The Chicago Journal

Medill Launches Shared Services Hub to Fortify Chicago’s Local News Ecosystem

The Chicago Journal Staff 2 on January 27, 2026

Chicago’s local news landscape is entering a period of strategic investment and reinvention as Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism expands its support for the region’s news outlets with a new shared services hub, backed by a major grant commitment.

The hub — funded with $3.6 million over three years from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation — aims to strengthen independent journalism in Chicago and nearby communities by providing newsrooms with critical tools, expertise, and infrastructure needed to thrive in a rapidly changing media environment.

Filling Gaps in Chicago’s News Ecosystem

Medill’s shared services hub is built on the success of earlier initiatives — the Local News Accelerator and Metro Media Lab — and is part of a broader effort to fortify local journalism at a time when newspapers nationwide are shrinking and newsroom staff have declined sharply.

Dean Charles Whitaker of the Medill School said the hub will allow local outlets to focus more on reporting that matters to Chicago residents, while Medill handles specialized support.

“This new shared services hub will help us provide much-needed resources to Chicago area news outlets. And it will allow them to spend more time focusing on what they do best — providing valuable journalism that helps residents be more informed about local matters that affect their daily lives.”

The hub’s services are designed to fill gaps that many smaller newsrooms lack the capacity to address internally, including:

  • Consumer research and audience strategy
  • Product development and revenue diversification
  • Legal support tailored for news organizations
  • Training in tools like AI to modernize newsroom operations
  • Solutions journalism coaching and executive leadership development

Why This Matters for Chicago

Despite Chicago’s status as one of the largest media markets in the country, the city and its suburbs have experienced the same pressures affecting local news across the U.S.: shrinking newsroom staffs, outlets shuttering print editions, and rising costs that outpace advertising revenue. Medill data show that in Illinois:

  • 45 % of newspapers have disappeared over the last two decades
  • More than half of newspaper jobs have vanished in just the last decade
  • 44 % of Illinois counties have limited access to local news outlets

While Chicago’s news ecosystem remains stronger than many regions — with well over 100 local newspapers, digital sites, ethnic media, and broadcast outlets — many lack the specialized expertise in audience analytics, legal compliance, and revenue strategy required to grow and sustain long-term coverage.

The shared services hub is designed to bridge that gap, enabling smaller newsrooms to access resources that have historically been limited to larger corporate newsrooms or national media organizations.

Broadening Impact Beyond Training

The hub’s launch included an “AI in Local Journalism Seminar,” bringing together journalists from across Chicago to explore how emerging technologies can enhance reporting without compromising quality — a priority as digital transformation reshapes how audiences consume news. (Local News Initiative)

Industry observers note that such training is vital as outlets balance the opportunities and challenges of automation, data analytics, and generative tools.

At the same time, the McCormick Foundation’s broader commitment to journalism underscores the importance of quality reporting in democratic life, especially for accountability, civic engagement, and community connection. The foundation has long supported Chicago-area journalism efforts and local newsroom sustainability as key pillars of civic infrastructure.

Building Long-Term Sustainability

Beyond immediate support, the shared services hub aligns with Medill’s ongoing research and advocacy on the state of local news, including studies showing the importance of audience engagement strategies, subscription models, and diversified revenue streams as ways for local outlets to adapt and thrive.

Local news leaders in Chicago have welcomed this expansion of support. Many see the hub as a practical response to the challenges facing independent newsrooms, enabling them not just to survive but to innovate and grow new forms of accountable reporting.

As news deserts expand in parts of Illinois and across the nation, efforts like Medill’s shared services hub represent an important, community-grounded investment in the future of local journalism — one that seeks to keep Chicagoans better informed about the government decisions, civic issues, and neighborhood developments that shape daily life.

Jack Cashman: Storytelling, Identity, and the American Experience

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 27, 2026

By: Ethan Rogers

Jack Cashman has built a literary career rooted in one central idea: stories shape who we are. As an American author, entrepreneur, and former public servant, Cashman brings a rare combination of lived experience and narrative discipline to his work, positioning him as a compelling voice in contemporary literature focused on identity, history, and civic reflection.

Cashman has written across both fiction and non-fiction, crafting stories that explore resilience, political consciousness, and personal transformation. His work does not seek easy conclusions. Instead, it invites readers to examine the forces, historical, cultural, and personal, that define individuals and nations alike.

Among his most notable titles are An Irish Immigrant Story, An Irishman’s Story of Survival, American Valor, Democracy: The Final Nail, Three Steps to the Making of an Assassin, and One Man’s Mission. Each book approaches its subject matter with depth and intention, reflecting Cashman’s interest in the human cost of history and the moral weight of choice.

His Irish immigrant narratives, for example, go beyond heritage storytelling. They examine displacement, perseverance, and identity through the lens of personal struggle, while also addressing broader themes of migration and belonging. These stories resonate strongly with readers interested in the immigrant experience as a foundational element of American identity.

Cashman’s politically driven works take a thoughtful, analytical approach rather than a partisan one. In Democracy: The Final Nail, he explores the fragility of democratic systems and the responsibilities that come with civic participation. It provides a well-researched 45-year history of how democracy has been morphed into an oligarchy. Rather than offering simple answers, the book challenges readers to engage critically with the political realities shaping modern society.

This intellectual rigor has earned Cashman media attention across multiple platforms. His work has been featured on YouTube-based interview platforms and Eyes On Hollywood, helping expand his reach to audiences interested in cultural commentary, history, and social issues. His growing digital presence allows him to connect with readers worldwide, reinforcing the global relevance of his themes.

What distinguishes Cashman as an author is his ability to merge storytelling with reflection. His background in public service informs his understanding of systems and governance, while his entrepreneurial mindset gives his writing a sense of urgency and purpose. The result is work that feels grounded, informed, and deeply human.

Today, Jack Cashman continues to engage audiences through his writing, interviews, and media collaborations. His body of work appeals to readers seeking more than entertainment—those interested in understanding the complexities of identity, power, and personal responsibility in an evolving world.

As conversations around history, democracy, and cultural identity continue to intensify, Cashman’s voice stands out for its clarity and relevance. His stories remind readers that behind every political system and historical moment are individuals navigating choices that shape the future.

His work encourages reflection on the complexities of human experience, urging readers to engage with the challenges that define society. By drawing on personal and collective struggles, Cashman offers a nuanced perspective on what it means to live in a constantly evolving world. Through his storytelling, he invites readers to explore the intersections of history, culture, and identity in a way that resonates with the present.

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