When Kimberly France, a descendant of free African-American pioneers, first approached Toni Craig to help piece together her family’s history in a southern Illinois community called Africa, Craig wasn’t sure she was up for it. Craig already had spent years assembling and telling the stories of the community of Africa, which is located 120 miles from St. Louis. France and … [Read more...] about Recovering the history of free Black settlements in Illinois
Illinois
Local news outlets should play larger role in helping community members find vaccines
My mother was frustrated. At 78, she was next in line for the COVID-19 vaccine under state guidance in Illinois, but like so many seniors, she was having difficulty navigating the various websites and phone lines to secure an appointment. When she finally got on a waiting list at the local hospital, she found out there were at least 1,000 people in front of her. After … [Read more...] about Local news outlets should play larger role in helping community members find vaccines
What it was like to cover Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan
He always meant what he said, but figuring out what he said, and meant, was the tough part. It was the ongoing theme of covering a powerful figure in Illinois politics who often was a man of few words, unless it suited him to be more verbose or more available. It was always fascinating trying to figure out how he worked. Illinois House … [Read more...] about What it was like to cover Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan
Some Illinois media outlets push back against late night passage of major criminal justice reform bill
Some news media are smarting from the late night passage of a groundbreaking Illinois criminal justice bill last month that left them without a chance to report on the substance of sweeping legislation that is now before the governor awaiting his signature. Police have launched a media campaign claiming the “dark of night” legislation endangers citizens. But members of the … [Read more...] about Some Illinois media outlets push back against late night passage of major criminal justice reform bill
College newspapers continue to report amid pandemic
As classes began for the fall semester of 2020, student newspapers are working to maintain their typical coverage despite many students living off-campus and most classes being held virtually. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit back in March, shutting down universities all over the country, it left plenty of college newspapers with unanswered questions on how they would … [Read more...] about College newspapers continue to report amid pandemic