Editorial Standards

Illinois State News is committed to producing accurate, fair, and independently sourced reporting on the people, places, and issues shaping the state of Illinois. This page documents the standards our newsroom holds itself to.

Sourcing & Accuracy

Every article we publish links to its primary sources. These include government filings, court records, public meetings, official statements, and named human sources where available. Readers should be able to verify the factual claims in our reporting independently. We do not knowingly publish unverified rumors or anonymous claims without a clear public-interest justification.

Use of AI Tools

We use AI-assisted tools for research, drafting support, and summarization. All published reporting is reviewed by human editors before publication. AI is not a substitute for verification: every fact, quote, and source attribution is checked against primary materials before an article goes live.

Corrections

We correct errors of fact promptly and transparently. When a published article is materially updated, the article is timestamped with its modification date and significant corrections are noted in the article itself. To request a correction, please reach out via our contact page.

Ethics & Independence

Our reporting is editorially independent. We do not accept payment, gifts, or other inducements in exchange for coverage. Advertising and sponsorship arrangements do not influence editorial decisions. Conflicts of interest, when they arise, are disclosed within the relevant article.

Diversity

Illinois is a diverse state, and our coverage aims to reflect that. We seek out sources, perspectives, and stories from across the state's communities, both urban and rural, north and south. We actively work to avoid relying on a narrow set of voices.

Fact-Checking & Verification

Before publication, articles are reviewed for factual accuracy, source attribution, and adherence to these standards. Quotes are verified against their original context. Statistics and figures are checked against their cited sources.

Feedback

We welcome reader feedback, news tips, and corrections. Reach us through our contact page. Substantive feedback that affects the accuracy of a published article will be reviewed and acted upon.