Illinois Journalism Education Association

Illinois Journalism Education Association We are the Illinois Journalism Education Association. Our mission is to promote excellence in the teaching and practice of scholastic journalism.

IJEA, founded in 1988, is recognized as the state organization in Illinois that serves to assist scholastic journalism teachers and media advisers in promoting high standards in scholastic media and to elevate the status of scholastic media programs in secondary schools across the state. IJEA serves as the umbrella organization for the Illinois secondary school regional groups, EIHSPA, KEMPA, ISHS

PA, NISPA, SPAC and SISPA. It also works in conjunction with the Illinois Press Foundation (IPF) to promote scholastic media programs.

Applications for the Illinois Journalist of the Year are due February 15th at midnight. Advisers please encourage your b...
01/15/2026

Applications for the Illinois Journalist of the Year are due February 15th at midnight. Advisers please encourage your best editors and reporters to enter to win IJEA's top award. The IJOY winner will represent Illinois in the national Journalist of the Year contest hosted by JEA. They will also receive a $300 prize.

We are saddened to announce the passing of one of IJEA’s founding members, Randy Swikle. Swikle was IJEA’s first preside...
01/13/2026

We are saddened to announce the passing of one of IJEA’s founding members, Randy Swikle. Swikle was IJEA’s first president serving from 1988 to 1991 and then again from 2000 to 2001.

Swikle taught and advised at Johnsburg High School in Johnsburg, Illinois for 34 years. In addition to teaching and advising, Swikle also worked as a professional journalist, starting at the young age of 11. With a passion for news and the First Amendment, Swikle influenced countless student journalists and advisers through his advocacy and mentorship.
Read more about Swikle and how his colleagues remember him https://conta.cc/4quTSzR

05/12/2025

Deadline is Friday, May 16, for applying for grants of up to $1,500 from Illinois Press Foundation and Illinois Farm Bureau to support high school journalism technology and other projects. Full details and application information are here:

03/25/2025

It's time to nominate YOUR All-State Journalist! Deadline is Sunday,March 30. Details here: https://conta.cc/41XeNAz

03/17/2025

Teachers and advisers: It's time to nominate your "most valuable" journalists for IJEA's All-State Journalism team. Deadline is Sunday, March 30. Details here: https://conta.cc/4iRnB1V

03/13/2025

Newspaper and Digital News Media contest entries are due at 10:59 p.m. Saturday, March 15, just a few days away. Everything you need to submit entries is here: https://conta.cc/3x5YCoS
Still have questions? Here are some answers: https://conta.cc/4bOC104

03/11/2025

That deadline is getting CLOSER ..... entries for the Newspaper and Digital News Media contest are due at 10:59 p.m. Saturday, March 15, just a few days away. Everything you need to submit entries is here: https://conta.cc/3x5YCoS

03/09/2025

Don't miss the Newspaper and Digital News Media contest deadline -- it's at 10:59 p.m. Saturday, March 15 -- less than a week away. Everything you need to submit entries is here: https://conta.cc/3x5YCoS

02/07/2025

Don't forget! Saturday 2/15 is the deadline for submitting portfolios for the Illinois Journalist of the Year competition. Read that and other news at https://conta.cc/4hNVEYh

01/13/2025

Planning to apply for Illinois Journalist of the Year? Get details and the application form here: https://conta.cc/3vOcIdU Deadline is Saturday Feb. 15.

12/02/2024

IJEA's longest-serving president, Sarah Doerner of Du Quoin, died Friday. More information here: https://conta.cc/41gcKce

10/25/2024

Thinking about applying for Illinois Journalist of the Year? Our October newsletter has advice from those who know. https://conta.cc/3YwkJjr

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Illinois Press Association
Springfield, IL
62703

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