SW Illinois to suffer loss of Illinois Business Journal

MASCOUTAH — After a quarter-century (and change) in business, another downstate Illinois publication will close its doors.

The Illinois Business Journal is closing effective Friday, July 31, according to an announcement from Managing Editor Melissa Meske on Monday.

The decision was made by owner Better Newspapers Inc. The difficult decision was necessary due to ongoing declines in revenue across the board, according to the company.

The Illinois Business Journal covered news relating to businesses, industry, and nonprofits across southwestern Illinois. The publication would also have an extended reach in the Metro-East portion of the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

“Please continue supporting the local news outlets that are still surviving in our region,” Meske said. “I share a very heartfelt thanks to all of you for providing us at the IBJ with the experience of a lifetime for more than a quarter century.”

The Illinois Business Journal closure is the first closure by Better Newspapers Inc.

First (known) newspaper closure for Better Newspapers in Illinois for 2026

The Illinois Business Journal’s closure falls nearly two months following the closure of 13 newspapers last month by Paddock Publications, including seven in Central Illinois.

Paddock’s decision to close those newspapers came in the aftermath of the Daily Herald’s sale to Tribune Publishing.

Heartland Newsfeed offers to pick up where IBJ leaves off

Businesses, municipalities, industrial companies and organizations, and nonprofits in the region are more than welcome to submit news items to us at [email protected]. The same applies to advertising inquiries.

We extend our condolences to the loss of another print publication in the state of Illinois. Heartland Newsfeed will strive to fill the gap that will be left by this publication’s shuttering.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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