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Opening Doors
Every public official we asked to join us, did so. We filled the room. We batted questions and answers back and forth about the state of freedom of information for journalists. Tough questions especially.
Most important of all, we reminded each other that this needs to be the first step…

Eavesdropping law shot down

Illinois’ eavesdropping law has increasingly drawn journalists’ complaints because of the potential for shutting down reporting on public events. Now a Crawford County judge has handed down a decision that declares the law unconstitutional. 
Protecting reporters’ rights to cover the news is a mandate for the Chicago Headline Club,…

The Chicago Headline Club takes issue with a judge’s ruling that Northwestern University journalism students are not covered by the Illinois Reporter’s Privilege Act in their investigation of a murder conviction.Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Cannon ruled that Northwestern must turn over to the State’s Attorney’s office about 500…

 

Please Join Us Sept. 17
You know what happens when reporters can’t get information they need. Their stories are incomplete, delayed or worse yet, they die. That is one of the reasons the Chicago Headline Club undertook a sweeping survey of the…

SPJ supports Chicago Tribune in freedom of information case
 
INDIANAPOLIS–The Society of Professional Journalists has joined an amicus brief challenging the University of Illinois Board of Trustees’ attempt to conceal records involving preferential treatment of well-connected applicants to the state university system.
 The brief was filed Friday in support of the Chicago Tribune Company…

Folks,
At the end of September, the Society of Professional Journalists is holding its annual convention in New Orleans, and your delegates will be voting on some important issues.
They will also be holding elections for national and regional positions.
And so, we need you to tell us what you think. That way…

The City of Chicago and the State of Illinois have released hundreds of public datasets online where visitors can view, search and even download the datasets for closer inspection. 
The City of Chicago data portal features more than 250 datasets including crime incidents, employee salaries, city contracts awarded, and logs of Freedom…

DEDICATED COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
AND PULITZER PRIZE NOMINEE

Lily Pagratis Venson, 86, a longtime community advocate and lifetime Chicago resident, has passed away on June 27.  She was an award-winning journalist and feature writer for the Lerner newspapers for over ten years.  She was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for more than…

Mark your calendar:CHCF’s annual picnic-party

Do you remember the journalist who coined the phrase “Eyewitness News”? Or the professor who urged you to shout, “I am great” when you stood up in his class?  
Remember our good friend? 
To honor Les, his friends will gather once again this summer at the home he…

Public Access Survey Documents
Our public access survey and other key documents are available here for download: 

Download the executive summary.

Download the full 61-page public access survey report.
Download a snapshot of our results.
Read the Chicago Headline Club’s press release.
Read anecdotes from real Chicago…