Community Reporter Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Do you believe that a well-informed community is a stronger community? 

Do you have a passion for uncovering your community's most meaningful  stories? Do you believe that local news is the glue that holds a neighborhood together? Have you seen when a single impactful story can foster a stronger local connection?

At Village Media Ltd., we don't just report the news, we maintain the digital town square. We believe that rigorous, independent, and nonpartisan journalism is the bedrock of a healthy democracy and a critical community service. We seek five versatile, high-energy Reporters to serve in each of these Illinois communities: Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Peoria, and Springfield.

The Voice of the Community

You won't just be filing stories; you'll be capturing the authentic local narrative through compelling writing, timely reporting and engaging digital content. We're looking for a Reporter who knows their community better than anyone else. This is a local role where you're immersed in the local scene-cultivating sources and listening to what actually affects your neighbors' lives. You'll work with your Editor to ensure our site is the most trusted voice for the stories that connect, inform and strengthen the community you call home.

What You Will Do:

• Local coverage - Report a dynamic mix of breaking news, deep-dive features, and high-impact stories that accurately reflect the civics, cultural and economic life of the community. 

• Community trust - Uphold the highest standards of factual accuracy, thorough verification, and nonpartisan reporting in every story you pursue. 

• Local interests - Pitch and pursue stories that matter most to our readers, using digital metrics and community feedback to guide your beats. 

• CARES Initiatives - Collaborate with our Community Coordinator to identify and cover CARES initiatives and Community Conversations that drive local impact. 

What You Bring to the Table:

• Relentless curiosity.

• A commitment to fairness, accuracy and journalistic integrity.

• Strong news-gathering and writing skills, with the ability to complement your stories with photography.

• The ability to thrive in a hyper-local news environment, working comfortably on tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.

• The ability to constructively listen so that community feedback turns into solutions-oriented reporting that addresses the real-world concerns of the people living there.

• A valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle. Since you will cover every corner of your municipality, your vehicle is your office and the community is your newsroom.

Compensation and Logistics

• Work Arrangement: Remote/Work-from-Home, with a strict requirement of residing within your designated community. Open to non-resident candidates willing to relocate to the designated community.

• Compensation: $50,000 USD per annum. 

• Hours: Generally, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Because this role is deeply rooted in the community, some evening and weekend flexibility is required to cover the town halls, local events, and breaking stories that matter most to our readers. 

To Apply: Tell Us Your Story

At Village, we are people with heart, grit, and deep roots in the communities we serve. Because our mission is entirely focused on genuine human connection, trust, and local vitality, we do things authentically.

We promise that no artificial intelligence (AI), automated keyword matching, or large language models (LLMs) are used in our resume and cover-letter selection process.

We  honor your uniqueness  and believe your real-world experiences shape your character. Every application is  evaluated by actual human beings who care deeply about the communities we serve, including our future colleagues.

If you are ready to tell the story of your community, please submit your application with the subject line: Reporter - Bloomington-Normal.

What to Include:

Your Resume; 2-page limit: Walk us through your journalistic journey. Highlight your achievements in community beat reporting, public service journalism, and impactful storytelling. Show us your ability to build trust on the ground, manage tight newsroom deadlines, and deliver high-impact coverage that serves the public interest. 

Your Story (In Lieu of a Traditional Cover Letter); 2-page limit: Tell us who you are beyond a list of bullet points. We want to read a story you are truly proud of. In your submission, please consider the following: 

• What makes you proud to live in your community?

• Tell us about a local business or non-profit you love, and the story behind why they matter.

• Share a meaningful moment-whether you were making a tangible impact locally, or witnessing a community leader you admire.

About Village Media

Village Media is a leading digital media company dedicated to strengthening local communities through trusted journalism, technology, and civic engagement. Headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Village Media operates a growing network of local news publications and community platforms across Canada and the United States.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status. We are committed to providing a working environment that honors the unique backgrounds and perspectives of every team member.