Radio/print reporter

Description:

Illinois radio/print reporter

The Center Square is seeking a highly motivated reporter to help lead our taxpayer-focused coverage of state government and other issues in Illinois for radio and print. We're looking for a passionate journalist who has government reporting experience, and a strong interest and understanding of politics and public policy. The Center Square covers government from a taxpayers’ perspective, not from government’s perspective. We hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions, and inform our readers how those decisions affect them.

The media industry in the U.S. is shrinking, leaving fewer options for readers to digest the decisions made by their state and local government officials. The Center Square seeks to fill this journalistic void in state capitals, particularly Springfield, Illinois.

This key role will be joining other state and local news operations as we expand our impact in the states. It reports to The Center Square’s Midwest Regional Editor.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan daily news coverage for Illinois Radio Network and The Center Square print affiliates 

• Work with other staff reporters and contractors to report on the most important stories of the day in Illinois

• Manage distribution for IRN to include sound clips and scripts, and print stories to publication partners

• On-the-ground reporting at the Illinois Statehouse during session days and other events 

• Attend news conference, be prepared to ask probing questions 

• Develop sources, conduct interviews, write copy for print and radio publications 

• Work with BlueRoomStream video team during peak legislative activity

EXPECTATIONS:

• Have excellent writing and research abilities, and adhere to Associated Press style.

• Take direction well, and be willing to learn from The Center Square's experienced editors and other journalists.

• Live in the region you are assigned. Meet sources both inside and outside of government.

• Look beyond government-issued press releases and reports to determine the real impact of policy on taxpayers and job creators.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, or a related field is preferred but not required, and at least two years of government reporting experience.

• Proficient in understanding news and moving fast to report on breaking and developing stories 

• Able to navigate the legislative, executive and judicial branches for developing stories 

• Writing approachable news copy to distill complex issues into concise explanations

• Network with sources for news tips and background

• Multimedia reporting focused on utilizing video stream to pull and edit video and audio clips for affiliate use

• Hosting news podcasts with a focus on objectively explaining how the government impacts taxpayers
  
  

To apply, please send resume and writing samples Dan McCaleb, executive editor, via email: jobs@franklinnews.org.