Investigate Midwest (previously The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting) is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public as a watchdog over influential agricultural corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism.
Our history and mission
Started in 2009 by journalist Mike Sherry, Investigate Midwest provides training and education for students, professional journalists and citizens to better understand agribusiness and its impact locally, regionally and globally. Investigate Midwest uses both traditional and innovative digital tools and techniques to analyze data about agribusiness and distribute the results.
Our partners and memberships
Investigate Midwest collaborates with journalism programs, nonprofit newsrooms, and independent media outlets. It is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News, LION Publishers, IRE, Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, North American Agricultural Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
How we’re funded
Investigate Midwest has federal 501(c)3 status and thus donations are tax deductible.
Investigate Midwest is generously supported by the Reva and David Logan Foundation. Investigate Midwest has also received support from: the Lumpkin Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, David and Elizabeth Steinglass and the Gary Marx Journalism Fund. It is further supported by Arnold Ventures in Houston, with past support from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in Chicago and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation in Oklahoma City.
The Trust Project
Investigate Midwest is a member of The Trust Project and supports efforts to increase transparency and trust in journalism. As part of this commitment, the newsroom displays specially designed Trust Indicators on its stories to help readers assess the credibility and reliability of the reporting. These indicators provide insight into journalistic standards, sources, and methods used in investigative reporting. For more information, visit TheTrustProject.org.
How to reach us
Mail: 701 Devonshire Dr., Ste. C-33, Champaign, IL 61820
Email: staff@investigatemidwest.org
Phone: (312) 970-0395
Republish our work
Unless otherwise noted, Investigate Midwest’s stories, original photos, and graphics are available for republication under specific conditions. Read more about that here.
Our team
Erin Orr
Executive Editor
Ben Felder
Editor-in-Chief
Lauren Cross
Assistant Editor / Audience Engagement Manager
Sky Chadde
Senior Investigative Reporter
John McCracken
Investigative Reporter
Mónica Cordero
Investigative Reporter / Report for America
Jennifer Bamberg
Illinois Government Reporter
Juan Vassallo
Investigative Reporter
Dave Dickey
Columnist
Information about our board of directors can be found here.
Current fellow and interns
Juleanna DeShetler
Audience Engagement Intern
Melissa Dai
Reporting Intern
More on our internships
Gary Marx Journalism Fund Fellows and Interns
Chicago reporter David Jackson established the Gary Marx Journalism Fund to honor a trusted newsroom colleague and to inspire a new generation of investigative reporters. Gary Marx began his career as a war correspondent in Africa, uncovered human rights abuses in Latin America and then returned to Chicago to expose prison murders, local political corruption and sexual violence against public school students. David and Gary collaborated on several important Chicago Tribune projects. Created in 2019, the Fund gives out $50,000-to-$100,000 annually to support paid newsroom internships, IRE/NICAR training and scholarships for Columbia College Chicago journalism students.
See our alums here.
