Record listens to Skokie — two more sessions scheduled

The Record newsroom hit the town Saturday morning, meeting Skokie readers at Sketchbook Brewing Co. for a community forum on local news.

The event was one of three listening sessions The Record will host in its newest coverage area, Skokie. The other two are scheduled for: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Skokie Public Library (RSVP), and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Soul Good Coffee (RSVP).

The sessions aim to involve readers in news coverage of their community. Learning what matters to Skokie readers will result in better, more thoughtful and more accessible local reporting from The Record.

“To most effectively report on a community, you need to be in that community,” Record Editor in Chief Joe Coughlin said. “You need to learn. You need to hear from its residents, its business owners, its workers. What challenges are they facing? What matters to them? Who has a voice and who doesn’t?

“There’s no easy answers, but getting in there and listening is essential.”

Skokie residents and Record staffers on Saturday, Dec. 6, enjoyed Lefty’s bagels and coffee while discussing Skokie’s current information landscape.

Alongside Skokie reporter Samuel Lisec, Record Director of Development Ryan Osborn moderated the discussion, asking guests where they receive local news and what stories have gone underreported, among other questions.

“These conversations ensure that The Record is not just reporting on the community but reporting with the community,” he said, adding, “Listening is a core part of our mission. It helps us understand what people need, so we can serve the community with more empathy and impact.”

The Record welcomes all those interested in Skokie local news coverage to join us for a discussion and refreshments at either the library on Dec. 16 or Soul Good Coffee on Jan. 14.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.