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
news@capitolnewsillinois.com

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
ADS-Vedette-Edward-Jones-Abney-Vedette_CD_Ad_Week_1_of_13_6_29_2023_page-0001.jpg


Illinois News


Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
Judge rips Blagojevich’s ‘publicity stunt’ bid to get court’s approval to run for office again
Judge rips Blagojevich’s ‘publicity stunt’ bid to get court’s approval to run for office again


Classifieds


Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Vedette logo

Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva You might say Matthew Glenn is looking for an exit strategy. Or, at the very least, an exit solution. Before the usual group of citizens spoke to harangue the Manteno Village Board on March 18 about the Gotion EV battery factory, Glenn, the principal at Manteno Elementary School, spoke first…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Monee Water Main Improvement Project Bids Approved

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Construction bids for Monee’s water main improvement project and the new Department of Public Works facility were approved by the board of trustees on March 13. The bids approved for both projects were significantly lower than totals budgeted by the board last month. Village Administrator Ruben Bautista said during the…


Spread the love
Panther logo

Panthers Beat Milford 11-1

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jim Piacentini In Manteno baseball on Tuesday, March 19, the Panthers had a slow first inning against the Milford Bearcats, but the second inning was just the opposite. The Panthers scored 5 and took a demanding 6-0 lead. Manteno then scored 3 runs in the fourth and 2 more in the sixth,…


Spread the love
Panther logo

BIG Week for Lady Panthers!

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn Tuesday, March 19, in a non-conference game, the Lady Panthers brought home an 11-3 victory against the Kankakee Kays. The Panthers scored 11 runs, on 13 hits, while committing 4 errors in the 7-inning contest. Kankakee had 3 runs, on 6 hits, with no errors. Ava Peterson, who was credited with the…


Spread the love
Manteno Fire Protection District

Manteno Firefighters Participate in Training Leading to State/National Certification

Spread the love

Spread the loveLocal firefighters Zachary Carroll and Danielle Georgelos, from the Manteno Community Fire Protection District, are enrolled in the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Basic Operations Firefighter/NFPA Firefighter I (BOF) Blended course. This 18-week training program is designed to give firefighters the training needed to operate safely and effectively on the fireground. Unlike a…


Spread the love
–Graphic submitted.

Elizabeth Packard: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced

Spread the love

Spread the loveJoin Laura Keyes, as Elizabeth Packard, for this informative and inspiring presentation on “Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard – The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced,” on Saturday, April 20, from 2 – 3:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum in Small Memorial Park, 801 South Eighth Avenue in Kankakee. Tickets are $10 for general…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Monee Police Blotter: March 11 – 16

Spread the love

Spread the loveMarch 11, at approximately 4:10 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 6600 block of Monee-Manhattan Road to investigate a theft. Upon the officer’s arrival, they learned an employee of the business allegedly stole a pair of JBL earbuds worth $299. Shondale L. Taylor, 26, of Chicago, was arrested for theft-under $500.…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Manteno Police Respond to Stabbings; Suspect in Custody

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn March 21, Manteno officers were dispatched to Copelands Route 50 North Bar, in the 100 block of N. Locust Street, in reference to two stabbing victims. Upon arrival, officers located two stabbing victims in the parking lot, but the offender had fled the scene on foot. During the investigation, the suspect was…


Spread the love
Rep. Haas honored Brickstone Brewery as her March Local Business Spotlight. –Photo submitted.

Rep. Haas: Brickstone Brewery March Local Business Spotlight

Spread the love

Spread the loveFor her March local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais. Rep. Haas spent time touring the business and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the community. “I am honored to recognize Brickstone Brewery for my March Local Business Spotlight,” said Rep. Haas.…


Spread the love
Upcoming events logo

Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group ‘Rescue ME’ Crafters’ Resale

Spread the love

Spread the loveMark your calendars – we are back for our 10th “Rescue ME Resale.” The Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group is hosting its Rescue ME Crafters’ Resale on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Township Office, 230 Wabash Street, in Manhattan. This resale will feature quilting, sewing, and needlework supplies.…


Spread the love
Community News Logo

Peotone to Begin Branch Pick-Up

Spread the love

Spread the loveStarting April 1 and running through October 28, the Village of Peotone will run its branch pick-up service. For this program, the village is divided at Corning Avenue, with brush from Corning Avenue north picked up on the first and third Monday of the month (weather permitting). Brush at homes south of Corning…


Spread the love
Community News Logo

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Spread the love

Spread the loveHelping Hands Food Pantry will be open to all area residents (including senior citizens and adults both with or without children who reside within the boundaries of the Peotone School District and are in need of food assistance) on Wednesdays, April 3 and 17, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian…


Spread the love
–Logo submitted.

Peotone Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe library is closing early on Friday, March 29, at 3 p.m. The next Friends of the Library meeting is Tuesday, April 9, at 11 a.m., at Cornerstone Coffee. Mark your calendars for the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale – Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20. The…


Spread the love
Community News Logo

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Celebrates Women’s History Month

Spread the love

Spread the loveStories of determination/skill highlight the critical role of women in the success of every business. Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, the 19-unit full-service fitness franchise that works to bring a robust fitness experience to underserved communities, is celebrating Women’s History Month by showcasing women entrepreneurs, whose determination and business acumen have led to success…


Spread the love
–Logo submitted.

Crete Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveThursday, March 28 Manga Club for Teens, from 3 – 4 p.m., grades sixth/12th: Join us to discuss “Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Deserted Island Diary: Vol. 1,” by Kokonasu Rumba. Copies are available at the library. Film Club, from 5:30 – 8 p.m., adults: Enjoy watching “Brooklyn” on the library’s big screen, with…


Spread the love