* And there weren’t many to start with. Bernie…
IVAN MORENO, 34, who has been supervisory correspondent with The Associated Press at the Statehouse for about a year, will become the AP’s supervisory correspondent in Milwaukee. […]
SETH PERLMAN, 61, has been an AP photographer in Springfield for more than 33 years, and was laid off Friday. Perlman said there is severance pay involved and he’s happy with his situation. He also turned in his equipment to the company and has no plans to freelance. He certainly has been around to help showcase a lot of history. He’s a Miami native, got a journalism degree at the University of Colorado, and worked places including the Denver Post before coming to Springfield. […]
And one of WCIA-TV’s Statehouse reporters, KELSEY GIBBS, 28, is leaving in January to become a general assignment reporter for KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City. She’s a Springfield High grad who got her master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield. Gibbs said it will be her first time living outside Illinois, so she expects to have “a little homesickness” with her family still here. But she said she’s excited about the “jump to a bigger market.” […]
Other Statehouse reporters who recently announced departures are AMANDA VINICKY, going from Illinois Public Radio to WTTW-TV in Chicago; MIKE RIOPELL, who had been in Springfield for the Daily Herald, based in Arlington Heights, and took a job in Chicago with the Tribune; and WCIA-TV’s ED CROSS, who is becoming spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources.
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:20 am:
No worries. The Rauner-funded IPI and Proft outlets will pick up the slack.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:25 am:
Vertical integration with Rauner will pick up the slack…
The think tank will get quoted in a newspaper, then cited in a radio show ton then be reported as “news” that will find its way into a mailer of Ad for TV or radio…
… and will be as honest, baseless, and non-partisan as the public will say it is.
Rauner is “winning” again.
Then again, lots and lots of reporters love the “Rauner V. Madigan” laziness versus covering what IS actually happening, so there’s that too…
It’s a shame. Six are gone, but so much more has been lost.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:28 am:
I hear there are openings for tracker positions. Job requirements include lack of moral compass, lack of anything better to do, and willing to sell your dignity for $15/hour. Fast track to promising career as paparazzo. Apply now!
- JoeMaddon - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:31 am:
**willing to sell your dignity for $15/hour**
For some reason I doubt they’re paying $15/hour.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:33 am:
JoeMaddon-
Maybe they should form a union!
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:35 am:
Was explaining to a new intern during veto session where the old press room was located and the fact it was full of ink stained reports who watched state government like a hawk.
Somewhere right now Shelby Vasconcelles is shaking is head and wondering what is going on.
- Tommydanger - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:37 am:
Things must really be bad when the reporters start leaving.
- jim - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:43 am:
this is a disaster for public accountability. people here who rail against the news media should be pleased
- Rogue Roni - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:52 am:
Don’t worry. I’m sure someone in Macedonia will fill us in
- PAR grad - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:03 am:
I thought Amanda Vinicky was staying at the Statehouse to be the WTTW correspondent there.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Six reporters gone, c’mon, cuz you know they’re countin backward to zero
(your anger is a gift)
- Leave a Light on George - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:07 am:
Is it just me. It sure seems a lot of ex reporters become spokes persons for DNR.
- Leave a Light on George - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:07 am:
Is it just me. It sure seems a lot of ex reporters become spokes persons for DNR.
- John Gregory (ex-IRN) - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:08 am:
As far as I know, IPI-funded outlets aren’t allowed in the House and Senate press boxes, and Proft’s papers haven’t asked for access.
If only there were reporters sitting out around with experience covering state government and politics….
- northernwatersports - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:10 am:
Ok. I’m looking for post retirement activity, fun, income and…..oh wait.
Is there a salary from any of this?
Ok. Where do I apply?
- Whatever - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:11 am:
Can we prepay a couple of years’ subscriptions to Capitol Fax before the price goes up when you have a total monopoly on reporting what’s going on in Illinois politics?
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:23 am:
Reporters come and go. That’s not the problem. The problem is that many of these vacancies aren’t being filled.
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:25 am:
–As far as I know, IPI-funded outlets aren’t allowed in the House and Senate press boxes, and Proft’s papers haven’t asked for access.–
LOL, so what? The only “access” they need is to the Rauner/Uiehlein/Griff gravy train. The “stories” write themselves.
- Jimmy H - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:35 am:
I first met Seth when he had just moved to Springfield. He’s an immensely talented photojournalist. He worked his patootie off for the AP.
- flippy - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:36 am:
That’s too bad about Seth. He’s a great shooter-
- Dee Lay - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:39 am:
The loss of Perlman stinks - he was the only AP photographer between Chicago and St. Louis.
AP continues to dwindle itself down to nothingness.
- Responsa - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 11:56 am:
==AP continues to dwindle itself down to nothingness.==
AP HAS dwindled itself down to nothingness. When you see an AP byline in front of an article in a newspaper or webpage you can almost be assured that you will get the very minimum in news reporting.
- Annonin' - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 1:03 pm:
Speakin’ of BigBrain …just noticed a tweet declarin’ the need for term limits “now”. Wonder if he realizes the current measure cannot kick in til 2028?
- Sorry to Hear - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
More readers for Capitol Fax!
When I returned to Illinois after college, I was shocked at how little news coverage there was of the activities of the Illlinois General Assembly. I must add that this was before the daily newspapers and news bureaus started making cuts. I remember when Hugh Hill used to be sent down on assignment to cover the end of the legislative sessions and Bruce Dumont had much greater air time for “Illinois Lawmakers.”
In the other places where I attended school, the state legislature was a big deal (it probably also helped that in one state, the capital was also the largest and most important city).
I think that every Chicagoan can name their alderman, but damned few know their representative and state senator.
- In a Minute - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
Meh. This is a trend in journalism generally. Certainly not anything Rauner caused as some commenters suggest.
There is already great reporting on Illinois done in the reports of bond ratings agencies and most habitués of this page seem more than happy to remain blissfully unaware or deliberately uninformed about the consequences of failing to take action on meaningful structural reform of state finances.
- Keepin' Track - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
Is there news coming out of the General Assembly?
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 6:55 pm:
–There is already great reporting on Illinois done in the reports of bond ratings agencies and most habitués of this page seem more than happy to remain blissfully unaware or deliberately uninformed about the consequences of failing to take action on meaningful structural reform of state finances.–
What “meaningful structural reform of state finances” are you referring to?
Those words actually are meant to communicate some specific ideas, when strung together like that. They’re not just something you serve up with Baco-Bits and Blue Cheese on the side.
- stateandlake - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 7:13 pm:
Funny, I haven’t gotten a copy of Proft’s Lake County Gazette since the election. How will I keep up? /s
- peon - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 9:59 pm:
We need reporters in Springfield. It is a disgrace how few regional papers have reporters there - if not, they should run this site’s column.
- MAMA - Monday, Dec 12, 16 @ 10:17 pm:
Amanda Vinicky will be missed.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 7:54 am:
You go Amanda…hard work has paid off…
I remember seeing you and her paling around town when I was in Springfield…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 10:46 am:
Between IPG, Proft, and the Governor’s Facebook chats the public is now fed unfiltered unchallenged propaganda.