Reporter

About the role

Capitol News Illinois is seeking to add reporters to its award-winning newsroom to help cover the state from Chicago to Carbondale. The nonprofit news organization will be adding three reporters to cast the widest net possible for covering state government, the relationship between Illinois and the federal government, and how state and city of Chicago government overlap.

Responsibilities

• Springfield‑based Statehouse Reporter: Replace the Statehouse reporter who led education and public health coverage; require knowledge of state government, ability to read legislation, capacity to learn on the fly, and adaptability to changing surroundings.
• Chicago‑based Enterprise Reporter: Enterprise‑first reporter who launches investigations from the Chicago area, works with partner newsrooms, and uncovers off‑the‑beaten‑path news; will focus on the city’s relationship with state government and be available for spot news and daily‑turn assignments as needed.
• Unspecified location Federal Government and Courts Reporter: Cover developments from court, especially Illinois’ relationship to the federal government; understand how courts interact with legislatures and how states interact with the feds; cover the attorney general, federal courthouses, and, when appropriate, monitor the state’s congressional delegation.

Requirements

• Knowledge of state government (Statehouse role)
• Ability to read legislation
• Ability to learn on the fly
• Adaptability to changing surroundings
• Enterprise reporting skills: launching investigations, collaborating with partner newsrooms, uncovering off‑the‑beaten‑path stories
• Understanding of how courts interact with legislatures and federal relations
• Capability to cover the attorney general, federal courthouses, and the state’s congressional delegation

Pay

Salary range: $60,000–$75,000 per year. Specific ranges for each position are $65,000–$75,000 per year (Springfield‑based Statehouse Reporter, Chicago‑based Enterprise Reporter, and Unspecified‑location Federal Government and Courts Reporter).