Staff Writer

Date Posted	June 04, 2026
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	General Assignment
Required Education	Bachelor's Degree
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	$50,000-$60,000

Description:

Illinois Times, a 51-year-old alternative weekly newspaper with a vision to become a daily digital news source, is seeking a staff writer to help us expand our coverage of the state capital and surrounding areas in central Illinois. In an era when other media outlets are closing or downsizing, we are growing.

After five decades of being locally owned and building a reputation for high-quality, hyperlocal journalism, we have transitioned to a nonprofit news model. We have a three-year strategic plan and a new CEO to help us deliver the expanded reporting that our community has said they want.

We are looking for a new reporter to become embedded in the community, develop sources and provide daily stories on topics of interest to our readers. You should be versatile, able to attend a community event and write a 500-word piece to post online that day but also write a 2,500-word cover story once a month. You will ensure stories are ready for immediate digital posting and you will be able to juggle the demands of digital and print journalism.

You're nimble, having the ability to pivot in an ever-changing workflow. You are a team player with a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills. You have the ability to multitask, meet tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure.

We all work under the same roof and collaborate closely, so you need to have the ability to commute easily to our office in central Springfield or the willingness to relocate quickly.

We are a close-knit organization, with 13 full-time employees and growing. The editorial staff you will join includes two full-time reporters, a photographer/videographer, a copy editor/calendar editor and an executive editor, plus many freelancers. Each department is supportive of the others and we want to see each other succeed. We work hard, but we are serious about maintaining a good balance between work and life.

We remain committed to print, with 20,000 paper copies of Illinois Times circulated in a five-county area each week, plus our specialty publications. We are also focusing on growing our digital presence and audience through various newsletters and social media platforms. As the state capital, we have the opportunity to cover issues of statewide importance while also staying true to our hyperlocal focus.

The company offers a competitive salary with comprehensive health plans, personal time off and discretionary retirement contributions.

If you are passionate about journalism and want to grow your career, this is the place for you. Email resumes to Michelle Ownbey, executive editor, at mownbey@illinoistimes.com. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.