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By DAVID BAUER
Chairman of the Illinois Press Association Board
The soul or franchise of a newspaper is the connection between the newspaper and its community. To maintain that connection, we need to give our communities something they can’t get anywhere else — local news. City council coverage, school board news, sports, obituaries; newspapers deliver these essential items in a format no one else can — families and friends can share the news over a cup of coffee or a cheeseburger (maybe a salad) at lunch.
Eighty percent of Americans read a print or digitally accessed newspaper at least once a month. Newspapers (print and digital) are relied upon more than any source for local news, according to an America’s Newspapers study in 2023.
Newspapers bring attention to local events through public notices. Meeting notices, meeting minutes, foreclosure notices, estate proceedings — all brought to readers by their local newspaper.
The Illinois Press Association amended its bylaws many years ago to emphasize this franchise with our communities. In addition to meeting the requirements of state law, applicants for membership must agree to honor that franchise:
In addition, all applicants must demonstrate, to the IPA Board of Directors’ satisfaction, a significant commitment to bona fide news content, including evidence of local news coverage.
As many of us struggle to meet budgets and feel compelled to reduce expenses or work with smaller staffs, it is crucial we not lose sight of the connection to our communities. To weaken that connection threatens to damage the crucial support communities offer to us in exchange.
The IPA wants to help you find ways to maintain those connections and to encourage the sharing of hidden assets that might be available.
We will be setting up a series of online sessions in the next few months we hope will be of assistance. They will put a focus on areas specifically geared toward editors’ and publishers’ concerns in these difficult times. Some will be roundtable-style talks; others will involve bringing in industry experts.
We welcome your thoughts on matters you would like to see addressed. We also welcome your ideas on ways you have been able to adapt to the ever-changing reality of newspapering today.
Please send your comments to Don Craven at dcraven@illinoispress.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2025 Contact Information: Ride Illinois Dave Simmons, executive director (630) 216-9282 dave@rideillinois.org
Illinois Bike & Walk Summit coming to Springfield
Creating Connected Livable Thriving communities: Illinois Bike & Walk Summit Fosters Learning and Lobbying Among Advocates and Practitioners
Ride Illinois and its partner organizations are pleased to announce the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. Three hundred advocates, professionals, and public officials will gather in Springfield (May 7-8, 2025) for an important conference to help shape the future of biking and walking across the state. The conference will take place over two days in Springfield. Day One - May 7 ● A welcome from Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher ● Breakout sessions with topics including: ○ Completing the Great American Rail Trail ○ Developing Low-Stress Bike Networks ○ Bike/walk legislation at the state and federal level: 2025 and beyond ● Keynote Speaker: Tom Flood ○ A bold and visionary advocate who uses striking design and messaging to challenge car-centric culture, and a champion spokesman of safer streets for all. ○ Flood's Presentation Topic: Reframing Road Safety. This presentation will highlight his work and its importance in challenging the narrative around active transportation and road safety.
Day Two - May 8 ● Lobby Day ● Workshops focused on: ○ Advocacy training ○ Trail development ○ Best practices for the planning, design, and incorporation of complete streets into transportation projects. ○ CM and PDH credits available. Dave Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, emphasized the new format of lobbying and advocacy: “It’s important that elected officials hear from their constituents. Lobby Day is an opportunity for Illinois residents to voice their concerns related to biking and walking in their community.” The legislative goals of Lobby Day include advocating for bills that will increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher shared, “I am honored to greet attendees to the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. I look forward to the summit and also look forward to making Springfield a more bike/walk friendly community.” With a strong foundation built on the educational and empowering sessions of day one, the day of lobbying will bring a buzz to Springfield with the hope of creating safer, more accessible active transportation options for all ages and backgrounds. The end goal being that active transportation becomes a viable and welcoming choice for everyone. Conference Details ● Illinois Bike & Walk Summit to convene in Springfield, May 7-8 with a focus on creating connected, livable, thriving communities. ● Highlights of the event include: ○ Keynote speaker Tom Flood ○ Inaugural lobby day ○ Breakout sessions ○ Workshops ○ Networking opportunities ● The 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit will take place at the Wyndham Springfield City Center, conveniently located in the heart of Illinois’ state capital. ● Registration for the conference starts at the affordable price of $20! ● For more information and to register for this event, visit IllinoisBikeWalkSummit.org.
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