First, thank you for your continued support of our community newspaper. Our readers and advertisers literally make this publication a reality, and it would be impossible without you.
The Ford County Chronicle is now recognized as the best large nondaily newspaper in the entire state of Illinois. In 2025, we again competed in the highest circulation division in the Illinois Press Association’s annual Excellence in News Contest — despite our circulation numbers putting the Chronicle on the lower end of the mid-sized nondaily division — and, this time, we won. As the contest’s winner in the large nondaily division, we were awarded the coveted Will Loomis Memorial Trophy, which sits behind my desk in my downtown Paxton office.
The Ford County Chronicle’s first edition was published July 1, 2020.
We also are holding steady on circulation with almost 1,000 print subscribers. I would hope that this is a testament to the quality of our product and readers’ satisfaction that we are doing the best job we can to keep you covered with local news that you want to read. That is our goal.
We hope you will continue to read the Chronicle every week. Again, without you, this newspaper would not be possible.
With that said, the cost of a subscription to the Chronicle’s print edition is going up. Effective Sept. 1, 2025, annual print subscriptions will cost $104, up from $78 previously.
The $26 increase will bring the price paid by our readers in line with the price we pay our printer and the U.S. Postal Service. Since the day the Chronicle began offering subscriptions five years ago, readers have been paying far less than we have just for the paper, ink and mailing of the Chronicle each week. As a result, we have relied on our advertising revenue to support not just the salaries of our staff but the printing and mailing of the newspaper, too. The subscription rate increase means the cost of the paper is now covered — by the reader.
This rate increase has been a long time coming. We actually considered increasing rates a year earlier but opted not to, realizing that many others in our community were struggling, too. With recent losses in advertising revenue compounded by increases in mailing fees, we had no choice, though, but to move forward with the rate increase this time.
As stated in last year’s subscription renewal notice: “We will get by yet again this year, I hope.”
Also as stated last year, we are again asking for donations from those who wish to give one toward the cause of community journalism and supporting our award-winning newspaper. If you so desire, please consider writing a little extra on your check. It would help.
With the increase in print subscription rates, the per-copy price of the Chronicle at newsstands is increasing, as well, from $1.50 to $2. At $2 per week over 52 weeks, the newsstand price equals the $104 price of a yearly subscription.
Again, we appreciate you so much for reading our newspaper. Your subscription fees will help tremendously, as will any donations we may receive. It takes a community to do this, and we love this community. We live here. We work here. This is home.
Again, your support of the Chronicle is greatly appreciated. Much love.
Will Brumleve is co-publisher and news editor of the Ford County Chronicle and president of Ford County Chronicle LLC. He can be reached at will@fordcountychronicle.com or 217-781-4607.