Illinois Journalism Education Association

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Illinois Journalism Education Association

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

09/15/2026

IJEA is excited to announce our keynote speakers for the Fall Conferene! Max Blaisdell from the Invisible Institute and Farrah Anderson, a fellow at the New York Times, will speak to students about how their investigative work has brought about change. Don't forget to register for the conference by Oct. 5!

09/01/2026

The annual IJEA Yearbook Contest is open for submissions!
Make sure to renew your membership for the '26-'27 school year before submitting your book!
Entries must be mailed by Oct. 15th!
Mail to Regina Dominican High School, 701 Locust Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091

05/14/2026

Check out this FREE journalism professional development for journalism teachers and advisers!
Register here - https://conta.cc/4flJebS

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.

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

Address

Illinois Press Association
Springfield, IL
62703

Website

http://illinoisjea.org/

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