North Lawndale Community News Explained

North Lawndale Community News
Type:Weekly newspapers, community journalism
Format:Broadsheet
Owners:Strategic Human Services
Publisher:Isaac Lewis, Jr.
Foundation:1999
Headquarters:5650 W Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644
Circulation:15,000
Issn:1548-6087
Website:www.nlcn.org/cms

North Lawndale Community News is a weekly community newspaper based in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. It is published by Strategic Human Services, a local non-profit agency. The paper is financed through grants, as well as subscriptions and advertising revenue.

History

North Lawndale Community News was started in 1999 by a group of North Lawndale residents to communicate important information throughout their community.[1] It began as a monthly newspaper, but it was eventually able to achieve weekly circulation.

During the reconstruction of the Douglas branch of the Pink Line rapid transit line, the newspaper raised concerns that CTA did not hire any neighborhood residents for the project. The resulting controversy ultimately prompted CTA to change its policy.[2]

Regular features

North Lawndale Community News publishes a mix of community news and articles that advise residents of services and opportunities in the area. Unusually for community newspapers, it features a regular film review column (At the Flicks, written by David Schulz).

The newspaper draws on contributors from the North Lawndale community. Editors, writers and photographers are recruited from the neighborhood, and local teenagers distribute the papers to subscribers.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.vocalo.org/node/28195
  2. Web site: The Power of the Community Press. July 2002.