Writing for 15 West
15 West is short for 15 miles west. Berwyn and Cicero, where we're based, are located less than 15 miles west of downtown Chicago.
When reaching out to us with story ideas, consider neighborhoods west of the most populous parts of Chicago that deserve greater coverage and increased news access, like Berwyn, Cicero, North Lawndale, Garfield Park, Austin, etc.
We're looking for writers who reflect the West Side—BIPOC journalists, neurodivergent journalists, people with lived experience(s) in the system, writers from neighborhoods that rarely make headlines, and those with deep expertise in issues that matter here, from music to election processes.
What We Cover
NextDoor Happenings
Hyperlocal news, community stories, plus local artists, venues, and cultural events.
Modern Literacy
Learning gaps, digital divides, educational equity, and when tech moves faster than schools.
Creative Solutions
Innovative approaches to community issues and grassroots problem-solving.
Criminal Justice Reform
Policy changes, community programs, and justice system improvements.
Civic Participation
Local government, voting, community organizing, and how to get involved.
Health Empowerment
Community health resources, healthcare access, and wellness initiatives that put residents in control.
Aging/55+
News, resources, and stories related to older adults.
Pay Transparency
While we are a fairly new newsroom, we want to hit the ground running in how we believe writers should be treated.
Writing
For writers with fewer than 3 bylines (clips or professional writing samples), we pay $160 per story (500-800 words).
For writers with 3 or more bylines, we pay $200 per story (600-1,000 words).
Photography
For new and experienced photographers you can review our rate card.
Translation
For translation, we pay $0.12/word.
Reimbursements
For assignments requiring travel outside of Chicago city limits or more than 30 minutes of transit, transportation costs will be fully reimbursed, including travel to and from the venue. If overnight travel is necessary, hotel accommodations and airfare will also be covered.
All reimbursements must be pre-approved and submitted with itemized receipts. If you anticipate travel costs, please reach out in advance to confirm coverage.
News Accessibility Study
If you are an individual with disabilities, neurodivergence, and/or someone who speaks languages other than English, we are conducting a news accessibility study and are paying participants $25 for approximately 15 minutes of their time. Please email us to participate.
Volunteering
If you're interested in volunteering your time instead of receiving compensation, please let us know.
When Pitching 15 West
Keep it to the point. Tell us a little about yourself. If you've been published before, share links or point us to a website. We'll do our best to get back to you within one week.
We're currently prioritizing shorter-form content (500-1000 words).
Not sure how to structure your pitch? We got you. Try this.
Send your ideas to stories@luckyjefferson.com.
Got a lead on corruption, misconduct, or something that needs investigating? Something out of the ordinary or spicy? Send that to tips@luckyjefferson.com
We, too, are working journalists and hate the silent treatment and harm that everyday journalists experience.
We prioritize original journalism and community stories over promotional content. Every pitch will receive a response, and we will update this page when we are temporarily closing our inbox to accepting new story ideas.