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
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
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:
It's time to nominate YOUR All-State Journalist! Deadline is Sunday,March 30. Details here: https://conta.cc/41XeNAz
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
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
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
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
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
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.
IJEA's longest-serving president, Sarah Doerner of Du Quoin, died Friday. More information here: https://conta.cc/41gcKce
Thinking about applying for Illinois Journalist of the Year? Our October newsletter has advice from those who know. https://conta.cc/3YwkJjr