From left, Jeff Rogers, Don Craven and Anna Brugmann. Courtesy of Medill Local News Initiative

Forty Illinois local news entities operating 120 outlets are receiving $4 million in state tax credits under a new law designed to encourage the retention and hiring of journalists, according to documents released last week.

The organizations that have received credits represent a cross section of Illinois’ local news ecosystem, according to records obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Medill Local News Initiative.

They span major legacy organizations, small community newspapers, digital startups and public broadcasters. Most of the funding went to organizations outside the Chicago metro area. Nonprofit outlets received 30% of the money. Most news organizations in Illinois

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