Veteran Statehouse reporter Hannah Meisel joins Capitol News Illinois reporting team

Veteran Statehouse reporter Hannah Meisel joins Capitol News Illinois reporting team
Spread the love

By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
[email protected]

Longtime Statehouse reporter Hannah Meisel has joined the Capitol News Illinois team as a full-time state government and politics reporter.

She’s had a number of assignments covering the Statehouse and Illinois government since the 2014 legislative session, most recently serving as Statehouse editor for NPR Illinois from 2020 until after the November 2022 election. Prior to that, Meisel worked at The Daily Line, Law 360 and Illinois Public Media in addition to various assignments for other outlets.

Throughout her career she’s been a frequent guest on TV and radio programs throughout Illinois and beyond, including hosting a weekly public television roundtable show and being tapped as a featured speaker and panelist for live events. Meisel has excelled in both print news and broadcast formats, and she has developed a wide-ranging knowledge of state government and extensive sources.

In 2020, The Washington Post named her one of the outstanding political reporters to follow in Illinois. In 2021, she won the Illinois News Broadcasters Association’s Crystal Mic Award for best small market radio reporter in the state.

“I’m thrilled to be joining a team that shares my vision of what state government coverage could – and frankly – should look like as a responsible answer to a seemingly never-ending news cycle that, unfortunately, tends to focus on the wrong things,” Meisel said. “I’ve witnessed CNI grow and mature since its inception and I’m really excited about what we can achieve together.”

Meisel’s experience will help grow CNI’s multimedia footprint while shoring up the coverage that has been the backbone of the news outlet since it launched in 2019 – thoughtful, analytic coverage of Illinois government from the Statehouse to government agencies, courts and the political landscape.

“Hannah is one of the most well-connected reporters in the state and is a wealth of institutional Capitol knowledge,” CNI Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki said. “She’s another strong addition to the well-rounded, talented roster of reporters we’re building at Capitol News Illinois.”

She joins veteran reporter Peter Hancock, investigative powerhouse Beth Hundsdorfer and Nowicki, who make up CNI’s full-time reporting crew working from the basement of the state Capitol in Springfield.

Meisel is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the U of I Springfield’s Public Affairs Reporting master’s program, through which Capitol News Illinois hosts a reporting intern each legislative session. This year’s PAR reporter is Nika Schoonover.

The hiring announcement comes at a time of rapid expansion for Capitol News Illinois, as the outlet prepares to launch a broadcast operation this year. The hiring process for those new positions continues, and Meisel’s public radio experience will be vital in ensuring a successful launch.

The expansion is largely made possible by a $2 million, three-year investment from the McCormick Foundation. The Illinois Broadcasters Association and Southern Illinois Editorial Association have also made significant financial contributions to the expansion effort.

Capitol News Illinois operates solely on grants and donations. It does not charge a subscription for access to its coverage or a fee to publish its stories. The McCormick Foundation and Illinois Press Foundation have been the major donors to CNI during its first four years of operation.

Meisel’s first official day was Friday, Jan. 20, after freelancing with CNI for the end of the 102nd General Assembly’s “lame duck” session earlier this month.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide, as well as hundreds of radio and TV stations. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.


Spread the love


Illinois News


House passes bill prohibiting book bans
House passes bill prohibiting book bans
ComEd’s former top lawyer paints Madigan confidant as ‘double agent’ in testimony
ComEd’s former top lawyer paints Madigan confidant as ‘double agent’ in testimony
House sends 41 bills to Senate as Friday legislative deadline looms
House sends 41 bills to Senate as Friday legislative deadline looms
‘You’re a street fighter,’ Madigan confidant counseled former speaker: wiretapped call
‘You’re a street fighter,’ Madigan confidant counseled former speaker: wiretapped call
Wiretaps show Madigan, through McClain, Forced Ally Out of Legislature to Protect Himself
Lawmakers advance measure to regulate ride-shares as ‘common carriers’
Lawmakers advance measure to regulate ride-shares as ‘common carriers’


National News


House Freedom Caucus hits back after White House comments, pledges spending cuts

House Freedom Caucus hits back after White House comments, pledges spending cuts

Former ComEd attorney points to political pressure in bribery case

Former ComEd attorney points to political pressure in bribery case

DEA issues public alert on fentanyl mixed with Xylazine

DEA issues public alert on fentanyl mixed with Xylazine

U.S. border data: 284 suspected terrorists apprehended so far in fiscal 2023

U.S. border data: 284 suspected terrorists apprehended so far in fiscal 2023

Federal Reserve rate hike is 9th since March 2022

Federal Reserve rate hike is 9th since March 2022

Supreme Court rules deaf Michigan student can sue school for damages

Supreme Court rules deaf Michigan student can sue school for damages


Classifieds


Vedette logo

Peotone Swears in New Officers; Approves Budget

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens The Peotone Village Board swore in two new part-time officers on March 13. David Garza from Beecher and Donald McRoberts of Calumet City, who is also a patrolman for the Village of Riverdale. The public hearing on the 2023-’24 fiscal year budget was heard with no comments from the public.…


Spread the love
"Twins," by Lillian Sacks, a student at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, is on display at the 33rd annual KCC High School Art Show. –Photo submitted.

Local Students Exhibit at 33rd Annual KCC High School Art Show

Spread the love

Spread the loveStudents from 13 local schools have original artwork on display for the 33rd annual Kankakee Community College High School Juried Art Exhibition. The show runs until March 29 in the lower level of the Miner Memorial Library at KCC. Hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m.…


Spread the love
Informational Meetings

Answering Frequently Heard Objections/Questions on Mental Health Tax Referendum

Spread the love

Spread the loveKankakee County residents have an opportunity to vote on a sales tax referendum at the April 4 General Election. Voters will decide if they are willing to adopt a ¼ cent sales tax to create local, long-term solutions to address chronic gaps in the mental health system of care. Several objections and questions…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Peotone P & Z Recommends Board Approval for Rezoning on Wilmington Road

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Peotone Planning and Zoning officials are recommending village board approval for a zoning map change for a 28.66-acre parcel at 8650 W. Wilmington Road. Chalkstone Partners, LLC, petitioned the village for B-3 (Auto-oriented and Service Business District) zoning for the property on the north side of Wilmington Road, an area…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Demolition Stalled on 206 N. Second

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens Everyone was watching for another building to get bulldozed downtown. Equipment was dropped Monday morning but, by Tuesday morning, the equipment was gone. O’Neill Excavating, the contractor who was awarded the contract, was contacted for comment and would not say anything regarding the job other than there were “contract issues.”…


Spread the love
Police DUI Checkpoint

Fatal Crash at Peotone-Wilmington Road and Rt. 45

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe Manhattan Fire Protection District reported that on Sunday, March 19, at approximately 8:20 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) was dispatched to a reported auto accident at the intersection of Rt. 45 and Peotone-Wilmington Road. Upon arrival, fire crews found three vehicles with heavy damage. One of the vehicles was on…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

IGA for Village of Beecher and BFPD Not Going Anywhere Yet

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva For now, the intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Beecher and the Beecher Fire Protection District is still a thing. At the village’s board meeting on March 13, an ordinance to dissolve the agreement was tabled. At the center of the board/fire district unpleasantness is an independent fire inspection system…


Spread the love
Peotone Village Hall logo

Peotone Village Board Candidate Meet & Greet

Spread the love

Spread the loveSpread the love


Spread the love
Heart in hand icon vector

Scouts Collecting for Helping Hands

Spread the love

Spread the loveLast Saturday, Peotone Boys Scout Troop 315 distributed grocery bags, donated by Berkot’s, to all homes in the village, with the hope residents will fill their bags with non-perishable items to aid Helping Hands Food Pantry. Residents are asked to place donations on their porches by 9 a.m., on Saturday, March 25, when…


Spread the love
Night Time Police Intervention

Monee Police Blotter: March 6 – 11

Spread the love

Spread the loveMarch 6, at approximately 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a theft report at a Ridgeland Avenue shipping yard. Big Blue Intermodal of Romeoville reported one of its trailers had been stolen from the shipping yard. The trailer information was entered into the stolen database. March 7, at approximately 5 a.m., officers took a…


Spread the love
Manteno’s Easter Egg Dash is April 1st.

Manteno Annual Easter Egg Dash!

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe Village of Manteno will host its annual Easter Egg Dash for residents on Saturday, April 1, at Heritage Park. Included in the fun are pictures with the bunny, food, beverages, and more from 10-10:50 a.m. The egg hunt will begin promptly at 11 a.m., with separate zones for ages Pre-K and Kindergarten,…


Spread the love
Harbor House Logo

Harbor House Celebrates Women’s History Month

Spread the love

Spread the loveMarch is Women’s History Month, a nationally recognized time to celebrate women’s stories and highlight their contributions in history. Harbor House is honored to empower women’s voices and celebrate the important role they play in society. “We know domestic violence is an issue that disproportionately affects women, as one-in-three women have been directly…


Spread the love
Coach Carlile poses with former and current and softball players. Congratulations on your recent honor! –Photo submitted. Congratulations!

CUSD 5 Has Something to Celebrate!

Spread the love

Spread the loveRecently, Manteno School District 5 had some special news to celebrate. Here’s what was happening in Manteno… Spread the love


Spread the love
–Photo submitted.

Resolution Honoring Fallen Bradley Sgt. Rittmanic Passes House Transportation Committee

Spread the love

Spread the loveTo honor the life of fallen Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic (End of Watch: December 30, 2021), House Assistant Minority Leader Jackie Haas introduced House Joint Resolution 15 to designate the 315 overpass on I-57 as the “Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic Memorial Highway.” Sgt. Rittmanic was killed in the line of duty on…


Spread the love
Peotone Police Department

Peotone Police Blotter: March 14

Spread the love

Spread the love Tyrick Berry, 22, of Bradley, was arrested on March 14, at 12:17 a.m., for driving while license is suspended, no insurance, and driving without registration. Berry was released pending a court appearance. Spread the love


Spread the love