IV. Who is covered

Illinois is only the state in the Seventh Circuit to include a definitions section in its shield law. The Illinois statute defines the terms reporter, news medium and source.

Reporter is defined as:

"any person regularly engaged in the business of collecting, writing or editing news for publication through a news medium on a full-time or part-time basis; and includes any person who was a reporter at the time the information sought was procured or obtained."

735 ILCS 5/8-902(a) (West 2001).

News medium is defined as:

"any newspaper or other periodical issued at regular intervals whether in print or electronic format and having a general circulation; a new service whether in print or electronic format; a radio station; a television station; a television network; a community antenna television service; and any person or corporation engaged in the making of news reels or other motion picture news for public showing.

735 ILCS 5/8-902(b) (West 2001).

Source is defined as the person or means from or through which the news or information was obtained. 735 ILCS 5/8-903(c) (West 2001). See Alexander v. Chicago Park District, 548 F. Supp. 277-78 (N.D. Ill. 1982) (finding that a reporter's personal observations is not considered "source material" for purposes of constitutional protection).