily deadline setting.
• Proven ability to work on long-term, enterprising and investigative projects is preferred, as is previous experience covering the Illinois Statehouse and state government.
• Experience shooting photos and videos is preferred, as is a proven ability to do audio reporting and managing social media and digital platforms.
• InDesign and Photoshop experience is preferred.

To Apply: Our plan is to have the news bureau up and running in mid to late January, so we’ll move quickly. Please email a letter of interest, resume, work samples and references to Jeff Rogers, Illinois Press Foundation director, at jrogers@illinoispress.org by Dec. 5, 2018.