Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The organization that includes Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal is becoming a non-profit.

“Fletcher Farrar is transitioning himself…he will no longer be the owner of Central Illinois Communications, a.k.a. all our various publications.  That will transfer in to the new non-profit, Local Journalism Matters,” said Michelle Ownbey, publisher. When the transition happens April 1, Ownbey will become Executive Editor of the papers.  Farrar, meanwhile, will become chairman of the board overseeing the non-profit.

It’s the latest journalism venture that has turned to not-for-profit status across the country, as a way to increase sustainability and viability.

With the change to the “Local Journalism Matters” organization, Ownbey says, there will be a new CEO.

“Her name is Kate McKenzie,” said Ownbey.  “She has been, most recently, serving as the director of development for NPR Illinois.  I would say there’s probably a lot of overlap between our audience and the NPR audience.  She has a really good blend of both donor relations, which is what she’s doing now, and journalism.  She previously worked at the State Journal-Register in an editorial capacity.”

No jobs are being lost during the transition, Ownbey said.  She was a recent guest on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.