Stadelman task force to preserve local journalism convenes for 1st time Monday

A task force appointed to study the decline of local journalism in Illinois and recommend ways to revive the industry meets for the first time Monday.

The task force is being led by State Senator Steve Stadelman, who passed legislation to establish the panel of frontline journalists and academics and who worked 25 years as an award-winning television reporter and news anchor before his election to the Illinois General Assembly in 2012.

"Newsrooms across the nation are shrinking, especially in smaller and more rural areas, and an alarming number have closed in the last decade," Stadelman said. "When people don't know what's happening on their town councils and school boards, they can't make educated decisions or hold public officials accountable."

Stadelman's legislation charges the 23-member task force with studying Illinois communities underserved by the news media, proposing public policy to strengthen local journalism and recommending ways to support private-sector or non-profit operating models. Members of the task force represent higher education including the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, news media including the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council and Illinois Press Association and government including the Illinois Municipal League.

"There needs to be a candid conversation about the future of local news and how its future will affect the lives of families across our state," Stadelman said. "Although the outcome could be that state government has no role, I'm optimistic about Illinois coming up with creative solutions to keep journalism alive and keep our citizens informed regardless of their zip codes."

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced this week that three Rockford churches -- City First, Crosspoint and Bethesda Evangelical Covenant -- are receiving $749,000 in state grants to strengthen public safety and protect against security threats.

The local grants are among $20 million in awards statewide to non-profit places of worship, reproductive health providers, cultural institutions and education centers deemed at high risk of a terrorist attack. Funds must be used for "target-hardening" activities that include active shooter trainings, purchase and installation of security equipment or hiring of contracted security personnel.

“In recent years, there have been several attacks on religious institutions,” Stadelman said. “Belonging to a religious institution should not subject you to acts of violence because of your beliefs. So I view this is a matter of public safety and believe these at-risk organizations deserve some financial support.” 

Security enhancements must be for the locations occupied by the non-profit at the time of its application, and projects must be completed during a three-year performance period. To learn more about this funding opportunity, visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency website and download the Notice of Funding Opportunity and Fact Sheet.

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

State Senator Steve Stadelman
March 22 at 5:30 PM

$175M in grants are available for restaurants, hotels & creative arts business through #ILB2B. Need help preparing to apply or determining eligibility? 100 + navigators across IL are available to help!

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State Senator Steve Stadelman
March 15 at 3:30 PM

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hiring conservation workers at state parks around Illinois including Rock Cut State Park here in Loves Park.

Click below to learn more or apply online: