The August edition of Illinois Issues will be the last print version of the 40-year-old magazine.
The change comes about a year after the publication merged with WUIS-FM 91.9, with reporters from both outlets doing radio and magazine stories.
"This has been a difficult decision," Randy Eccles, general manager of the radio station and publisher of Illinois Issues, wrote on his Mission Control blog at wuis.org, the site of magazine and radio stories. He added that it is hardest on the staff, but they also "realize the reality of the media market."
"I still enjoy holding printed pages but find myself more frequently reading on my smartphone or laptop," Eccles said.
Declining circulation, costs associated with trying to increase print distribution, and uncertain state funding combined to push the decision to go all digital, Eccles said. He also said the good news is that some stories recently published online have been read by five times the number reached by the print magazine.
Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues executive editor, said that as of early this year, the magazine had just under 1,000 paid subscribers. The level was nearly 6,000 back in 1994.
Dunn noted that the magazine was started by U.S. Sen. Paul Simon and others who wanted to create a "nonpartisan, in-depth venue" so people could learn about Illinois.
She and others at the magazine are very sad about the end of the print edition, she said, but she added that the online experience so far has been very encouraging.
"We realize that the way that we're going to reach more of an audience and new people is online," Dunn said. "That's where people are getting their news."
State support for the magazine through the University of Illinois Springfield was $175,000 last fiscal year, Dunn said.
Eccles wrote that Illinois Issues might have faced a $120,000 deficit without the move to all digital.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on July 23, 2015.
Read the article online.
Showing posts with label Illinois Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois Issues. Show all posts
Friday, July 24, 2015
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
WUIS, Illinois Issues join together in new media age
The transition in how people get their news in the age of the Internet is playing out in Springfield, as two longtime institutions — Illinois Issues magazine and radio station WUIS — have merged operations.
RANDY ECCLES, who came to WUIS as its development director in 2008 and became general manager in 2013, is overseeing the operation as interim general manager and publisher. He said the station and magazine actually merged as of July 1, and cross-training continues.
Staff of the magazine have now moved into the same building at the University of Illinois campus that houses the radio station, which is part of NPR. Reporters who have been heard on the radio are becoming regular writers for the magazine, and traditionally print reporters have been learning digital editing and are doing radio stories as well.
Strategic planning for the future began under now-retired Illinois Issues editor DANA HEUPEL, who left the job in early 2014, and Eccles said that process led to the merger.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on December 24, 2014.
Read the article online
RANDY ECCLES, who came to WUIS as its development director in 2008 and became general manager in 2013, is overseeing the operation as interim general manager and publisher. He said the station and magazine actually merged as of July 1, and cross-training continues.
Staff of the magazine have now moved into the same building at the University of Illinois campus that houses the radio station, which is part of NPR. Reporters who have been heard on the radio are becoming regular writers for the magazine, and traditionally print reporters have been learning digital editing and are doing radio stories as well.
Strategic planning for the future began under now-retired Illinois Issues editor DANA HEUPEL, who left the job in early 2014, and Eccles said that process led to the merger.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on December 24, 2014.
Read the article online
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Internship hall of fame to induct five
Five people, including four Springfield residents, are being inducted into the Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame at a Nov. 7 reception at the Executive Mansion.
The honorees, all former interns, are David Kennedy, Bruce Kinnett, Michael Maibach, Catherine Shannon and Frank Straus.
Illinois Issues magazine is sponsor of the Hall of Fame, which is named for the late Sam Gove, a founder of the magazine and longtime director of the internship program, which began in 1961.
The Nov. 7 event at the Executive Mansion will begin at 5:15 p.m., with the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and reservations are required by Friday. Information is available at 206-6084, and tickets can be purchased online at http://illinoisissues.uis.edu.
The hall of fame was featured in an October 20, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Read the article online
The honorees, all former interns, are David Kennedy, Bruce Kinnett, Michael Maibach, Catherine Shannon and Frank Straus.
Illinois Issues magazine is sponsor of the Hall of Fame, which is named for the late Sam Gove, a founder of the magazine and longtime director of the internship program, which began in 1961.
The Nov. 7 event at the Executive Mansion will begin at 5:15 p.m., with the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and reservations are required by Friday. Information is available at 206-6084, and tickets can be purchased online at http://illinoisissues.uis.edu.
The hall of fame was featured in an October 20, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Read the article online
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sam Gove, fixture in Illinois politics, dies at 87
Samuel Gove, a longtime fixture in Illinois politics, has died after a short illness at an Urbana hospital. He was 87.
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, where he was director emeritus, says Gove died early Friday.
Gove directed the institute for many years and was a U of I political science professor. He founded Illinois Issues magazine and served on the magazine's advisory board for 28 years.
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar says Gove was one of his mentors. And Robert Rich, the current director of the institute, says Gove was "Mr. Illinois."
No visitation or funeral services are planned. A celebration of Gove's life will be planned for a later date.
Gove was remembered in a January 28, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, where he was director emeritus, says Gove died early Friday.
Gove directed the institute for many years and was a U of I political science professor. He founded Illinois Issues magazine and served on the magazine's advisory board for 28 years.
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar says Gove was one of his mentors. And Robert Rich, the current director of the institute, says Gove was "Mr. Illinois."
No visitation or funeral services are planned. A celebration of Gove's life will be planned for a later date.
Gove was remembered in a January 28, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Friday, March 19, 2010
Illinois Issues available at Paris library
Illinois Issues, an award winning public affairs magazine, is now available at the Paris Carnegie Public Library.
Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) has partnered with the magazine’s Issues for Citizens campaign to promote public policy information and education via the public library system. In addition to Paris, Eddy is providing subscriptions to libraries in Lawrenceville and Robinson.
Illinois Issues is a not-for-profit magazine published at the University of Illinois Springfield, as part of the Center for State Policy and Leadership. Executive editor Dana Heupel noted recent articles have explored redistricting, wind power as an energy source and an analysis of the state’s retirement system.
The magazine was featured in a March 16, 2010, edition of the Paris, IL Beacon News.
Download a PDF of the article:
20100316-PBN-Illinois-Issues-available.pdf
Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) has partnered with the magazine’s Issues for Citizens campaign to promote public policy information and education via the public library system. In addition to Paris, Eddy is providing subscriptions to libraries in Lawrenceville and Robinson.
Illinois Issues is a not-for-profit magazine published at the University of Illinois Springfield, as part of the Center for State Policy and Leadership. Executive editor Dana Heupel noted recent articles have explored redistricting, wind power as an energy source and an analysis of the state’s retirement system.
The magazine was featured in a March 16, 2010, edition of the Paris, IL Beacon News.
Download a PDF of the article:
20100316-PBN-Illinois-Issues-available.pdf
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Bernard Schoenburg: New job for Jaeger
Bethany Jaeger, who has been Statehouse bureau chief for Illinois Issues magazine since early 2006, is leaving that job to become a management consultant for Kerber, Eck & Braeckel in Springfield.
Jaeger, 29, of Chatham, is an Algonquin native who has a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield. She interned with Illinois Issues as part of her master’s program in 2004.
Jaeger's departure was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column in an October 22, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091022-SJR-Schoenburg-Jaeger.pdf
Jaeger, 29, of Chatham, is an Algonquin native who has a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield. She interned with Illinois Issues as part of her master’s program in 2004.
Jaeger's departure was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column in an October 22, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091022-SJR-Schoenburg-Jaeger.pdf
Monday, October 12, 2009
Illinois Issues magazine starts program with libraries
Illinois Issues, the not-for-profit public affairs magazine published at the University of Illinois Springfield, has started a new program in cooperation with state legislators to provide the magazine and other publications to public libraries.
“Issues for Citizens,” designed to promote public policy information and education through the public library system, began last month with 31 legislators providing Illinois Issues to 59 libraries across the state.
The program was featured in an October 12, 2009 story in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Illinois-Issues-magazi.pdf
“Issues for Citizens,” designed to promote public policy information and education through the public library system, began last month with 31 legislators providing Illinois Issues to 59 libraries across the state.
The program was featured in an October 12, 2009 story in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Illinois-Issues-magazi.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)