Introducing our new Illinois politics reporter, a familiar name who knows our region

People in southwestern Illinois have a new state affairs and politics reporter to keep an eye on their elected officials and tax dollars. Many of you will recognize her name.

Kelsey Landis began her new post at the BND on Jan. 21, just in time for the new legislative session and as the primary campaign heats up. We are so pleased to have her back on our team.

“It feels like I’m back at home with my return to the Belleville News-Democrat,” Landis said. “Growing up in Springfield with two journalists for parents, I was always attuned to what was going on in the Capitol. Now, covering state politics as a journalist myself feels instinctive.”

During her first two years at the BND, Landis had a track record of strong breaking news and local government accountability coverage. She also covered growth and the economy.

Landis was part of the BND team that gained national attention for its coverage of a Belleville man who fired on a Congressional baseball game, and she won statewide awards for her accountability and enterprise reporting.

In her new position, Landis will cover state affairs and politics through a southern Illinois lens. Much of her focus will be on accountability coverage.

“I hope to connect with readers to direct my reporting in a way that serves their interests and addresses their concerns,” said Landis, who is 31. “Sometimes that will mean reporting on what goes on in Springfield, but often it will mean holding lawmakers accountable for promises they made.”

In case you missed it, here is a legislative session preview that Landis posted during her first week on the job.

Landis replaces Joseph Bustos, who has joined the state politics reporting team at one of our sister news organizations in McClatchy, The State, in Columbia, S.C.

Prior to rejoining the BND last week, Kelsey was editor-in-chief of Insight Into Diversity magazine in St. Louis. She also has served as a reporter and editor at four other southern Illinois newsrooms, including The Telegraph in Alton.

Landis has a bachelor’s degree in English and French from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a master’s degree in writing, rhetoric and discourse from DePaul University in Chicago.

If you have any story ideas or other thoughts about state affairs or politics coverage, please contact Landis at klandis@bnd.com or 239-2101. Her Twitter handle is @kelseylandis.

Thank you for supporting Landis’ work and for reading the BND.