Local Media Pitch Specialist — Illinois (Chicago metro focus)

Project overview I run a website that helps Illinois residents find hard-to-get DMV appointments faster (walk-in slots, wait time info, appointment finder tools). We're looking for a hyper-local PR/media specialist to pitch this story to local Illinois news outlets — TV, radio, local news sites, and newspapers, with a focus on Chicago and surrounding suburbs. We've done this successfully once before in another state: a single round of local press pickup drove a significant, measurable spike in both traffic and paying signups. We want to replicate that result in Illinois. What we need Research and build a target list of relevant local IL outlets and reporters (local TV news, radio, city/regional newspapers, local news blogs/aggregators) — especially ones that cover consumer tips, service journalism, or local government/DMV-adjacent stories Write and customize pitch angles for different outlet types (e.g., "how to skip the DMV line" consumer-tip framing for TV/lifestyle segments, vs. a more service-journalism angle for local papers) Directly pitch reporters/producers via email and any other channels appropriate (not just a mass press release blast) Track outreach (who was contacted, when, response/status) and report back regularly Ideally, help refine the story angle based on what's worked for similar local human-interest/consumer-tip stories in the past Ideal candidate Proven experience pitching local/regional media specifically — national or purely tech-press experience is not a fit for this project Existing relationships with Chicago-area or Illinois local news desks strongly preferred Can show past media placements/clips (not just "outreach sent") — please include links or examples in your application Comfortable working independently with light day-to-day direction Bonus: experience with consumer/local-government service stories (DMV, parking, permits, local bureaucracy angles) To apply, please include: 2-3 examples of local media placements you've secured (links preferred) A one-paragraph pitch angle idea for this story, off the top of your head Your proposed approach/timeline for building an IL outlet list and starting outreach