Here’s how you can help the BND cover Illinois’ reopening from coronavirus pandemic
The BND staff is working on plans for covering the next phase of Restore Illinois, and we could use your help.
Under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan, Friday, May 29 is the next critical date. That’s when some nonessential businesses like salons and retail shops likely will be allowed to reopen in southwestern Illinois, with capacity limits and other precautions to keep customers and workers safe.
Our newsroom is discussing story ideas and reporting paths that go beyond breaking news, which we will also continue to deliver to you every day.
We’d love to hear what you think. Do you have specific subjects that you want us to cover, or questions our reporters should ask?
Please send your thoughts to jcouch@bnd.com, and I will share them with our staff.
Another way you can help with our coverage is by contributing to the Belleville News-Democrat - COVID-19 Local News Fund. Your tax-deductible gift to the Local Media Foundation will support our reporting team as it continues to cover the pandemic on your behalf.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve worked hard to keep our communities informed and safe. Readership has grown dramatically as a result of the breadth and depth of our coverage. At the same time, the pandemic has kept many businesses closed, significantly reducing our advertising revenue and adding to the well-documented financial stress local news organizations nationwide have faced even before this crisis.
Your financial support through subscriptions and contributions helps us continue providing essential information about the pandemic. We can’t do it without you.
You can contribute to the Belleville News-Democrat - COVID-19 Local News Fund at givebutter.com/bnd.
If you prefer to send a check, please give me a call at 239-2551 and I can walk you through the process. Or you can simply make a check to Local Media Foundation, with Belleville News-Democrat or BND in the memo field, and send it to COVID-19 Local News Fund, ℅ Local Media Foundation, P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689-5015.
A sincere thank you to all who have contributed so far and sent along words of encouragement, like the reader who donated $100 this week and sent along this note:
“Greetings from a subscriber! Reading BND daily is part of my daily life and I have formed a good habit of it. A tiny-bit donation for sharing world, national and local news. God bless!’’
If you want to subscribe, please go to bnd.com/subscribe and sign up.
Thanks again for your readership and your support.
This story was originally published May 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
