15 West is short for 15 miles west.
We cover Chicago's West Side and near-west suburbs, up to 15 miles west of downtown. This area has long been underserved by traditional media. Our mission is to provide communities like Berwyn, Cicero, North Lawndale, Garfield Park, and Austin the in-depth, locally-focused news they deserve.
We're looking for writers who reflect the West Side—BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) journalists, neurodivergent journalists, people with lived experience(s) in the criminal justice system, writers from neighborhoods that rarely make headlines, and those with deep expertise in issues that matter here, from music to election processes.
We're committed to accessible news. All our stories meet plain language standards and are screen reader compatible. Need accommodations for pitching or writing? Let us know at stories@luckyjefferson.com.
Why Write for 15 West?
We respond to every pitch (no ghosting!)
Fair pay, transparent rates
Accessible editorial process
We have a soft spot for the West Side (although we love the South Side too).
What We Cover
We focus on West Side stories that matter to the people living them:
Community & Culture. Hyperlocal news, neighborhood happenings, local artists and venues, the stuff that makes your block unique.
Systems & Justice. Criminal justice reform, educational equity, healthcare access, civic participation—stories about how power works and who it serves.
Solutions & Voices. Grassroots problem-solving, innovative community approaches, and perspectives from people who rarely make headlines (including our 55+ residents).
If it affects communities west of Chicago and isn't getting enough attention, pitch it.
Pay Transparency
While we are a fairly new newsroom, we want to hit the ground running in how we believe people should be treated.
Writing
For writers with fewer than 3 bylines (clips or professional writing samples), we pay $160 per story (500-800 words).
For writers with 3 or more bylines, we pay $200 per story (600-1,000 words).
Photography
For new and experienced photographers you can review our rate card.
Translation
For translation, we pay $0.12/word.
Reimbursements
For assignments requiring travel outside of Chicago city limits or more than 30 minutes of transit, transportation costs will be fully reimbursed, including travel to and from the venue. If overnight travel is necessary, hotel accommodations and airfare will also be covered.
All reimbursements must be pre-approved and submitted with itemized receipts. If you anticipate travel costs, please reach out in advance to confirm coverage.
News Accessibility Study
If you are an individual with disabilities, neurodivergence, and/or someone who speaks languages other than English, we are conducting a news accessibility study and are paying participants $25 for approximately 15 minutes of their time. Please email us to participate.
Volunteering
If you're interested in volunteering your time instead of receiving compensation, please let us know.
Corrections
If you believe 15 West has published inaccurate information:
Submit a request for corrections here.
For more info or to read our corrections policy, click here.
We are closed for pitches until February 2026.
When Pitching 15 West
Keep it to the point. Tell us a little about yourself. If you've been published before, share links or point us to a website. We'll do our best to get back to you within one week.
We're currently prioritizing shorter-form content (500-1000 words).
Not sure how to structure your pitch? We got you.
What are journalists missing in our community? We want to hear from you stories@luckyjefferson.com.
Got a lead on corruption, misconduct, or something that needs investigating? Something out of the ordinary or spicy? Send that to (or request our Signal) tips@luckyjefferson.com.
We, too, are working journalists and hate the silent treatment and harm that everyday journalists experience.
We prioritize original journalism and community stories over promotional content. Every pitch will receive a response, and we will update this page when we are temporarily closing our inbox to accepting new story ideas.
We are closed for pitches until February 2026.
