NewsMatch fundraising drive caps exciting year of growth and impact for Capitol News Illinois

NewsMatch fundraising drive caps exciting year of growth and impact for Capitol News Illinois

By JEFF ROGERS
Executive Director, Capitol News Illinois and Illinois Press Foundation

We were humbly born on Jan. 23, 2019, with this headline: “Pritzker signs on to U.S. Climate Alliance.”

More than 100,000 times since then, Illinois newspapers and broadcast stations have used our reporting to inform their audiences. Capitol News Illinois has quickly become a trusted and dependable source of reporting on state government. Our reach is unparalleled. Our impact is being felt in the Statehouse and beyond.

We’re excited to say this is only the beginning. There’s so much more ahead for Capitol News Illinois.

It’s no secret that our beginning came at others’ end: As newspapers cut reporting coverage at the Capitol over the past two decades, a void was visible. Our polarized politics and government needed more oversight and transparency, not less. The Illinois Press Foundation took action by creating Capitol News Illinois in 2019, partnering with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to provide the initial funding.

Today, our footprint is large and growing. More than 460 newspapers and more than 100 broadcasters receive our content and use it daily. Our reporting staff started at three and now is eight (the largest newsroom at the Capitol). We’ve also added two employees with a focus on audience growth and development and CNI’s digital presence. Our team has home bases at the Capitol, in Chicago, in southern Illinois, and in the Metro East.

Our publishing partnerships with the Illinois Press Association, Illinois Broadcasters Association, Southern Illinois Editorial Association, Illinois Public Radio and the Illinois College Press Association ensure we reach more Illinoisans than anyone, every day. Our team’s talent, experience and relentless commitment help us maximize our reach with meaningful coverage.

As Capitol News Illinois has grown, so has our impact. Our reporting along with ProPublica and Lee Enterprises Midwest about the abuse and neglect of patients at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna have prompted the state to announce the relocation of more than 100 residents from the facility. That reporting has twice been recognized nationally, in May when CNI reporters Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and last week when they were named winners of the 2023 Katherine Schneider Journalism Award by the National Center on Disability and Journalism in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism as Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Each news conference, committee hearing, court argument, agency or administration announcement we cover matters. Each difficult issue the General Assembly takes up is an opportunity for us to pick the ideas apart, present each side fairly and accurately, and know that our reporting is making a difference.

Our commitment from Day One has been and will be to provide CNI content for free to anyone who wants to use it. Our operations are not free, and we greatly appreciate the Illinois Press Foundation and Robert R. McCormick Foundation for stepping up to get us this far and help us grow significantly in the coming years. A $2 million grant from McCormick is helping our growth snowball. As our coverage reaches more people, we are adding broadcast and video options, and becoming more valuable to donors and sponsors.

Here is where it gets really exciting.

With a generous grant from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation, we are adding reporting and technical resources for broadcast operations. We are adding audio and video reports to our editorial offerings, with ready-to-air reports and packages available for radio and television outlets. We expect our broadcast partners will embrace our fair, unbiased and authoritative stream of coverage just as newspapers have.

We also have other expansion plans in mind that will make it easier for state government content to reach people. As these expansions are rolled out, we are working with a development team to ensure we develop new relationships to support our operations: through grants, events, donors, sponsorships and much more.

And beginning today and continuing through Dec. 31, you can help us continue to expand our coverage and grow our audience by giving to our year-end NewsMatch fundraising campaign. NewsMatch will match your individual one-time gift of up to $1,000. If you prefer to give monthly, you can do that, too, and it will be matched!

If you can go above and beyond with a gift today, you will get our NewsMatch campaign off to a strong start and help keep Capitol News Illinois going strong in 2024 and beyond.

When we started Capitol News Illinois with a team of three just about 5 years ago, we knew the possibilities. Now that we are here, we cannot wait to see how the growth ahead presents new opportunities and partnerships. We will do it, one impactful day of coverage at a time.

Jeff Rogers is executive director of the Illinois Press Foundation and its nonprofit news organization, Capitol News Illinois. He joined the Illinois Press Foundation in October 2018 and Capitol News Illinois was started in January 2019.

Leave a Comment





Local News

A youngster flies a kite at Altman Park. (Supplied photo)

Worth Park District has big plans after acquiring Altman Park

Upon the recent acquirement of Altman Park, the Worth Park District has big plans in store for its future. Altman Park is located at West 115th Street in Worth and is just shy of 21 acres of open fields.  There is an outlying building that has restrooms, concessions and a baseball field. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago owned…

13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn

New ordinance requires rooftop safety measures for firefighters

A new ordinance, spearheaded by Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, mandating rooftop safety measures to protect firefighters. In the event of a fire, light shafts, light courts, and skylights present grave danger to firefighters. These openings often lack guards or parapets, preventing firefighters from falling. The new ordinance requires…

When Martin Atilano walked up to the library on Oct. 18 he did not know he could access FEMA help to repair his home, he told the Southwest News Herald. (Photos by Robin Sluzas)

July Chicago Lawn tornado victims can get repair help from FEMA

By 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 18, a Saturday morning, the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the southwest side, home to many Latino residents, was already bustling with energy along Kedzie Avenue near the intersection of 61st Street. It would be hard to believe that just three months earlier, on July 15, an EF1 tornado swept through…

Young runners take over the front of the Howlin' Through the Hills starting line. (Photos by Xavier Sanchez)

Young runners shine at 9th annual Howl Through the Hills 5K

Runners of all ages took to the streets of Hickory Hills for the 9th Annual Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk last weekend. The event, which began at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, started at Hickory Hills City Hall and unfolded on a beautiful, brisk fall day. Hickory Hills partnered with North Palos School…

Ryan Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly Nissan, is ready to cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Oak Lawn auto dealership on Oct. 18. He is joined behind the ribbon by (from left) Natasha Miller Williams, president of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce; Trevor Kelly, sales manager; Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer, and Tyler Kelly, the general manager. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Oak Lawn’s Kelly Nissan dealership celebrates renovation, grand opening

Ryan Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly Nissan in Oak Lawn, said the dealership is entering a new phase for the 21st century. Kelly Nissan, located at 4300 W. 95th St., underwent a complete renovation over the past year. While Kelly acknowledged that the process brought “some headaches,” he believes the overall outcome is positive…

Robert Peplowski, owner of Peppo's Great Sub Sandwiches, cuts the ribbon to mark the grand opening in Orland Park on Oct. 23. He was joined by family, work associates, and members of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. Located just behind Robert Peplowski is his father, Jim Peplowski, the founder of Peppo's. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Peppo’s subs stays true to family roots with new Orland Park shop

Robert Peplowski believes that a great sub sandwich can be enjoyed everywhere in the southwest suburbs. And why not in Orland Park? Peplowski felt it was time to do just that, opening the newest Peppo’s Great Sub Sandwiches at 9836 W. 159th St., at the corner of 94th Avenue, near the Orland Park Mall. The…

Co-Chairs of McCord's 2024 Gala, Arlene Adams, Gala Co-Chair and Vice President Board of Directors of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center and Carol Trzcinski, Executive Director of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center. (Supplied photos)

McCord Gallery throws a 20th anniversary party

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center knows how to throw a party. The gallery, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park, hosted its 20th annual fundraising Gala themed, For the Love of Arts – Tapestry…McCord Woven in Time, on Saturday, Oct.5 at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St #1, Midlothian. “Seeing all the enthusiastic guests and…

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound October 30, 2024

Barbara Harrison

Chicago Ridge trustees reinstates clerk as a full-time job

The Chicago Ridge Village Board voted on Oct. 22 to reinstate the village clerk as a full-time position and confirmed the mayor’s role will also remain full-time, reflecting recent practices. Under the new measures, the annual salary for the mayor will stay at $85,000, with an additional $12,000 for serving as liquor commissioner. According to…

Palos Park Commissioner G. Darryl Reed said the village will lose more than $200,000 per year when the state's grocery tax is vanquished. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Palos Park debates local grocery tax to counter Illinois repeal

Illinois lawmakers have voted to eliminate the state’s 1% grocery tax in 2026, prompting officials in Palos Park to consider a local version of the tax to offset potential revenue losses. In May, Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the grocery tax as “regressive” and expressed his support for its removal. “If it reduces inflation for families…

Neighbors

A youngster flies a kite at Altman Park. (Supplied photo)

Worth Park District has big plans after acquiring Altman Park

Upon the recent acquirement of Altman Park, the Worth Park District has big plans in store for its future. Altman Park is located at West 115th Street in Worth and is just shy of 21 acres of open fields.  There is an outlying building that has restrooms, concessions and a baseball field. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago owned…

13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn

New ordinance requires rooftop safety measures for firefighters

A new ordinance, spearheaded by Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, mandating rooftop safety measures to protect firefighters. In the event of a fire, light shafts, light courts, and skylights present grave danger to firefighters. These openings often lack guards or parapets, preventing firefighters from falling. The new ordinance requires…

When Martin Atilano walked up to the library on Oct. 18 he did not know he could access FEMA help to repair his home, he told the Southwest News Herald. (Photos by Robin Sluzas)

July Chicago Lawn tornado victims can get repair help from FEMA

By 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 18, a Saturday morning, the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the southwest side, home to many Latino residents, was already bustling with energy along Kedzie Avenue near the intersection of 61st Street. It would be hard to believe that just three months earlier, on July 15, an EF1 tornado swept through…

Young runners take over the front of the Howlin' Through the Hills starting line. (Photos by Xavier Sanchez)

Young runners shine at 9th annual Howl Through the Hills 5K

Runners of all ages took to the streets of Hickory Hills for the 9th Annual Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk last weekend. The event, which began at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, started at Hickory Hills City Hall and unfolded on a beautiful, brisk fall day. Hickory Hills partnered with North Palos School…

Ryan Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly Nissan, is ready to cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Oak Lawn auto dealership on Oct. 18. He is joined behind the ribbon by (from left) Natasha Miller Williams, president of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce; Trevor Kelly, sales manager; Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer, and Tyler Kelly, the general manager. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Oak Lawn’s Kelly Nissan dealership celebrates renovation, grand opening

Ryan Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly Nissan in Oak Lawn, said the dealership is entering a new phase for the 21st century. Kelly Nissan, located at 4300 W. 95th St., underwent a complete renovation over the past year. While Kelly acknowledged that the process brought “some headaches,” he believes the overall outcome is positive…

Robert Peplowski, owner of Peppo's Great Sub Sandwiches, cuts the ribbon to mark the grand opening in Orland Park on Oct. 23. He was joined by family, work associates, and members of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. Located just behind Robert Peplowski is his father, Jim Peplowski, the founder of Peppo's. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Peppo’s subs stays true to family roots with new Orland Park shop

Robert Peplowski believes that a great sub sandwich can be enjoyed everywhere in the southwest suburbs. And why not in Orland Park? Peplowski felt it was time to do just that, opening the newest Peppo’s Great Sub Sandwiches at 9836 W. 159th St., at the corner of 94th Avenue, near the Orland Park Mall. The…

Co-Chairs of McCord's 2024 Gala, Arlene Adams, Gala Co-Chair and Vice President Board of Directors of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center and Carol Trzcinski, Executive Director of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center. (Supplied photos)

McCord Gallery throws a 20th anniversary party

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center knows how to throw a party. The gallery, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park, hosted its 20th annual fundraising Gala themed, For the Love of Arts – Tapestry…McCord Woven in Time, on Saturday, Oct.5 at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St #1, Midlothian. “Seeing all the enthusiastic guests and…

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound October 30, 2024

Barbara Harrison

Chicago Ridge trustees reinstates clerk as a full-time job

The Chicago Ridge Village Board voted on Oct. 22 to reinstate the village clerk as a full-time position and confirmed the mayor’s role will also remain full-time, reflecting recent practices. Under the new measures, the annual salary for the mayor will stay at $85,000, with an additional $12,000 for serving as liquor commissioner. According to…

Palos Park Commissioner G. Darryl Reed said the village will lose more than $200,000 per year when the state's grocery tax is vanquished. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Palos Park debates local grocery tax to counter Illinois repeal

Illinois lawmakers have voted to eliminate the state’s 1% grocery tax in 2026, prompting officials in Palos Park to consider a local version of the tax to offset potential revenue losses. In May, Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the grocery tax as “regressive” and expressed his support for its removal. “If it reduces inflation for families…