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By Justin Conn
The Pantagraph
I'm a simple person when it comes to what I like to read and watch: Make me laugh. Make me cry. Make me feel something.
That was my goal during 20 years as a reporter, and it has remained my goal through eight years as an editor.
Now, I bring that philosophy to my new role as Central Illinois executive editor, leading the newsrooms of The Pantagraph in Bloomington, the Herald & Review in Decatur and the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier in Mattoon and Charleston.
Details, explanation and analysis are vital; accuracy and fairness are nonnegotiable. But emotion is what helps a story connect with readers and what makes it stay with them.
That doesn't mean every story should make someone laugh or cry. A city budget, school board decision or change in state law might not sound emotional on its face. But those decisions affect real people, their families and their futures. Good journalism explains the decision and examines its consequences.
But good journalism also introduces readers to the people who will feel its impact. We find those people in school hallways, courthouses, neighborhood meetings and conversations across a kitchen table. They're on factory floors and family farms, inside small businesses and packed gyms. That's where our journalists are.
Sometimes we expose a problem. Sometimes we introduce you to a remarkable person. Sometimes we preserve an important moment in a community's history. And sometimes we write things that are simply fun and interesting to read.
I've been a journalist since 1998 and came to Central Illinois in October 2007 as a sports reporter for the Herald & Review. I spent many years covering local athletes and teams before moving to news for a little more than two years. I returned to sports as the H&R's sports editor in 2018, became sports editor for our Central Illinois properties in April 2020 and added oversight of our Quad-Cities sports coverage in 2024.
I became a sports reporter because I liked sports. But I quickly found that what readers responded to were stories about people — athletes, coaches, fans, statisticians, chain crew members, team moms, boosters and scorekeepers. Everyone has a story. I've always been honored to be trusted to tell those stories, and I take that honor seriously.
When I became a news reporter, I thought it would be a huge adjustment. Instead, I discovered that the heart of the job was the same: telling stories and keeping a finger on the pulse of what the community cares about.
Readers deserve reporting that is useful and consequential. They deserve to know how decisions made by local governments, schools and other public institutions affect their lives. They deserve journalism that examines how their tax dollars are spent, explains complicated issues in plain language and holds public officials accountable.
But a news organization also should reflect the personality of the community it covers.
I've lived in Central Illinois for nearly 19 years, raising my family in Decatur — both of my kids are MacArthur graduates. My wife and I are excited to move to Bloomington-Normal, where my son is a freshman at Illinois State. It's an area we've spent a lot of time in and have always admired. I look forward to getting to know the community better.
Our mission is telling stories about the people who make Central Illinois distinctive. It means recognizing achievement and exploring our history and traditions, but. also finding the unexpected and introducing readers to people beyond their usual circles.
We can't decide entirely from inside a newsroom what our readers should care about. We have to listen to longtime subscribers and new readers, to community leaders and to people whose voices too often go unheard.
I won't have every answer as I begin this job, and readers will not agree with every decision we make. What you should expect is that those decisions will be made thoughtfully, that our reporting will strive to be fair and accurate, and that we will remain open to questions, criticism and story ideas.
None of this work depends on one editor. I've worked with many of our reporters, photographers and editors across Central Illinois for years, and I know firsthand the talent and dedication they bring to Bloomington-Normal, Decatur and Mattoon-Charleston.
If we do our jobs well, our stories will sometimes make you angry. Sometimes they will make you proud. And occasionally, we might make you laugh or cry.
Whatever the reaction, we want to make you feel something.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourages communities to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week Oct. 18-24, 2026, and Principal Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 23, to highlight the dedication of principals, assistant principals, and deans. This annual recognition has been recognized by Illinois governors since 1990. October is also National Principals Month, supported by the IPA, the National Principals Association (NPA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA). Brian Faulkner, IPA president and principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School (Sugar Grove), shared: "During Principal Appreciation Week, we celebrate the dedicated school leaders across Illinois who work tirelessly to create schools where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Principals are lead learners, culture builders, advocates, and champions for both students and staff. We are grateful for the passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment they bring to their schools and learning communities each and every day." “This year, we celebrate our state’s school leaders for what they do – unlocking the potential of those they serve,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA executive director. “These courageous individuals lead their learning organizations with optimism, humility, vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to do what is best for their students. Both research and common sense tell us how critical these servants are to positively influence young people, teachers, and communities. For this, they deserve our respect and gratitude.” IPA invites teachers, students, parents, and community members to show appreciation for school leaders on Friday, Oct. 23.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) will host its 55th Education Leaders Annual Conference, “Unlocking Potential,” from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 in Peoria. The event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help school leaders enhance their impact on schools and communities. 2026-2027 IPA President Brian Faulkner shared, “Unlocking Potential is grounded in the belief that leadership is not confined to a title. Leadership lives within every member of our school community, and when we create opportunities for others to lead, we unlock the collective potential of our students, staff, and communities.” The conference kicks off Sunday, Oct. 18, with a golf tournament, committee meetings, and a welcome reception honoring past IPA presidents. Keynote speakers include: Phil Januszewski, a 20-year educator turned full-time motivator, will deliver a keynote Monday morning titled “Less Tired. More Inspired: Three Actions Toward Thriving Instead of Surviving.” Januszewski will share three crucial actions that will allow leaders to leverage individual strengths and passions to reach higher levels of happiness, fulfillment, and giving, all while avoiding burnout and a negative mindset. Brian Faulkner, 2026-2027 IPA president, and Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders will speak Monday afternoon. IPA Awards for Excellence, Herman Graves Awards, Reaching Out & Building Bridges Awards, and the Mr. John Ourth & Dr. Fred W. Singleton Professional Development Scholarships will also be presented at this session. Dr. Mary Hemphill, CEO and founder of The Limitless Leader LLC, will open Tuesday morning with her session “Future-Proof Leadership: Unlocking Potential in a Skills-Based Economy.” Future-proof leadership will equip principals. assistant principals and deans with a practical framework for leading a skills-based economy, including actionable strategies to implement immediately for kindergarten through high school. Additionally, Tuesday’s IGNITE session will feature fast-paced presentations from school and district leader duos, including Dr. Ben Collins, superintendent, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64; Dr. Courtney Goodman, principal, Eugene Field Elementary School (Park Ridge); Dr. Jill Griffin, superintendent, Bethalto Community Unit School District 8; and Justin Newell, principal, Civic Memorial High School (Bethalto). These leaders will share their perspectives on implementing the School Leader Paradigm and Illinois School Leader Evaluation Plan in their respective districts. The conference will conclude with IPA Deputy Executive Director Brian Schwartz and IPA Government & Public Relations Director Alison Maley, who will provide updates on new education-related laws passed during the 2026 Illinois Legislative Session, and offering insights on how school leaders can stay informed and advocate for their schools. For more information about the IPA or to register to attend, please visit ilprincipals.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2026 Media Contact Information: Office of the Highway Commissioner Northfield Township Road District 237 Melvin Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 724-8300 ntroad@northfieldtownship.com
Property acquisition moves the MWRD–Road District partnership closer to protecting 130 residential structures and critical roadways from flooding across Northfield Township NORTHBROOK — The Northfield Township Road District (NTRD) announced that the purchase of the nearly 16-acre property for the stormwater detention basin serving the Central Road Flood Control Project closed Sept. 8. The project is designed to reduce flooding affecting 130 residential structures and several roadways in South Glenview. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of the 15.82-acre site, along with a 0.91-acre temporary construction easement, from Ridgewood Cemetery Company, Inc., for $8.15 million plus closing costs. The property acquisition is a major milestone in the intergovernmental partnership between the Road District and the MWRD to deliver flood relief along the Central Road corridor from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane. “For the families in South Glenview who have watched water come up their driveways year after year, this property acquisition means the detention basin is no longer a line on a drawing — it is on its way to becoming real,” said Highway Commissioner Michael J. Korman. “When Central Road stays open and dry during a major storm, every resident of Northfield Township benefits, whether they are commuting, getting kids to school, or counting on first responders to get through.” The project will bring direct relief to residents of South Glenview and the surrounding unincorporated area, where flooding has repeatedly threatened homes, yards, and streets. Once operational, the project is expected to reduce flooding that impacts 130 single- and multi-family residential structures, as well as several roadways within and around the project area. The full project includes new mainline storm sewers under Central Road and Dearlove Road and lateral storm sewers on Glenwood Lane, Glendale Road, Glenshire Road and Hillside Road within the Road District’s jurisdiction. The approximately 16-acre detention basin site near Dee Road and Central Avenue will capture and temporarily store stormwater during major rainfall events, reducing pressure on the corridor’s existing drainage system. While the detention basin will capture and store stormwater at the west end of the corridor, the benefits extend across the entire Road District. Reduced flooding protects the pavement, culverts and drainage infrastructure the Road District maintains on behalf of all Township residents, lowers long-term repair costs, and keeps a vital east–west route reliable during severe weather. MWRD is leading and funding the $8.15 million land acquisition, along with the design and construction of the project. Once construction is complete, the Road District will assume long-term ownership and maintenance of the improvements within its jurisdiction. “Strong partnerships are essential to building more resilient communities, and we appreciate the Northfield Township Road District's collaboration on the Central Road Flood Control Project,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Together, we're expanding stormwater storage, reducing flood risks, and protecting our waterways while creating lasting benefits for Northfield Township residents.” Next steps include completing due diligence on the property, conducting survey and staking work, and continued progress on the project design. Aquatic biologists from the MWRD’s Monitoring and Research Department will also be assessing the potential transfer of turtles and fish. The aquatic biologists are conducting an environmental suitability assessment in September to evaluate that conditions are appropriate for this plan. The Road District will keep residents informed as the project advances toward construction. For updates on this project and other Road District programs, visit ntroad.com. About the Northfield Township Road District The Northfield Township Road District is an independent unit of local government organized under the Illinois Highway Code (605 ILCS 5/), responsible for the construction, maintenance, and drainage of roads within its jurisdiction in Cook County, Illinois. The Road District is led by an elected Highway Commissioner and serves residents across Northfield Township, including unincorporated areas.
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