We’ll have several sessions throughout the day including a FOIA Tips and Tools workshop, a “Write Like You Talk” lesson, and our general business meeting. Though we will miss clinking our glasses in person, the convention wouldn’t be complete without a virtual happy hour (you don’t even have to tip the bartender!). We will also present our 2020 scholarship winners and SINBA award winners. This year, we’re ecstatic to present our largest scholarship checks in INBA history at $2,200 each. Scholarship finalists are being determined now and will be interviewed before four winners will be chosen. 

Whether you want to log in for a few minutes, an hour or two, or the whole day, INBA welcomes you! Stay tuned for a schedule of events. 

During our Spring Convention we usually have an awards ceremony for Illinois AP award winners. However, the AP Broadcasting Awards were discontinued. The good news is the INBA is launching its own contest: INBA Crystal Mic Awards. The INBA is excited to launch this prestigious celebration of the best broadcast journalists in Illinois. Our first awards will be presented at the INBA Fall Convention in Rockford. You can read more about the awards here. 

This convention is free for INBA members. Non-members can attend and become an INBA member for $25 through our virtual convention this spring. Our usual member dues are $35. 

You can register online now by clicking here.

MORE ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS 

Write Like You Talk! 

Award winning TV journalist Jeff Butera will lead this session. Butera has worked at ABC7 in Fort Meyers, FL. since 2012. He’s earned four Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and was named Best Reporter twice by the AP. Butera is known for being one of the authors of the latest edition of “Write Like You Talk”; a book to help broadcasters improve their writing. While he grew up in Florida, we’ll welcome him with open arms in Illinois since his station bio says he’s a Chicago Cubs fan! 

Like Butera’s book, this session is aimed at helping you finesse your writing and give you a chance to ask questions. 

FOIA Tips and Tools 

Jessica Huseman from Votebeat will lead this session. Votebeat is a non-profit newsroom covering voting rights, election administration, and redistricting. She is also an analyst for CNN and a former lead reporter for ProPublica’s Electionland project. Huseman will join us from Dallas, TX. to answer your FOIA questions and teach you new skills. In her LinkedIn bio she says, “I’m interested in boosting local journalism, making collaboration between newsrooms work and helping new reporters realize their potential.”