Bailey to join Illinois Answers Project as EIC

Better Government Association has named Ruby L. Bailey editor-in-chief of its Illinois Answers Project. She will begin on Jan. 2.

Bailey said:

“My life’s work and mission is empowering communities through journalism. I can think of no better place than the Illinois Answers Project to lead a group of journalists committed to that important work for the people of Chicago and Illinois.

“Together, we will delve deeply into the most pressing problems and give residents the information they need and deserve to effect the change in our communities.”

She will join from USA Today, where she held the post of consumer editor. She has also worked as an opinion and public engagement editor at The Indianapolis Star.

At the University of Missouri-Columbia, she served as Endowed Chair for Community Newspaper Management, professor and executive editor of Columbia Missourian. She also worked as a continuous news editor at The Sacramento Bee, and held the post of assistant metro editor for breaking news at the Detroit Free Press.

She also reported for The Detroit News and serves on the boards of the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting and the Missouri Press Foundation.

Bailey has a master’s degree from Biola University in California.

Be sure to congratulate Bailey on X/Twitter.