1. (a) As used in this Section, "local news organization" has the meaning given to that term in the Strengthening Community Media Act.

2. (b) In order to encourage academically talented Illinois students to pursue careers in journalism, especially in underserved areas of the State, and to provide those students with financial assistance to increase the likelihood that they will complete their full academic commitment and elect to remain in Illinois to pursue a career in journalism, subject to appropriation, not sooner than the 2025-2026 academic year, the Commission shall implement and administer the Journalism Student Scholarship Program. The Commission shall annually award scholarships to persons preparing to work in Illinois, with preference given to those preparing to work in underserved areas. These scholarships shall be awarded to individuals who make application to the Commission and agree to sign an agreement under which the recipient pledges that, within the 2-year period following the termination of the academic program for which the recipient was awarded a scholarship, the recipient shall:

   1. (1) begin working in journalism in this State for a period of not less than 2 years;
   2. (2) fulfill this obligation at local news organization; and
   3. (3) upon request of the Commission, provide the Commission with evidence that the recipient is fulfilling or has fulfilled the terms of the teaching agreement provided for in this subsection.

3. (c) An eligible student is a student who meets the following qualifications:

   1. (1) is a resident of this State and a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States;
   2. (2) is a high school graduate or a person who has received an Illinois high school diploma;
   3. (3) is enrolled or accepted, on at least a half-time basis, at an institution of higher learning; and
   4. (4) is pursuing a postsecondary course of study leading to a career in journalism or a similar field.
4. (d) Each scholarship shall be used by the recipient for the payment of tuition and fees at an institution of higher learning.
5. (e) The Commission shall administer the Program and shall adopt all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation.

(Source: P.A. 103-1021, eff. 1-1-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)