Sam Bull, a senior at Downers Grove North H.S., has been named the 2021 Illinois Journalist of the Year. He is IJEA’s 32nd Journalist of the Year, and he will now compete for national honors against the top high school journalists from other states. Congratulations to Sam and his adviser, Elizabeth Levin!

In the wake of the events on Jan. 6 in our nation's capital, the IJEA wishes to express its wholehearted support of the recent statement by JEA President Sarah Nichols on this topic. We are proud to stand with JEA in this and all matters regarding the role of a free press in the defense of democratic values.

Throughout Illinois, high school yearbook staffs large and small overcame numerous obstacles to meet the challenge of doing great journalism during the time of COVID. In recognition of that work, the IJEA is proud to announce the winners of our 2020 Yearbook Contest!

The retired educator died Aug. 25. During his three decades of teaching and advising at Evanston Township High School, Rodney Lowe built a widely admired journalism program but more importantly influenced generations of students with his dedication to excellence and the rights student journalists.

One of IJEA's founding members, William Colosimo, died on May 29 at the age of 81. He taught English and journalism at Addison Trail for three decades, retiring in 2003. As adviser of the school newspaper, the Torch, Bill was the consummate advocate for his students and for scholastic journalism.