FOIA Fest 2026 Speaker Bios

February 13, 2026 Marissa Nelson 0

The Chicago Headline Club is thrilled to share the lineup of speakers for FOIA Fest 2026. This is a list of speakers who have shared their biographies ahead of time. Review ahead of the conference to prepare. Find the full program here and get your ticket here. Jeff Arnold, National […]

2026 FOIA Fest Boot Camp Application – Chicago Headline Club and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity

January 25, 2026 Marissa Nelson 0

The Chicago Headline Club and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity are accepting applications for the 2026 FOIA Fest Boot Camp, a four-month training and mentorship program for Chicago-based reporters. We seek diverse, talented early career applicants committed to equity-focused journalism who want guidance in accountability reporting.  Applicants must […]

FOIA Fest returns on Saturday, March 21, tickets on sale now

January 9, 2026 Marissa Nelson 0

On Saturday, March 21, FOIA Fest will equip journalists with the practical skills, tips and strategy necessary to successfully leverage the Freedom of Information Act and other investigative tactics in their reporting.The annual public records conference will include pressing conversations about the legal challenges and limitations to information that newsrooms […]

FOIA Fest 2025 tickets now on sale

January 22, 2025 Marissa Nelson 0

Accountability reporting is a critical function of journalism — particularly as Chicago governmental bodies are less cooperative and as the Trump Administration, which has proven to be hostile towards the press, begins its second term.  On Saturday, March 22, FOIA Fest will explore what a second stint in the White […]

FOIAfest 2024: Full Program Announcement

March 6, 2024 Marissa Nelson 0

Our annual public records conference, FOIA Fest, is returning as a one-day in person event on Saturday, March 16 at Loyola University Chicago’s downtown campus. Below is the full program for FOIA Fest. If you don’t have tickets, you can still purchase them. Scroll to the bottom of the program […]

Announcing the 2024 FOIAfest Boot Camp Cohort

March 5, 2024 Alejandra Cancino 0

The Chicago Headline Club, the largest SPJ chapter, is proud to announce its 2023 FOIAfest Boot Camp cohort. The FOIAfest Boot Camp is a training program for Chicago-based reporters from marginalized communities to help them navigate accountability journalism — from story-idea to publishing. The journalists will receive specialized training sessions […]

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Court ruling lifts injunction blocking police records

July 12, 2016 admin 0

The Better Government Association (bettergov.org) scored a major victory when The Illinois Appellate Court lifted an injunction blocking the release of alleged police misconduct records. In a release, the BGA said “…The BGA is pleased with the outcome and hails the ruling by the Illinois Appellate Court as a victory […]