The Illinois Journalism Education Association's 2021 Fall Conference, originally scheduled for Friday, Sept. 17, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been canceled due to complications related to COVID. Check inside for IJEA President John Gonczy's statement explaining the reasons for the decision.

The IJEA is proud to announce the members of the 2021 All-State Journalism Team. The 11 students selected for this year's honor were nominated by their advisers in recognition of the indispensable contributions they made to their publications during 2020-21. Congratulations to these MVPs who rose to the occasion in this most challenging of years!

From the the initial lockdown to the arrival of multiple vaccines, Illinois high school journalists saw it all during the 12 months covered by our 2021 competition. Facing one challenge after another, IJEA student journalists and their advisers truly rose to the occasion! Check inside for links to the winning entries.

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.

The IJEA is proud to announce the members of the 2020 All-State Journalism Team. The 12 students selected for the honor were nominated by their respective advisers in recognition of the indispensable contributions they made to their publications during the 2019-20 school year.

Whether it was dealing with a Chicago teachers strike in the fall or a statewide closure of schools in the spring, Illinois high school journalists have overcome one challenge after another this year. Check out the best of their work as we announce the winners of our 2020 Newspaper & Digital News Contest!

Even though the 2020 Spring National High School Journalism Conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois student journalists nonetheless received national recognition for their work thanks to a virtual ceremony held April 17. Congratulations to all!

Throughout Illinois, no matter the size of the school or program, yearbook staffs and advisers created wonderful journalism as they told the stories of their 2018-19 school year. In recognition of that work, the IJEA is proud to announce the winners of our 2019 Yearbook Contest!