College of Communication > About > Centers & Initiatives > Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence > Lectures & Events > FOIA Fellows Program

FOIA Fellows Program

​​​
FOIA Fellows 2019
Photo Credit: Jesus J. Montero
The FOIA Fellows program provides intensive hands-on training and mentoring for early-career journalists in the Chicagoland area and surrounding states who work at small news organizations, with a special focus on journalists from underrepresented backgrounds.

The fellows come to Chicago for two days to hear from leading Freedom of Information and investigative reporting voices. They’re also paired with mentors to receive personalized feedback on their current projects and FOIA records requests.

2023 FOIA Fellows 

  • Gabriella Bachara, CBS 58 Milwaukee, WI
  • Molly Devore, The Times of Northwest Indiana, Munster, IN
  • Olivia Doak, La Salle News-Tribune, La Salle, IL
  • Tara Gray, KWQC-TV Davenport, IA
  • William Ingalls, WREX-TV, Rockford, IL
  • Carley Lanich, South Bend Tribune, South Bend, IN
  • Madison McAddo, KWQC-TV Davenport, IA
  • Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago
  • Tahleel Mohieldin, WISC-TV, Madison, WI
  • Jake Norman, Northwest Herald Crystal Lake, IL
  • Jordan Smith, South Bend Tribune, South Bend, IN
  • Taylor Vidmar, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL
  • Jenny Whidden, The Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL​

2023​​ FOIA Fellows Program Mentors

The center engages a wide range of professionals to serve as FOIA Fellows program mentors. 2023 program mentors include:

  • Leah Bartelt, FOIA Office, Office of the Illinois Attorney General
  • Shelby Bremer, Investigative Producer, NBC5 Chicago
  • Don Craven, Attorney, Illinois Press Association
  • Mick Dumke, Investigative Reporter, Block Club Chicago
  • Sgt. Peter Edwards, FOIA Officer, Chicago Police Department
  • Duaa Eldeib, Reporter, ProPublica
  • Shelley Geiszler, Attorney, FOIA Litigation, Loevy & Loevy
  • Bob Herguth Watchdog Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
  • Rachel Hinton, Enterprise Reporter, Better Government Association
  • Jewél Jackson, Investigative Reporter, BGA 
  • Tom Jones, Consumer Investigative Producer, NBC5 Chicago
  • Lisa Parker, Former Consumer Investigative Reporter, NBC5 Chicago
  • Ann Pistone, Investigative Producer, ABC7 Chicago
  • Greg Pratt, Political Reporter, Chicago Tribune
  • Phil Rogers, Former Investigative Reporter, NBC5 Chicago
  • Stephanie Zimmermann, Investigative Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times​