Tax credits among policies being considered to revive local journalism in Illinois – Center Square

Since 2005, the task force found that Illinois has lost 86% of journalist jobs at newspapers, and 232 local newspapers have folded. The report also cited a decline in advertising revenues for local news outlets as a majority of Illinoisans said they get their news online. Five of Illinois’ 102 counties (Pulaski, Alexander, Perry, Hamilton, and Edwards) have no local source of news, and 33 rely on just a single source, according to The State of Local News 2023, a research project led by Northwestern’s Medill Local News Initiative.
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debtsor
2 years ago

I welcome the death of local journalism. I hope it dies a quick death and never comes back. I hate my local news reporters. It’s all thinly veiled propaganda. Trump bad, progressive good. Every article must include multiple quotes from the president of the local progressive action group, never any quotes from the other side. The local reporters 2 years out of journalism school think that “Truth to Power” is embarrassing anyone they disagree with in the local community they cover. Several years back a local politician in my town had a very minor scandal over some slightly derogatory comment… Read more »

Elaine S.
2 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

I get what you’re saying, however, there needs to be SOME kind of local journalism because people need to know what is happening in their community and they can’t be everywhere at once. Maybe I’m biased because many years ago I worked for a small town weekly newspaper and enjoyed it very much, despite the low pay (which is why I eventually had to move on). Citizen/amateur journalism done by concerned residents who have day jobs elsewhere is great and should be encouraged, but not everyone can afford (financially or otherwise) to do it. However, tax credit programs aren’t the… Read more »

Freddy
2 years ago

Another task force? How many are there which end up doing nothing like the property task farce (sorry force)? I’m sure there is a task force which just counts the other task forces.
Do lawmakers get paid extra to be on a task force?

K6
2 years ago

Wait a minute . There are journalist in IL?

Where's Mine ???
2 years ago

If passed, assume state to also set up commission to ONLY award journalism tax breaks FREE from– carnival barker/ MAGA/ anti machine gov union sites only!!! Only tax breaks for truth tellers!!! the people have spoken!!!

Riverbender
2 years ago

Pritzker is throwing money at this to round up the press to be on his side to print the headlines he needs to show the country how the State loves his policies. The reality is apparently the citizenry has no desire to consume the pablum that these journalists produce. Perhaps if there were some true investigative reporting things might be different but for myself anyway why would I buy into any media that survives on touting the benefits of Pritzker’s Illinois? None the less Pritzker is buying the Press’ loyalty and using taxpayer dollars, instead of his own to do… Read more »

Robert L. Peters
2 years ago
Reply to  Riverbender

They need to bring back Pam Zeckman chasing down city workers.

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