Springfield Bureau Reporter

About the Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times is the hardest-working paper in America, covering the stories and issues that matter most to Chicagoans with depth, integrity, and grit. The newsroom has earned eight Pulitzer Prizes for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, insightful sports analysis, entertainment reviews, and cultural commentary. An industry-leading innovator in local news, it has been recognized nationally for expanding digital and multimedia reporting platforms alongside its indomitable daily newspaper, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023.

In January 2022, the Sun-Times merged with public radio station WBEZ with a shared mission to strengthen local journalism in Chicago. Under the banner of Chicago Public Media, Chicago Sun-Times Media, Inc. (CSTM) is now part of one of the largest nonprofit news organizations in the nation. This merger reinforces our commitment to serving Chicagoans with the news that matters most -– fact-based, unbiased journalism that is deeply connected to Chicago communities.

The Opportunity

Chicago Public Media, home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, is looking for a versatile, experienced reporter to cover the Illinois Legislature. They will serve both the local WBEZ and Sun-Times audience, as well as provide daily news and enterprise feature work for the nine NPR member stations across Illinois as part of Illinois Public Radio.

The reporter will be based in Springfield, working from the Capitol, but will occasionally spend time reporting from Chicago and collaborating with other reporters. We’re looking for a curious, aggressive and skillful writer who is equally adept at both quick turn breaking news articles and spots, and developing in-depth features.

This team player is responsible for reporting at a pace that serves the daily habits of a loyal and engaged broadcast audience and communicates with members of their CPM team and the stations across Illinois. This reporter will also be expected to provide special coverage to statewide stations, when applicable.

The ideal candidate is a resourceful journalist who can spot trends and make sharp connections with seemingly straightforward news stories, providing insight that gives our audience the context they need to have a deeper understanding of the news. We are looking for a reporter who has a keen eye for reporting that is distinctive from the competition and has a good nose for scoops.

Qualifications

• Understanding of state and local government

• Ability to write and produce stories at a daily pace with skill, accuracy and insight

• Ability to handle breaking news under deadline pressure while balancing enterprise stories

• Demonstrated passion for news and a delight in unearthing scoops, advancing stories, or identifying creative angles when covering key stories in Chicago’s and Illinois’ daily news cycle

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with editors, producers and reporters across the newsroom in service of shared excellence

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues, both at Chicago Public Media and across the Illinois Public Radio system, and sources.

• Strong audio and digital skills

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with an editor and other colleagues at WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times to research, pitch, conceptualize, report and produce stories of the highest caliber and resonance

• Report, write and produce stories for broadcast and digital platforms, including daily news items, feature stories, projects, podcasts, on-air discussions and live events

• Generate story and project ideas for multiple platforms, broadcast and digital

• Participate in special projects and perform other station duties as necessary

• Work collaboratively with editorial colleagues throughout the organization– in the service of impact, efficiency, and ultimately, service of our audience and mission

• Develop big-picture approaches to covering issues and ideas, while also executing the many small tasks involved in reporting

• Represent Chicago Public Media to internal and external audiences, including staff and board meetings, public events, etc.

Additional Requirement

• In your cover letter, please include links to on-air work.

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $61,200 to $67,500 per ANNUM.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.

Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.