Illinois Policy Institute
Communications Associate
Relevant Experience
Serving as the Communications Associate for the Illinois Policy Institute. Working as a primary spokesperson, press officer, and ghostwriter. Previously served as the media relations intern.
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— Opinion columnist for the Institute, providing a voice for their experts.
—Featured in national and local publications.
—Write, Edit, Pitch opinion and blog content on behalf of the Institute.
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— Primary media spokesperson
— Distributed on Mailchimp
—Biweekly publication
— Covered wide range of policy issues
— Utilized AI software to maximize output
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—Pitched timely stories to local, statewide, and national outlets and increased coverage by 15%
—Booked interviews with local, national media outlets:
Some examples:
WGN- The John Williams Show KFTK- The Annie Frey Show WVON- The Perri Small Show WROK- The Morning Show with Riley O’Neil. WLS Chicago-The Bruce St. James Show. Cities 92.9- The Morning Buzz with Cat KZIM- Real talk with Riggin
WIND- Shaun Thompson Show
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—Wrote and compiled weekly external comms & distributed to 1 million subscribers
—Managing blog accounts on Medium and Substack
—Created content for “Stay and Fight with Matt Paprocki” podcast.
—Tracking and archiving earned media coverage
—Filed FOIA requests to over 100 Illinois municipalities for an on-going red light camera investigation
—Strategized how to meet quarterly organizational goals
Original Columns
Candidates shouldn’t ignore young voters this election
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s path to redemption
The key to CTA’s rebound is boosting business, not taxes
Chicago mayor’s own neighbors send a big message on city’s future
Brandon Johnson’s ‘Bring Chicago Home’ plan would not ‘tax the rich’
Fare hikes will punish suburban commuters for Metra's errors
Chicago Voters Have a Chance to Deny Progressive Politicians a New Slush Fund
Message to Chicago’s Mayor: Don’t Tax Drivers, Fix Public Transit
Need for Speed…Camera Reform: Chicago’s Robot Enforcement Goes Too Far
Chicago’s Parking Meter Deal Already Has Transit Reform in a Chokehold, the City Shouldn’t Make It Worse
Celebrities shouldn’t be pressured into giving political endorsements
Other cities have figured out post-pandemic public transit. Why can't Chicago?
Young Chicagoans can’t afford city government’s spending addiction
Letters to the Editors
Friday Morning Swim Club
Despite primary turnout, it’s wrong to write off young voters
A congestion tax on Chicago drivers is not the way to go
City should buy Greyhound station
Put pension amendment on ballot
Press Release Samples
44% OF CHICAGO ADULTS LIVING IN POVERTY HAVE SOME COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
PAUL VALLAS: CHICAGO NEEDS NEW CRIME STRATEGY AMID SUMMER OF VIOLENCE
HIGHER PRICE TAGS ON GAS, GROCERIES COMING JULY 1
CHICAGO MAYORAL ELECTION: BRANDON JOHNSON WINS
NEW POLL: 51% OF ILLINOISANS WANT TO LEAVE, WITH HIGH TAXES AS NO. 1 REASON
NEARLY HALF OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS CHRONICALLY ABSENT IN 2022
CHICAGO COMMITTEE VOTES TO REPEAL $59 MILLION AUTOMATIC SPEED CAMERA TICKETING POLICY: ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE STATEMENT
PERMANENT VOTE-BY-MAIL OPTION COULD BOOST ILLINOIS VOTER TURNOUT BY OVER 200,000
‘HALF-BAKED’ ILLINOIS MARIJUANA ROLL-OUT COSTS STATE $600M
2.8 MILLION CHICAGO SPEED CAMERA FINES IN 2021: MORE TICKETS THAN CITY RESIDENTS
STATEMENT FROM THE ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE’S AUSTIN BERG, AUTHOR OF “THE NEW CHICAGO WAY”
$75 BILLION LOCAL PENSION DEBT DRIVES ILLINOIS’ HIGH PROPERTY TAX BURDEN