In the seventies, the organization became defunct. In 1984 and 1985 conferences were held at Illinois State University, and the 1986 conference returned to Eastern Illinois. The 1987-91 conferences were held at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Chicago, which enabled the city's working journalists to take time off from their busy schedules to give seminars and presentations to student journalists who attended. Membership is open to all four-year colleges in the State of Illinois. Other benefits include access to free legal advice and newsletter updates.
Membership is good for the calendar year.