Paddock Publications Closes 13 Illinois Newspapers, Expanding State News Deserts
Paddock Publications has ceased operations for at least 13 of its 20 Illinois newspapers this month, citing declining staff and economic pressures. The move creates five new “news desert” counties in the central and southern regions of the state, further reducing local access to professional journalism as the company moves to consolidate its remaining assets.
Did You Know? The Strengthening Community Media Act, which took effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2025, mandates that news organizations provide 120 days of notice for potential sales but does not impose the same notification requirements for closures or consolidations.
Impact on Illinois News Deserts
The closure of these 13 publications has expanded the number of news deserts in Illinois. According to the 2025 State of Local News Report from Medill, Gallatin, Hamilton, Johnson, Pulaski, and Saline counties are now classified as news deserts, defined as areas lacking any locally based source of professional news. These additions mean that more than half of Illinois’ 102 counties now have either no local news source or only one remaining outlet.
Reasons for the Consolidations
In notices published within final print editions, Paddock Publications attributed the closures to an “evolving media landscape” and economic challenges. The company noted that rising costs for materials such as paper and gas, alongside staffing declines, prompted the decision. Subscribers to the shuttered papers have been redirected to the Pana News-Palladium, with the company stating it intends to focus on its niche division, Town Square Publications, and its remaining weekly newspapers in Downstate Illinois.
Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the consolidation of local news outlets into broader regional publications often creates a significant information void. While businesses prioritize operational sustainability amidst rising material costs, the shift away from community-specific reporting limits the ability of residents to track local government and civic affairs, potentially weakening the foundational accountability of local institutions.
What May Happen Next
The media landscape in Illinois may continue to shift as Paddock Publications moves toward the sale of its Arlington Heights-based Daily Herald to Tribune Publishing. That sale, announced in May, is scheduled to close on June 22. Industry analysts expect that as independent outlets like The Heartland Newsfeed continue to track these closures, there may be increased pressure on lawmakers to revisit notification requirements for media consolidations, given that current laws do not apply to the shuttering of local newsrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which newspapers have ceased operations?
According to public notices reviewed by Medill’s Local News Initiative, the Golden Prairie News, the Ramsey News-Journal, the McLeansboro Gazette, the Vienna Times, the Blue Mound Leader, Northwestern News, the Girard Gazette, the Virden Recorder, the Nokomis Free Press-Progress, Monday’s Pub, The Harrisburg Daily Register, The Marion Republican, and the Gallatin Democrat have all closed.
What will happen to current subscribers?
Paddock’s notices indicate that subscribers will continue to receive existing Paddock newspapers from neighboring counties, such as the Pana News-Palladium, following the consolidation.
Is the sale of the Daily Herald affected by these closures?
The sale of the Daily Herald to Tribune Publishing is separate from the closures of the 13 smaller newspapers. The Daily Herald sale remains scheduled for a June 22 closing.
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