Experience
Illinois Legislative Reporter
The Daily Line
Dec. 2024 - Present
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Reports daily and long-form stories on Illinois state government and policy, including impacts from federal policies and court decisions.
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Interviews lawmakers, advocates and community members on legislation and its impacts, focusing on education, environment and housing policy.
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Edits content from freelancers for clarity, grammar and alignment with style.
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Researches and analyzes policy issues
Digital Content Director
Peoria Public Radio
June 2023 - Dec. 2024
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Managed digital accounts, including the website, four social media accounts and newsletters. Grew overall digital engagement by 64% in first year.
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Edited web articles from staff and freelance reporters, including breaking news and long-form features, for grammar, AP style and internal style.
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Reported daily and long-form stories for radio, podcasts and digital platforms.
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Assisted with planing and executing fundraising campaigns.
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Tracked digital engagement metrics on website, newsletters and social media.
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Managed projects including:
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A grant funded expansion of coverage into two news deserts in the Peoria-area. Took part in training sessions with the Google News Initiative and the Institute for Nonprofit News and assisted with writing the grant application. Oversaw the digital communications strategy for the project, including the creation of two newsletters, a digital ad campaign and social media strategy.
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A voter engagement campaign for 2024 election cycle. Planned and oversaw coverage, created voter guides and moderated a debate between candidates for the Illinois Senate.
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A partnership between WCBU and Harvest Public Media and the addition of WCBU on Apple News, both projects contributed thousands of unique web views. Hosted meetings with relevant parties, led training sessions on the platform expansions and created digital strategy to promote the partnerships.
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Statehouse Reporting Intern
Chicago Public Media
Jan. 2023 - June 2023
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Covered legislative action on education, climate and criminal justice.
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Produced daily scripts and audio pieces for newscasts.
Editorial Assistant
Health News Illinois
Sept. 2022 - Dec. 2022
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Reported and edited daily and long-form features on the Illinois and Wisconsin healthcare industries, including health policy in the Illinois and Wisconsin state legislatures.
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Managed social media accounts on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
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Assisted with the production of newsletters using Constant Contact.
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Assisted with in-person and virtual events.
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Created promotional graphics and day-of materials for events and social media using Canva.
Freelance Reporter and Editor
SheBuysTravel
May. 2022 - Nov. 2022
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Edited content from reporters for grammar, style and SEO.
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Wrote articles on travel destinations, hotels and events.
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Assisted in managing websites using WordPress.
Co-Editor-in-Chief
The Columbia Chronicle
Jan. 2021 - May 2022
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Led a 30-person staff, overseeing print and web production of articles, photography, graphics, podcasts and videos.
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Reported on college financials, union negotiations, environmental issues and an award-winning investigation on a professor accused of sexual assault.
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Edited articles from reporters for grammar, style and clarity.
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Planned and led training sessions for new employees, including creating presentations, leading group sessions and coordinating with guest speakers.
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Wrote and edited daily newsletter.
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Led staff to a record-breaking number of nominations.
Education
University of Illinois in Springfield
Graduated with a Master's of Art from the Public Affairs Reporting program, focusing on Illinois state government.
Relevant courses: Developing Public Policy, Government and Administrative Law, Political Communication, and Advanced Public Affairs Reporting.
Columbia College Chicago
Graduated with a Bachelor's of Art, majoring in journalism. Worked as the co-editor-in-chief of The Columbia Chronicle.
Relevant courses: Media Law and Ethics, International Reporting, Investigative Journalism, and Opinions Writing.
Certificates
Remote Pilots Certification
Part 107 remote pilot certified through the Federal Aviation Administration. Experience taking photos and videos with drones.
Speaking
Spring Session Showdown: What's next for Illinois?
May 2025
Served as a panelist, answering questions from moderators and the audience on the 2025 legislative session. Discussed federal lawsuits, energy and public transit policy and the 2026 midterm election.
Illinois 46th Senate District Debate
Oct. 2024
Served as a moderator for a debate between candidates, asking questions about policies, the current political climate and candidate backgrounds.
The Election is Over. Now What?
Nov. 2022
Served as a moderator for the panel hosted by the University of Illinois Springfield. Formulated and asked questions of the panelists.
