Since our launch in March of 2008 Progress Illinois has been supported financially via a sponsorship from the SEIU Illinois State Council.  Their generous committment to this project allowed us to hit the ground running during our first 20 months online.  As a result, we've been able to focus our attention on crafting a quality editorial product and cultivating a growing audience.  

While SEIU will remain our main source of support in the coming years, we are also exploring new revenue opportunities with the ultimate goal of greater financial sustainability.  We are taking our first step in that direction this week by announcing the sale of advertising on the site.

Interests groups and campaigns trying to build their brand or spread their message among Illinois progressives and political professionals can gain direct access to those readers -- and many more -- on Progress Illinois.  Since September 1, we have averaged over 28,000 unique visitors per week and anticipate increased traffic as the campaign season ramps up.

We are currently selling banner advertising on a weekly basis. Additional inventory and options will be made available in early 2010 when we unveil a redesign of the site (more on that to come).  

If you are interested in receiving more details about our advertising program, including a rate card, please contact Josh Kalven at the following address: josh (at) progressillinois (dot) com.

UPDATE: As an aside, here's an interesting article from the Online Journalism Review about other local news sites receiving financial support from the labor community.