Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

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* The Community Media Workshop’s rating of Chicago news sites is now out. Here’s how they established rankings for “news quality”…

* Website covers a range of topics or geographic areas within its area of focus.
* Website’s coverage is thorough.
* Website coverage attempts to reach and cover multiple points of view in storytelling, especially those whose viewpoints are not necessarily heard from.
* News writing is strong and engaging (not scored for aggregators).
* Aggregation practices are fair (with clear links to sources and not excessive reuse of content) (for aggregators only).
* The source of aggregated content is clear and understood (for aggregators only).
* Website is well designed and takes advantage of all the tools of online/multimedia to tell stories.

* On a scale of 1 to 5, here’s how the CMW scored CapitolFax.com…

News quality: 4.7

I took a look through all their categories, and discovered that this site’s rating was the second highest for all websites examined, including the Tribune, Sun-Times, Crain’s, etc. Only the Chicago Reporter scored higher, at 4.8

* From our rating…

This is the “authoritative” news blog on Illinois politics by journalist Rich Miller. Reviewers praised the writing for its conversational quality and for inviting comments. Miller engages with readers on the website and on Twitter, and he also uses his personal Facebook page to promote CapitolFax and interact with readers.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:35 am

Comments

Congratulations, Rich. Very deserved. and thanks for making this a great home to comment on all things, political, government, the economy, and top choice, the White Sox.

Comment by amalia Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:38 am
However Mr. Miller lost some points for community engagement since “bite me” while a worthwhile suggestion on many occasions, was not determined to be by the reviewers to be engagement.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:44 am
Congrats to the Cap Fax, as well as the Chicago Reporter and also Catalyst Chicago, which I’ve found extremely useful as I keep up with the CTU strike.

Comment by Yossarian Lives Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:48 am
The reviewers were, apparently, Madigan shills. LOL

Congratulations, Rich. You effort is clearly visible to the reads of this blog.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:49 am
Very Nice Rich!! Finally some respect!

Comment by ah HA Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:50 am
Thank God they didnt rate based on wardrobe!!LOL
Bite Me>>

Comment by PQ's Primary Opponent Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:53 am
Congrats Rich,

Comment by frustrated GOP Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:53 am
Of course, the “new” capitol fax received a 1.1 on the 5 point scale.

Comment by John A Logan Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:54 am
===Thank God they didnt rate based on wardrobe!!L===

I was given a makeover this summer by a good friend, so maybe they should’ve.

Honestly.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 11:55 am
You do deserve a lot of props for being a real entrepreneur and innovative when it comes to political blogging and reporting. I don’t always agree with the premise you sometimes use, but you unapologetically admit it is your blog, and the rest of the world can “bite you.” Good for you.

Comment by Just saying... Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:01 pm
4.7 for News Quality
1.2 for Harness Racing
0.5 for Golf Cart Driving

Comment by WazUp Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:03 pm
Rich,

your ranking was well deserved.

I (almost) always find the discussions here enlightening, even if a lot of the commentators tend to be on the liberal side of the line.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:03 pm
Well deserved! Congratulations! Don’t let up!

Comment by Sunshine Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:05 pm
Congratulations! And, unlike some politicians when you do polls, you didn’t ask us to go rush to CMW to say nice things about you.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:09 pm
In addition to the content, I’ve always respected the higher standards for commentary.

There are some loony-tunes out there commenting in even national publications, making their “comments” sections worthless for any kind of debate.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:10 pm
Nice!!!

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:11 pm
congrats, rich. you work hard to put out a good product, which is appreciated by a pretty darn knowledgeable clientele.

Comment by langhorne Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:13 pm
Well done Rich!!

What the report does Not say … The Soviet Judge gave you a 1.7, but gave 1989 Pravda a 5.0, so ….

Congratulations!

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:15 pm
the study was paid for by the macarthur foundation which also doles out those genius grants that bring with them a $500k prize. Next time tell them they can have the survey results but you’ll take the genius grant and the money.

Comment by Shore Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:18 pm
Unless the “makeover” involved cosmetic surgery????

Comment by PQ's Primary Opponent Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:25 pm
Thumbs up. Richly (haha) deserved.

Comment by Ray del Camino Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:29 pm
You are certainly the best source for state news. Your readers are incredibly lucky! Now on to more promotion of the site, so the whole state can know what’s going on.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:41 pm
Keep up the good work Rich. Dad

Comment by Rich Miller Sr Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Way to go son number 1. We continue to be very proud of your work!

Comment by Rich's Mom Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Sounds like another excuse for a fancy, downtown bash! Or a rate hike? Or both!
This is nearly as good as winning the Golden Horseshoe

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 12:57 pm
They’re almost right. You are the best.

Comment by walkinfool Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 2:08 pm
I do like what you do. Your emphasis on state of IL issues and the commentariot you’ve attracted. Unlike say Trib commentors, yours don’t make me worry about their blood pressure, or sanity, or safety around sharp objects.

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 2:19 pm
Rich, my sister teaches journalism at the college level and uses CapitolFax as the gold standard for state politics. She even points out that the “fax” portion makes you a blogger before blogging was even a thing, only you use actual journalistic standards (as opposed to most bloggers).

Everyone who asks me what they can do to know more about what’s going on gets referred to here eventually. It takes a while to get up to speed, but once you know the difference between the Bradys, CF will keep you cruising along.

Comment by Colossus Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 2:22 pm
How does it feel being called a “journalist?” (:

Comment by Barton Lorimor Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 2:45 pm
Ok, so now the truth comes out. Now we know why Pat Quinn wants to use “social media”.

Quinn’s thinking that if some guy with a beard (who can’t drive a golf cart!) can make social media a success, why can’t I?

Wait for it: “Thoughts From Betsy” by Pat Quinn.

Rich, see what you have done?

Seriously, not at all surprised about the ratings. There’s a lot of information put out here. May or may not agree about the differing political viewpoints, but useful information is often presented. Something often missing on these other blogs.

Nice work.

Comment by Judgment Day Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 2:55 pm
=…since “bite me” while a worthwhile suggestion on many occasions, was not determined to be by the reviewers to be engagement….=

*whispering*

OneMan, I think that’s the “authoritative” part.

Congrats, Rich!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 3:10 pm
Congratulations Rich!

As a relative newcomer to your site, I have quickly come to appreciate your ability to analyze and parse Illinois politics. You are my first source for any news regarding Illinois government.

Thank you.

Comment by KurtInSpringfield Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 3:23 pm
Congratulations Rich. Although I didn’t need the rating to know that you do a good job, it’s nice to see you get some recognition.

Comment by Crime Fighter Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 3:31 pm
This blog’s strength is its owner’s firm (dare I say vociferous) focus on state and local issues. The minute the door opens even a crack to national politics both the comments and commenters seem to immediately revert to silly talking points. Please keep the attention and headlights riveted on our state, Rich, so we’ll all have a successful and unique place to chat for a long time to come.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 4:47 pm
Ahhhh…there goes Responsa again with those sweet compliments that Responsa is well known for…and for severely underestimating those nearby.

From what I recall, what few, brief discussions Rich has entertained here re: national politics (like the Guantanamo issue) went as well as the discussions regarding state politics and government. And, if Rich were ever to expand his scope, I’m sure everyone would support him by continuing to do their best, as we do on the state issues.

My tea leaves tell me that either way, neither Rich nor his readers (both here AND across the nation) have to worry about not having a “successful and unique place to chat for a long time to come.”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 14, 12 @ 7:12 pm