About the organization
The Illinois Answers Project is an investigations and solutions-focused nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom published by the Better Government Association, winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in local reporting. The Illinois Answers Project seeks to inform, engage and mobilize residents, civic leaders and public officials to generate and implement changes that build a state of Illinois in which all communities can prosper. The Better Government Association also publishes BGA Policy, which advocates for more transparent, accountable and equitable government through public policy reform. The newsroom staff and BGA Policy staff operate independently.
About the role
The Illinois Answers Project, a nonprofit award-winning news organization published by the Better Government Association, is seeking an investigative reporter with data skills.
Illinois Answers has four concentrated areas of coverage, including stories on equity and economic opportunity. The ideal candidate will show a track record of generating original, deeply reported stories in that area.
The candidate also will know Illinois public records laws and how to use FOIA requests to create data sets, and can assist other reporters with data brainstorming and analysis.
We are looking for a collaborative, enterprising journalist who wants to combine these data and technical skills with investigative and solutions storytelling.
Reporting to: Steve Warmbir, investigations editor
As a reporter for Illinois Answers, a successful candidate will:
- Pitch and execute original story ideas that fall within our key topic areas, with a focus on equity and economic opportunity.
- Be comfortable juggling multiple short, medium and long-term investigative and solutions stories both independently and as part of a team.
- Establish sources by spending time in Chicago neighborhoods across the city, with an emphasis on the South and West sides, which have traditionally been undercovered by local media.
- Have experience with or an openness to Solutions Journalism.
- Be a self-starter with excellent time-management and organizational skills.
- Have a collaborative mindset and an eagerness to partner both internally and externally.
- Have a strong grasp of key issues affecting communities across Illinois.
Candidate requirements:
- 7 years of reporting experience with demonstrated impact
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or other relevant discipline
- Data literacy and experience with Excel and/or Google Sheets
- Familiarity with Illinois public records laws
- Experience with version control or collaborating on data projects
- Familiarity or interest in SQL, R and/or Python
- Experience with making data more accessible for readers with graphics or interactives
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States
Location:
Illinois Answers is a hybrid newsroom (two to three in-office days per week) based in downtown Chicago.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000, contingent on experience and other job-related factors. The position includes medical and dental insurance; vision and transit benefits; a comprehensive paid time off package; and a 401(k) with an employer match. This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA.
How to Apply
Apply via our application form. Select “Investigative Reporter” from the drop-down menu.
We are looking for a talented, high-potential colleague who can contribute to the success of this enterprise. So please apply even if you don’t meet all the listed job requirements.
We also encourage applicants from traditionally underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. The Better Government Association is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness for all employees. We welcome the unique contributions you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
