CLASS 01 - GENERAL EXCELLENCE produced editorial; strong sports page on Division D funny: “The writer makes concise points April 19, but July 7 edition was all AP; little and is able to keep the reader’s attention Division A editorial color; strong front page on 7/7 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Carbon- throughout.” edition; Losing Illinois coverage impres- dale, Molly Parker. Public housing issues in 2nd Place: Village Free Press, Oak Park, 1st Place: Village Free Press, Oak Park. “A s i v e .” Southern Illinois and beyond: “Good focus Michael Romain. Maywood Needs To tremendous example of community based Honorable Mention: The Commer- of topic as it relates to public awareness of Ditch Stipends And Get A Clue About journalism. The enterprise reporting keeps cial-News, Danville. “Like treatment of your public housing situation.” Development: “Writer makes good, well the focus on the residents, while placing obits; wish there was local presence on 2nd Place: Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, informed points in a very easy-to-read some issues in a larger context. The Fred editorial page; clever monster ad; color Staff. Unity in the rebuilding effort: “This manner. Brevity should be considered, Hampton piece was excellent.” sports photos excellent; good clean design was a nice collection of stories that drew however.” 2nd Place: The Woodstock Independent. and use of color in ads; need more local the reader in.” 3rd Place: The Woodstock Independent, “Great headlines and nice, clean layout. coverage; good community page.” 3rd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Larry Lough. Thanks for the rebate, but ...: Great news writing.” Staff. Bright Christmas series: “A very well “The writer makes some very good points 3rd Place: The Sidell Reporter. “Overall Division E meaning effort to help those in need in the in a clear and concise way.” very strong.” community.” Honorable Mention: The Woodstock Honorable Mention: Peoria County 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig. “Solid Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, Alton, Independent, Larry Lough. Senseless trag- Chronicle. “The January 23, 2019, issue is newspaper representing its community on Staff. Truly Local: “A great variety of local edy requires response; Best interest of the especially strong.” many fronts. Easy read throughout. Great stories that highlight community spirit.” child: “This editorial has a lot of potential to see local content throughout!” but the closing is pretty anti-climactic. Division B 2nd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur. Division E It just stands there and doesn’t call the “House demolition in-depth story was reader to take a strong stand.” 1st Place: The Galena Gazette. “Excellent comprehensive. Strong front page draws in 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, packaging. Tell me more about Galena, readers. Solid design throughout publi- Staff. Homelessness in Champaign-Urba- Division B otherwise this paper could be from any- cation. Comprehensive sports coverage. na: “News-Gazette made the homeless- where. Show us the uniqueness of Galena.” Really enjoyed the Thumbs Up, Thumbs ness problem real by digging deep into the 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Hillary 2nd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro. “A Down editorial format.” problem and telling the story from the per- Dickerson and Carter Newton. It’s time to classic, with thorough and comprehensive 3rd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake. spective of the victims of homelessness.” talk about conflicts of interest:“Proof that a coverage. The tradition of this paper shines “Clean, consistent presentation. Good 2nd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal good editorial needn’t be wordy. From the through.” local content and good sports offerings.” Lake, Staff. Fralick investigation: “When heading to the lede graph to the closing, 3rd Place: The Enterprise, Plainfield. “Ex- 4th Place: The Pantagraph, Bloomington. the school wasn’t forthcoming about facts it had the needed transition and impact. cellent news coverage and packaging.” “State Farm coverage comprehensive. Sol- involving a former high school football Bam!” Honorable Mention: Republic-Times, id presentation overall. Good mix of local, coach accused of grooming a teen girl for 2nd Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Waterloo. “You got a lot of the ‘community’ regional and national content. I applaud sexual abuse, the Northwest Herald filed Lannom. Time to stop dreaming of parking into your paper and a lot of the community Bill Flick column - straightforward look a series of FOIA requests. The resulting solution: “Good editorial with salient members. Looks like you have a strong at the community. Strong sports commit- stories prompted the Illinois Legislature points about cost increases and delays in a community connection. Let more of the ment.” to consider a proposal that would force project that voters thought would happen personality and uniqueness of your com- schools to identify staffers accused of but hasn’t. It’s often up to the newspaper munity be shown.” Division F being sexual predators.” to call local government on the carpet, and 3rd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Staff. this is a good example of how to do it.” Division C 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times. “Great con- Together Decatur: “The Herald & Review 3rd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, tent and good-looking paper. The stories swam against the tide of negativity on so- Journal-News Editorial Board. Focus On 1st Place: Austin Weekly News, Chicago. were well-written, and I kept flipping from cial media and produced a series of stories What Brings Us Together: “Two well writ- “The Caroline Olsen photo on the front is page to page with each story and impres- highlighting the good that people do.” ten editorials on consolidation, but liked pure magic. THAT is a top photo, pure and sive layout.” Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, this one better. Good approach: ‘Focus on simple. Overall clean look, well organized, 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington Champaign, Debra Pressey and Tracy what brings us together’ rather than simply good use of graphics on front. Great use Heights. Crane. For your health: “The News-Gazette preaching about need for consolidation.” of blocking in photos and stories, easy to brought readers weekly articles about Honorable Mention: The Hinsdalean, Pa- navigate. Good use of lines to break up CLASS 02 - COMMUNITY SERVICE health care topics, often about new and mela Lannom. Larger Central pool might stories. Nice use of shade boxes instead of unusual angles because the reporting was sink relationships: “Having a voice on lines to draw attention to sidebars. Break- Division A in response to readers’ suggestions.” issues like this matters, and you did a good out quotes easy to read, enhance story. job explaining it and stating your point. Caroline Olsen did not have a bad photo 1st Place: The Marion Republican, Division F When some say newspapers don’t matter, in the entire issue, absolutely a storyteller Marion, Holly Kee. Heaven’s Kitchen this is proof they do.” of a photographer. Max Herman’s photos Marion:“Great articles and an on-going 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Frank also enhance stories and are powerful. Use community service. Nice to see the collab- Main, Colin McNulty, WBEZ Chicago. Mo- Division D of graphics is visually wonderful in stories oration between two communities and the tive, Frank Main, Colin McNulty: “Wow. used in, nice job on layout squad. Cons: Be involvement of a state senator.” There’s nothing else to say. This series tells 1st Place: The Beacon-News, Aurora, consistent on borders on photos. Front- 2nd Place: Cass County Star-Gazette, the story so thoroughly and from so many Anne Halston. Editorials following Aurora page banners should be across entire Beardstown, Janet Martin. Cass County angles that I feel like I know these people warehouse shooting. bottom or centered; too many full-page Food Pantry: “Great short-term project, now. I marvel at the effort and time that 2nd Place: The Commercial-News, Dan- ads running congruently.” with much success.” went into this production.” ville, Larry Smith. Local Editorial. 2nd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb. “Pros: 3rd Place: Oakland Independent, Janice 2nd Place: Belleville News-Democrat, 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Eric Nice magazine, open style presentation; Hunt. Sending out an SOS: “Lots of excel- Beth Hundsdorfer, Gary Dotson, George Olson. TIF money put to good use. no wasted space, every inch of the issues lent information, photos and call to action. Pawlaczyk. Murders in East St. Louis: “This Honorable Mention: Effingham Daily are utilized to max effectiveness; well orga- Would love to hear how successful this is a GREAT, important story, and it pains News, Jeff Long. Effingham Daily News nized, easy to navigate. effort was.” me to put it 2nd. I was drawn in immedi- editorial. Cons: Headers on the side a nice idea, but Honorable Mention: Oakland Indepen- ately and literally read all of it non-stop like do not reproduce in action; need borders dent, Janice Hunt. Something to Smile it was a best-selling novel. It gets silver only Division E on each photo; keep ‘briefs’ in one area About: “Always great to see positive news because the Thaddeus Jimenez story is so instead of spread out through issue.” and a shout out to those who do great vast. If I could give 2 firsts, I would.” 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, things in a community.” 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Stephanie Eric Olson. Crystal Lake boy’s death could Division D Zimmermann. GI Bill failures, broken have been prevented: “The details about Division B promises, Stephanie Zimmermann, Chi- the boy’s circumstances easily sold the call 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan. “Strong cago Sun-Times: “I won’t get political in a to action.” editorial page, headlines excellent; anni- 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Lan- contest judging platform, and will simply 2nd Place: The State Journal-Register, versary article on derecho was very good; nom, Ken Knutson & Jim Slonoff. Making say ‘thank you’ for telling this important Springfield, Our View: Solutions to home- loved the taste, sports and business sec- a Difference: “Interesting series of stories story.” lessness can’t fall by the wayside: “Setting tions; good balance of local and national that shows the American Legion’s impact Honorable Mention: Chicago Sun-Times, the scene with Thanksgiving, which is stories; good to see front page is all local on the community over 100 years.” Chicago Sun-Times staff. Chicago Sun- relatable for everyone, provides a strong coverage; snake road photos powerful.” 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Staff. Con- Times Letters to Santa program 2019: move toward addressing the community’s 2nd Place: Effingham Daily News. “Pow- nected: Creating Fiber Optic Communi- “Hats off for this wonderful program!” homelessness.” erful story on page 1; strong editorial page, ties: “Comprehensive coverage of big issue 3rd Place: Sauk Valley Media, Pam Egge- with local columnists; coverage of arts in in many areas. Well written and designed.” CLASS 03 - LOCAL EDITORIAL meier. The right leader at the right time: addition to sports; excellent photos, use of 3rd Place: The Galena Gazette, Staff. -Un “Editorial encapsulates the essence of color effective.” sung heroes: “Great series of stories honor- Division A the former mayor. The recognition of the 3rd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville. ing the volunteers in the community.” financial scandal by one of his friends and “Love the April 19 masthead; need more 1st Place: The Woodstock Independent, him reporting illustrates his outstanding local content on front page; no staff Larry Lough. Political speech not always character as a human being. I can tell he Page 2 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 19 - PHOTO SERIES - Division A 1st Place: The Woodstock Indepen- CLASS 19 - PHOTO SERIES - Division B 1st Place: The Journal-News, dent, Ken Farver. Hillsboro, Staff

CLASS 19 - PHOTO SERIES - Division D 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, CLASS 19 - PHOTO SERIES - Division E 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crys- Mark Busch. tal Lake, Matthew Apgar.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 3 loved his community.” Division D Tyler Burr. Divorcing Cook County?: “I offers artist haven: “I love this series. I Honorable Mention: Herald & Review, think this is an excellent series because it imagine you could have done more than a Decatur, Herald & Review editorial board. 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- tackled an important and interesting topic. four-part.” Celebration editorials: “The presentation bondale, Shawn Anglin, Marilyn Halstead. It also included an intro, correlating head- of the news team’s work on digging for an- Searching for justice: Ryan Livingston. line and other key components.” Division F swers about the celebration and then the 2nd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Eric Honorable Mention: The Woodstock call for involvement by the editorial team Olson, Katrina J.E. Milton, Aimee Barrows. Independent, Larry Lough. Where’s the 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Stephanie is community journalism at its best.” Homes up in flames. fire referendum?: “This is a nice, short Zimmermann. GI Bill failures, broken 3rd Place: The Register-Mail, Galesburg, series that helps readers understand more promises: “Written beautifully and clearly, Division F Robert Connelly. Knox County drug court complicated town proceedings.” the personal stories detailed in this story graduate relapses. are what make the reporting so impact- 1st Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington Honorable Mention: The Register-Mail, Division B ful. This is an excellent example of the Heights, Diane Dungey. Diane Dungey Galesburg, Robert Connelly, Tom Loewy. difference thorough reporting can make in Editorials. Police nab 2 after bank robbery. 1st Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- America.” 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington go, Kevin Beese. Westlake hospital. 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Heights, Daily Herald Editorial Board. The Division E 2nd Place: Republic-Times, Waterloo, Angie Leventis Lourgos. Abortion in Illi- Urgency of Fighting Climate Change. James “Tal” Moss, Corey Saathoff, Scott nois: “Clear reporting focused on impact. 3rd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington 1st Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Chris Kaer- Woodsmall. Trooper’s death and after- The toriess found that serve as the ledes in Heights, Pete Nenni. Pete Nenni Editorials. gard, Andy Kravetz, Phil Luciano. Schock math. these pieces draw out emotional responses Honorable Mention: Chicago Sun-Times, charges dropped: “Top-notch investigative 3rd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- from the reader, then pair the emotion Tom McNamee, Chicago Sun-Times. reporting. I liked the play the newspaper go, Kevin Beese. Gambling. with clean-cut reporting of facts.” “Pushing for a new mayor and holding her gave it. Good photography.” Honorable Mention: The Journal-News, 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, accountable,” Tom McNamee. 2nd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Hillsboro, Tori O’Dell. Kirn Wildhaber Staff. Henry Pratt Mass Shooting and Lake, Katie Smith, Kristen Zambo. Peggy Finds Match In Unexpected Way. Illinois’ Failure in Gun Revocations: “An CLASS 04 - NEWS REPORTING - Lynn Johnson: “This is a prize-winner. excellent mix of breaking news coverage SINGLE STORY Excellent, excellent writing pulled me in. Division D that leads into more in-depth reporting. I loved all the stories her friends told - Writing is clear, concise and compelling.” Division A their love shines through the tragic parts, 1st Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Honorable Mention: Belleville and they are nicely interspersed with the Staff. Losing Illinois: “This has everything News-Democrat, Staff. Coverage of state 1st Place: Morris Herald-News, Marney necessary gruesome details. Very, very a good news article should have, ... and trooper shooting in East St. Louis: “Ex- Simon. “I have to fight for her”: “Excellent good work, well edited, nicely played on more. Not only the in-depth writing on a cellent breaking news coverage that goes story on a tough subject. Well written fea- the page.” subject that affects everyone who reads the beyond the basic. Writing covers all the ture lead to get into the heart of the story.” 3rd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, paper, graphics, explainer boxes and pho- bases in detailing facts, but peppers in the 2nd Place: Bureau County Republican, Tony Reid. Reinforcing the child services tos, all tied up in an orderly fashion. This is emotional human angle of this death.” Princeton, Kevin Hieronymus. Remember- safety net: “A powerful, tragic story, well perhaps the longest run-on sentence ever ing Roger: “This story told every angle of researched. I think I’d have led off with the but this series was well done!” CLASS 06 - STORY SERIES - this man’s life and the reader could picture child’s tragic life; then, after hooking the 2nd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Staff. LOCALIZED NATIONAL STORY who this man was.” reader, get into the legal system and other Flood of 2019: “As a reporter also in the 3rd Place: Oakland Independent, Janice systems that failed. You worked hard on Midwest, I know the challenges of covering Division A Hunt. Driving the point home: “Excellent. this.” something to this scale. This was nicely Well written. Definitely drives home the Honorable Mention: Journal Star, Peoria, done, so much so that I saw the emotional 1st Place: The Navigator, Albion, Tyler point.” Leslie Renken. School clinic a lifeline: element of the flooding through the writ- Burr. Farmers optimistic facing Trump Honorable Mention: Suburban Chroni- “Excellent. Strong lead, good quotes. I ing and photos. The dedication to coverage trade war with China. cle, Geneva, Staff. We are in this together; couldn’t stop reading. Good idea to really of the subject was much appreciated and 2nd Place: Kendall County Record, Dismal turns deadly. delve into a high school’s health clinic.” well performed.” Yorkville, Katie Finlon. Area lawmakers, 3rd Place: Lake County News-Sun, clinicians react to Reproductive Health Act Division B Division F Gurnee, Emily Coleman. Reports of abuse vote. filed more than a year before action taken 3rd Place: The Woodstock Independent, 1st Place: Republic-Times, Waterloo, 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Stephanie against school employees: “As sad as the Larry Lough. Always assessing security; James “Tal” Moss. Complaints abound Zimmermann. Car insurance roulette: subject is, this story got more and more Parents say schools are safe. at senior home: “Great use of quotes and “Good, innovative story idea to research interesting to me as I went through it. Not Honorable Mention: Bureau County sources. Easy to follow and an interesting rates, and told clearly in a way that reso- only does that show good, solid writing but Republican, Princeton, Goldie Rapp. read.” nates with readers.” the articles present all the info in an order Princeton residents share thoughts on 2nd Place: Des Plaines Journal, Lauren 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, that makes it easy for readers to compre- impeachment. Barry, Tom Robb, Tom Wessell. Robbery, Jeff Coen, Stacy St. Clair. How solitary hend.” Chase: “With the amount of information confinement drove a young inmate to the Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, Division B given in this article it could have easily brink of insanity: “Disturbing but import- DeKalb, Kelsey Rettke. DeKalb summer become confusing, but the writer does a ant look at how solitary confinement can fires: “Woah, this astounded me. I’m sure 1st Place: The Greenville Advocate, Emily great job of recounting the events of that create mental health issues.” reporting on such a sensitive subject was Rose. Battling His Demons: “Wonderfully evening in a concise and easy-to-follow 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, no easy task, but the end result turned written. This series does a great job at ex- way. Well done.” Stacy St. Clair, Jeff Coen. After power line out beautifully. As this went on, so many posing the opioid issues found within the 3rd Place: Republic-Times, Waterloo, injury, death, few protective steps taken: elements were added, fire, lawsuits and U.S., while also giving it a face. The writer Corey Saathoff. Man survives house “Interesting tale that blends an engaging what have you and it was all reported well. did well at telling the entire challenging explosion: “Good details, nice quotes from personal story about the young amputee’s The quotes obtained, the follow-through, journey Eli dealt with, without anything house owner and fire chief, recounts the life with a watchdog examination of the ....woah is all I can say.” becoming muddled.” events in a concise manner.” shortcomings of utility companies and 2nd Place: The Enterprise, Plainfield, Honorable Mention: Park Ridge Her- their regulators.” Division E Mark Gregory. D-DAY: “Nice job with this ald-Advocate, Jennifer Johnson. Teen hop- Honorable Mention: Belleville view of D-Day. It’s a refreshing look at his- ing to become paramedic credited with News-Democrat, Teri Maddox. Mascoutah 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, tory, accompanied with wonderful quotes, life-saving response: “Good use of quotes, residents still haunted by brutal murder of Staff. Guns and gangs: “A couple of the and paints a picture of his experience.” to-the-point story-telling while keeping it teens after prom 50 years ago: “Well-told stories - the court stories - seemed out of 3rd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- interesting, and informational.” story about a notorious local murder case place to me, but overall, I liked the series go, Kevin Beese. Government workers talk that probably still resonates with readers.” and the way it delved into the community of shutdown stress: “This has a strong vari- Division C to ask the questions.” ation of examples for how the shutdown CLASS 05 - NEWS REPORTING - SERIES 2nd Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Ethan affected people. Good quotes. Everything 1st Place: The Downers Grove, Westmont, Colbert, Matt Hopf, Edward Husar. Canna- is explained well and easy to follow.” Woodridge & Lisle Bugle, Ryan Ostry. Division A bis coming: “There were a few entries on Honorable Mention: Macoupin County NICO. cannabis ... and this is the one that I think Enquirer-Democrat, Carlinville, Jordan 2nd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, 1st Place: Village Free Press, Oak Park, Mi- truly covered the issue as a series. Good Grucza. Vaping, in-depth interview with Chicago, Karen Ann Cullotta, Jeremy chael Romain. Reporting on the tragedy of variety of stories that answers questions.” Gillespie High graduate: “Well done at Gorner. Suburban car thefts lead to violent the Stansberry family: “This is an excellent 3rd Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Ethan getting a local person as an example of crimes in Chicago. series that follows through on more than Colbert, Andrew Drea, Jason Lewton. what vaping can do to a person. Good use 3rd Place: The Downers Grove, Westmont, one important story involving one family.” Quincy Public Library a gem of the Gem of quotes and sources.” Woodridge & Lisle Bugle, Ryan Ostry. 2nd Place: Oregon Republican Reporter, City: “Love this series that takes a look at FIRE_CHIEF. Jeff Helfrich. Search for missing boaters: the role that a library continues to hold in Division D Honorable Mention: Austin Weekly News, “This series is a great example of a reporter its community.” Chicago, Michael Romain. A mural with a following an accident through.” Honorable Mention: Quincy Her- 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, message rises in Austin. 3rd Place: The Navigator, Albion, T.J. Hug, ald-Whig, Ethan Colbert. Arts Quincy Carbondale, Marilyn Halstead. “A vicious

Page 4 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 20 - SPOT NEWS PHOTO - Division A 1st Place: NewsProgress, CLASS 20 - SPOT NEWS PHOTO - Division B 1st Place: The Greenville Sullivan, Robert R. Best. Advocate, Dave Bell.

CLASS 20 - SPOT NEWS PHOTO - Division D 1st Place: The Southern Illi- CLASS 20 - SPOT NEWS PHOTO - Division E 1st Place: Northwest Herald, noisan, Carbondale, Gabriel Neely-Streit. Crystal Lake, Matthew Apgar.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 5 cycle”: Shortage of teachers causing trou- after the state law’s overhaul: “Wow. Great 2nd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- vak. Digging into Chicago City Hall. ble for local learning centers: “I appreciate research. Excellent interviews. Very infor- go, Kevin Beese. City of Chicago govern- Honorable Mention: Daily Herald Group, how thought-out and detailed this article mative and very well written.” ment coverage: “Good coverage on the Arlington Heights, Marie Wilson, Elena w a s .” 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Kelsey mayor induction and follow up. Great job Ferrarin, Pete Nenni. Pot or Not. 2nd Place: The Register-Mail, Galesburg, Rettke. Emails show rift between DeKalb at staying balanced with the police chief Robert Connelly. Fatal drug overdoses Clerk Fazekas, City Manager Nicklas: fired article. Good use of quotes.” CLASS 09 - BUSINESS/ECONOMIC REPORTING down in Knox County: “Great sources and “Excellent reporting. Solid editing. Great 3rd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, full in-depth piece. I wish there was more writing. A lot of work went into this and it Mary (Galer) Herschelman and Mike Division A of a human element - maybe a source who shows.” Plunkett. Montgomery County Board. has been affected by opioids personally.” Honorable Mention: Chicago Daily Law Honorable Mention: The Galena Gazette, 1st Place: Oakland Independent, Janice 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Kelsey Bulletin, Andrew Maloney. A look at Illi- Hillary Dickerson. City of Galena coverage. Hunt. Golf course closes with plans to Rettke. Reaction after lack of indictment: nois’ legal spending: “Good information, grow hemp: “Solid reporting on a story “This was well-written and concise.” but very dry. All these numbers should be Division C with multi-faceted angles. Staff does a Honorable Mention: Chicago Daily Law humanized somehow.” thorough job of explaining the options, Bulletin, Andrew Maloney. Pirate-ship 1st Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, getting quotes and input from various piracy case gets Chicago IP brief: “I think Division E Chicago, Genevieve Bookwalter. Evanston sources. Well done.” this is an interesting localization, though it City Council Coverage. 2nd Place: Woodford Chronicle, Eureka, was a bit long.” 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, 2nd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, Holly Eitenmiller. More young women Staff. Fralick Investigation. Chicago, Karen Ann Cullotta. Winnet- choosing the ag life: “Terrific lead. Very Division E 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- ka-Northfield Public Library District engaging tale of a life-changing experience paign, Julie Wurth. Emails: Prof’s absence coverage. in FFA.” 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, caused a stir. 3rd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, 3rd Place: Tazewell Chronicle, East Peoria, Jeff D’Alessio. 2020 Election Countdown: 3rd Place: Daily Southown, Tinley Park, Chicago, Anna Kim. Willow/Pfingsten Holly Eitenmiller. “We will make steel “News-Gazette assembled panels of local Zak Koeske. Redevelopment Plans: “A lot of detail is here”: “Strong lead. Good use of multiple experts to share their views as the 2020 Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, reported. I could feel the conflict and an- sources inside and out of company. Story election season began.” Champaign, Lyndsay Jones, Mary Schenk. ger with residents of the community. Very provides thorough insight on the business 2nd Place: The Pantagraph, Blooming- Examining Champaign schools’ misuse of nice supporting photos! I liked how they and its owner.” ton, Paul Swiech. Balming mental illness purchasing cards. supported the story despite the story being Honorable Mention: Bureau County for violence ‘dangerous’: “After so many reported on through meetings. I would Republican, Princeton, Goldie Rapp. mass shootings nationally, the Pantograph Division F encourage you to implement proper TCI launches fifth expansion in 19 years: talked to local people about the stigma of quotation of statements made by people. “Good use of sources. Strong photos. Nice mental health.” 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago That did appear to get better as the story breakout box on company’s history.” 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, Sun-Times staff. Corruption in Chicago: progressed. Good job with the detail and Julie Wurth. “Tree of Life” honors syna- “Holy cow. What a package of stories. communicating that to the reader.” Division B gogue shooting victims: “When a school This is a perfect example of upholding the administrator donated a tree of life mural public’s right to know. Fortunately, the Division D 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Ken Knutson to a local synagogue, it was a perfect op- stories were published before the election. and Pamela Lannom. Brewing in the portunity to localize the emotions after a Excellent work. It should make all journal- 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Kelsey burbs: “Loved reading it! Good photos shooter’s attack on another synagogue.” ists proud.” Rettke. DeKalb City clerk dispute: “Very matched well with the story. I was sold on Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, good coverage and follow-through on a wanting to visit the place.” Champaign, Julie Wurth. The trade war Staff. Henry Pratt Mass Shooting exposes story.” 2nd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, and the UI-China relationship: “News-Ga- flaws in Illinois’ gun revocation: “Good job 2nd Place: Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, Mary (Galer) Herschelman and Mike zette highlighted a university policy to covering a disturbing case and the system Owen Lasswell. Taylorville City Council Plunkett. Atlas 46 Is Now Producing In guard against international enrollment de- that permitted it.” coverage: “Great well rounded coverage of Hillsboro: “Photos are fair. Writing is clines following trade sanctions vs. China.” 3rd Place: Belleville News-Democrat, city issues. Good use of quotes through- descriptive.” Joseph Bustos. Owners of revoked Illinois o u t .” 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Ken Knut- Division F FOID cards must give up their guns. Fewer 3rd Place: Effingham Daily News, Dawn son. Business profile/The French Seam: than half do.: “Interesting story.” Schabbing. Effingham City Hall: “Good “Writing both narrative and expository. OK 1st Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Honorable Mention: Belleville detailed coverage. Good presentation of picture.” Alexis Cortes. In Illinois, kids have been News-Democrat, Hana Muslic. FOI stories: the situation to the reader.” Honorable Mention: The Galena Gazette, fatally shot at 10, faced gun charges at 12, “Good, solid beat work.” Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, Carter Newton. A very good day: “Creative prison at 16. Alton, Scott Cousins. Faccin, county board way to introduce the topic (picture and 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, CLASS 08 - GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING over access to info: “Good follow-through cutline). The cutline under the pic was the Bill Ruthhart. Election 2020. of coverage on a hot topic. Good presen- start for the story.” Division A tation to the reader of the situation as it CLASS 07 - FREEDOM OF INFORMATION unfolded as well.” Division C AWARD 1st Place: Clinton Journal, Gordon Woods. Opposition to wind energy proposal: Division E 1st Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, Division A “Covered both sides , impact on farmers, Chicago, Chuck Fieldman, Jennifer tax issue, lots of quotes, ordinance implica- 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Debo- Johnson, Alexandra Kukulka. The subur- 1st Place: Niles Journal, Tom Robb. Mayor tions. Very interesting. Good job.” rah Gertz Husar. Quincy Public Schools ban shopping mall isn’t going extinct. It’s Paid Village Back For Extra Trip: “While 2nd Place: Sandwich Record, Katie Finlon, coverage: “Thanks for getting out of the adapting.: “Excellent writing. Thorough this entry is a bit bogged down and didn’t Derek Barichello. Sandwich mayor resigns meetings and covering what is going on in look at what’s causing the death of the answer all of my questions, it still showed in wake of prostitution sting: “This doesn’t the schools!” shopping mall. Especially like the listing of the best work out of the group by using re- happen every day, well covered, impact on 2nd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Andy stores from days gone by. Well done.” cords to uphold the public’s right to know.” town, board, election, in depth, well done.” Kravetz. Government Beat Reporting: “Ap- 2nd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, 2nd Place: The Navigator, Albion, Staff. T.J. 3rd Place: The Lexingtonian, Don Caval- preciate the look at the numbers and what Chicago, Chuck Fieldman. Coverage of for- Hug. lini, Laurie Sleeter. Cannabis Comes to is going on in the community.” mer McDonald’s corporate headquarters 3rd Place: Kendall County Record, Lexington: “Cannabis is a new item for 3rd Place: The Herald-News, Joliet, Bob in Oak Brook: “Well written, investigative Yorkville, Katie Finlon. Changes an- many governments. Council had lots to Okon. City government beat reporting: writing.” nounced in FOID, concealed carry study and reporters gave the readers lots “Like the closer look approach and going 3rd Place: Austin Weekly News, Chicago, policies. on information to make their decision. out of the meeting.” Igor Studenkov. Two articles on the de- Honorable Mention: Plano Record, Katie Challenging topic” Honorable Mention: The Pantagraph, velopment of an old bank building on the Finlon. Officials: Plano students don’t have Honorable Mention: The Sidell Reporter, Bloomington, Kelsey Watznauer. Digi- West Side.: “Strong writing.” mumps virus. Rinda Maddox. Salt Fork School Board tal learning: “Like the look at this topic. coverage: “School boards face tough de- Interesting, would like to have seen it more Division D Division D cisions on budgets. Music or Math, Rinda in-depth.” Maddox did a good job or relating how 1st Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, important music is, the board did come up Division F Sarah Mansur. Law School Notes: “This Carbondale, Gabriel Neely-Streit. Illinois with a satisfying decision.” woman deserves a medal! This is quite the OEIG investigation of former SIU President 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, in-depth topic and you can tell by reading Randy Dunn: “The newspaper took a big Division B Jason Meisner, Gregory Pratt and Ray them all how much time was put into it. I swing with this one and hit a Long. Madigan’s Machine. thought this was well researched, a variety home run. Great research. Solid writing. A 1st Place: Naperville Sun, Erin Hegarty. 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, of sources used well and informative to very important issue to grab onto and keep Naperville city government: “A strong Jeremy Gorner, Gregory Pratt. Chicago po- those in the local community. It absolute- hold of until the very end.” variety of government meeting coverage. lice investigate dissenters at Police Board ly shows the importance of community 2nd Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Several good quotes used throughout each meetings. journalism.” David Thomas. FOIA Foibles: 10 years article.” 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Tim No- 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan,

Page 6 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 20 - SPOT NEWS PHOTO - Division F 1st Place: Belleville CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO - Division A 1st Place: Ledger-Senti- News-Democrat, Derik Holtmann. nel, Oswego, Shea Lazansky.

CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO - Division B 1st Place: The Jour- CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO - Division C 1st Place: The Downers nal-News, Hillsboro, Mike Plunkett. Grove, Westmont, Woodridge & Lisle Bugle, Ryan Ostry.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 7 Carbondale, Gabiel Neely-Streit. Plastic CLASS 10 - OBITUARY TRIBUTE 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, Division D problems: 400,000 pounds and counting: “I Noelle McGee. Former alderwoman re- love business articles that come across in a Division A called as trailblazer: “I liked the lead on the 1st Place: The Edwardsville Intelligencer, story format and this one did exactly that. It story, which shows how Bernadine Stake’s Matt Kamp. Tigers make mad dash to title: kept my interest, was profound and threw in 1st Place: Bureau County Republican, life made her community better. The use of “Good pictures (captures the action and facts and stats without being overbearing. Princeton, Kevin Hieronymus. Remem- supporting sources helped to make terms assists in telling the story). Story told well Nicely done!” bering Roger Swan: “Well done lead, and like “trailblazer” more appropriate. This is with illustrative details. Quotes move the 3rd Place: The Register-Mail, Galesburg, good use of multiple interviews to build a a fun read.” story. Felt like I was at the game.” Sam Lisec. Rural hospitals face challenges: portrait of Mr. Swan.” Honorable Mention: The Herald-News, 2nd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Kaleb “Pure talent for the intern right there. Well 2nd Place: Village Free Press, Oak Park, Joliet, Denise M. Baran-Unland. ‘He just Carter. Barb Olympics: “Picture draws the done in-depth article. Kudos!” Michael Romain. Albertine Alexander, Vil- had that will, I guess’: “This story gets at reader into the story. Story is written well Honorable Mention: Breeze-Courier, Tay- lage Inspiration, Dies: “Good job of putting the sort of person Ozzie Mitchell is, and it from start to finish and finishes nicely.” lorville, Owen Lasswell. Larry’s announces Ms. Alexander’s life in the larger context of brings the reader into the life of someone 3rd Place: The Commercial-News, Dan- sale to Neal Tire: “This is a nicely done busi- today’s society.” who they may have heard of or met but ville, Chad Dare. Redemption: “Pre-game ness feature, ...a “feel good” story surround- 3rd Place: Riverside-Brookfield Land- didn’t know.” story, fun to read and assists the reader in ed by facts and history of the business. It mark, Bob Uphues. Riverside mourns a desire to read more. Pictures are good. made me want to know these people and death of deputy fire chief: “Good job of Division F Quotes are selected with purpose and that’s a sign of a great article.” putting his life in the context of the com- intent.” munity.” 1st Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Teri Honorable Mention: Breeze-Courier, Division E Honorable Mention: Chenoa Town Crier, Maddox. East St. Louis woman who raised Taylorville, Owen Lasswell. Tornadoes top Luke Smucker, Laurie Sleeter. Manard 12 children and helped feed the hungry Trojans for 2nd straight 20-win season: 1st Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Phil Strike. dies at 105: “An incredible story about a “Good In-Game Feels, Quotes, Story Luciano. Rules Nix Frozen Pizza: “These beautiful soul. You captured her person- Jumped Well. Pictures are good (would pieces show the value of local journalism. Division B ality and took the readers through the have been nice to have photo of Odam). There’s an issue, the issue is interrogat- journey of her life. Outstanding.” OT game not as well described.” ed, it’s found to be stupid, and it’s fixed. 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Lan- 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Maureen Bravo. The columnist’s style helps this, nom. Preschooler’s short life filled with O’Donnell. ‘Margit Kirsche dies; Holocaust Division E too, because it allows for the right amount love: “Well written. Truly tells the story of survivor founded Skokie’s Hungarian of impoliteness to cut through official this little boy who didn’t speak.” Kosher Foods’: “What an amazing story. 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, statements and regulations that might 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Brandon Loved the lead.” Joe Stevenson, Sean Hammond. Rich- otherwise be too convoluted for the reader Behlke. Remembering Mr. Curry: “Good 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Maureen mond-Burton football wins title. to follow.” detail and anecdotes. Well done.” O’Donnell. ‘True love story,’ 2nd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Joey 2nd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Chris Kaer- 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Lan- Honorable Mention: Daily Herald Group, Wagner. ALAH’s Kenli Nettles wins three gard, Steve Tarter. Technology Opportuni- nom. Nick Chenier had a gift for connect- Arlington Heights, Robert Feder, Jim golds at Class 1A girls state track meet. ties: “This piece does a good job of putting ing. O’Donnell. Your Dime, His Dance Floor: 3rd Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Matt the possibility of a federal grant into a Honorable Mention: The Hinsdalean, Remembering Chet Coppock. Schuckman. Rally to remember. bigger context: what opportunities exist, Ken Knutson. Revord was “the ultimate Honorable Mention: The Times, Ottawa, where there is already innovation and half-full guy”. CLASS 11 - SPORTS NEWS Charlie Ellerbrock. Collet wins two titles in why it is important to Peoria. The lead was Charleston, claims distance triple. particularly good, too.” Division D Division A 3rd Place: NewsTribune, La Salle, Craig Division F Sterrett. Uncertain times at Mendota: “The 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, 1st Place: Ledger-Sentinel, Oswego, Josh- hustle is clear in these stories, as is the Carbondale, Molly Parker. Benton native ua Welge. Buzzer-beater rescues Oswego 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, presentation of facts about what is known, Brandon Pinson killed detonating IEDs East: “Good lede. Good word choice. Good Brad Biggs, Dan Wiederer, Rich Campbell. suspected, rumored and unknown. I imag- in Iraq: “A fitting tribute to a man who quotes. Well done.” Bears-Eagles playoff coverage: “Great team ine this was the story everyone was talking appeared to care more about others than 2nd Place: Glen Ellyn Suburban Life, effort on the play that defined the Bears’ about, and these stories show the value a himself. Nicely done.” Joshua Welge. Deandre Holliday’s huge season: a playoff field goal that caromed local journalist can bring to explaining a 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- pick-six sends Willowbrook to semifinals twice against the goalpost before bouncing story in clear terms.” bondale, Gabriel Neely-Streit. Bob Butler: for first time since 1975: “I like opening back onto the field, ending their season.” Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, ‘He was Marion’: “Love the treatment of angle of the history.” 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Champaign, Tracy Crane, Jeff D’Alessio, this layout/art on the front page with the 3rd Place: Bureau County Republican, Dan Wiederer. Andrew Luck retirement: Noelle McGee. Gambling expansion in Illi- big, bold headline. This story made me Princeton, Kevin Hieronymus. Perfect “Wrap-up captured the chaos and disbe- nois: “This series does a good job of taking wish I would have known the guy.” night for the perfect teammate: “Emotion- lief in the immediate aftermath of Andrew what might be 130 words in an Associated 3rd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, al night that came through in the writing.” Luck’s surprise retirement.” Press brief and diving into what gam- David C.L. Bauer, Rosalind Essig. A legacy Honorable Mention: Oakland Indepen- 3rd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington bling expansion will look like in the local passes: “Nice use of photos throughout dent, Janice Hunt. Leaping into the history Heights, Bruce Miles. Maddon Takes The community, including its financial value. the ages to illustrate the story. I especially books: “Good account of a historical Fall: “An interesting take on the ‘firing’ of In particular, I liked the look at how sports like the sidebar to give readers more if they outing. Did you... get these quotes over the one of baseball’s most interesting person- betting might change the relationship fans want it, but I don’t know about including dinner table? ;)” alities.” have with their teams.” those convoluted links. It may be more of a fit for online (and maybe it was there, too).” Division B CLASS 12 - SPORTS FEATURE Division F Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Matthew Wells. Many can lecture 1st Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. Division A 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Stephanie you, but he led: “Good length for a piece of Charles, Aimee Barrows. Aidan Carlson Zimmermann. Car insurance roulette: “A this kind. Nice job focusing more on how honored: “Fantastic job capturing the 1st Place: Village Free Press, Oak Park, Mi- really interesting investigative piece. Obvi- he made people feel than on his lengthy friendship and support of this team and chael Romain. How The 1969 State Champ ously, a lot of work went into the research, list of accomplishments.” the whole community.” Pirates Played Above The Rim: “Wonderful design and writing of this story.” 2nd Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Lan- tribute and look back. Good mix of current 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Division E nom. Friday night lights will be on again: quotes and contemporary accounts. One Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz. Farmers’ “nightmare” “This almost feels more like a news story, small suggestion I’d make: If you are going of a year: “The juxtaposition of young chil- 1st Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Phil Lucia- but it belongs on a sports page because of to stack quotes with changing speakers, dren who are the future of agriculture with no. Willie York the last of the great Peoria its impact on the community. Would like get the attribution in ASAP, first comma, so the discussion of the state of the industry players: “Willie York is the sort of person to see some comments from opponents of you don’t confuse the voice in the reader’s in Illinois is inspired. This story gives teeth who is often overlooked, or intentionally the referendum included as well.” mind.” to the numbers.” discarded by society. This tribute shows 3rd Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. 2nd Place: DuPage County Chronicle, 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, how this person contributed to the com- Charles, Joshua Welge. Sam Keller, Geneva Wheaton, Kevin Beese. White Sox hitting Robert Channick. Job losses in Belvidere: munity, even if not only positively, and continue surprising run with first sectional coach slugs through tough times: “An “Thorough reporting that dives into im- how he touched the lives of many, includ- title: “These are the types of stories readers interesting story that is told well.” pacts, both economic and personal.” ing the writer.” love. Nice job tying in the surprising victo- 3rd Place: Kendall County Record, Honorable Mention: Daily Herald Group, 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- ry with the end of coaching career angle.” Yorkville, Joshua Welge. Twenty Years Ago, Arlington Heights, Madhu Krishnamurthy. paign, Anthony Zilis. Teretha Johnson: Honorable Mention: Des Plaines Journal, Plano Dreamed the Dream: “Good lede. Suburban Malls Reinvent Themselves: 105 remarkable years: “The approach to Dion Martorano. Warriors Are State Well sourced story leading to good quotes.” “Excellent localization of a problem felt this story shows the way Teretha John- Champs: “Fantastic coverage. I appreci- Honorable Mention: The Woodstock Inde- across the US, thoroughly sourcing exam- son impacted peoples’ lives, The details ate the approaches to the season from all pendent, Sadny Kucharski. A wish come ples from across the Chicago suburbs.” in the storytelling show how Johnson is different angles. I docked this in placing true for Packers fan: “Well written. What a loved, and the writer does a good job of because I don’t feel it fits the category day for a young fan!” not ‘making a fuss’ by simply showing her parameters and would work better in #33 importance.” against similar sections.”

Page 8 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO - Division D 1st Place: The Telegraph, CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO - Division E 1st Place: The Her- Alton, John Badman. ald-News, Joliet, Eric Ginnard.

CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO - Division F 1st Place: Belleville CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO - Division A 1st Place: Piatt County Jour- News-Democrat, Derik Holtmann. nal-Republican, Monticello, Mike Heiniger.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 9 Division B CLASS 13 - FEATURE WRITING Division E J.E. Milton. Toyland, Toyland. 2nd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Ken Knutson. Division A 1st Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Don- Chicago, Genevieve Bookwalter. Evanston Freshmen making varsity waves: “Like the nette Beckett. Kitchen Ink. grandpa is first man to join hospital’s team subtle humor in this story, such as refer- 1st Place: Carmi Chronicle, Nicole Behn- 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- of volunteer baby cuddlers. ring to upperclassmen as “elders”, or the ke-Bullock. School at a Crossroads: “Writer paign, Noelle McGee. Life behind bars. 3rd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina lack of exposure to dry land. It makes any took a somewhat standard feature and 3rd Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Ethan J.E. Milton. Scrapper’s Paradise. story much more fun to read by all, not just made it a delight to read. I felt I was sitting Colbert. Mother speaks out after son’s Honorable Mention: Pioneer Press Media parents. Well written and presented.” with this wonderful couple. Good quotes, suicide. Group, Chicago, Chuck Fieldman. After 2nd Place: The Hinsdalean, Ken Knutson. good lead and organization.” Honorable Mention: Sauk Valley Media, seven continents, 85-year-old Clarendon Summer was sweet for Caroline: “Great 2nd Place: McLean Chronicle, Normal, Phillip Hartman. “Always us” – Havencrest Hills woman visits North Pole. headline, great story. Well written and Kevin Beese. Labyrinth program helps Castle. presented. This crabby old judge could women rebound after prison: “Well-writ- Division D find little fault.” ten story that focuses on a person to put Division F 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Lan- a face on a program Varied sources and 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, nom. ‘Wiggie’ scores memorable summer good quotes throughout.” 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Stefano Carbondale, Gabriel Neely-Streit. Insta- gig: “Great story that was written well 3rd Place: Peoria County Chronicle, Elise Esposito. 43 years ago, a Romeoville mom gram is his gallery: Du Quoin artist finds about a coach connecting with children a Zwicky. A search for service dog leads to vanished. Finally, her family knows why.. success on social media: “Very well written half-world away.” help for other disabled vets: “Good lead 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Neil Stein- personality profile that has it all - great art- Honorable Mention: The Galena Gazette, and nice profile of couple and a great berg. ‘Where’s Bob?’ work, headline and writing with a strong Brandon Behlke. One of the team: “I program” 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, subject. There’s not a weakness anywhere. enjoyed this piece. It shows that there’s a Honorable Mention: Bureau County Christy Gutowski. No Home for a Child: Great job!” place to fit in no matter your abilities. Well Republican, Princeton, Goldie Rapp. A The untold story of AJ Freund’s tragically 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, written, error free with lots of quotes.” hobby the entire family digs: “Great lead short life. Carbondale, Isaac Smith. Prayer of a banjo and story that delivers throughout. Good Honorable Mention: Belleville man: “What a powerful story from start to Division D quotes, good description. Story flows well.” News-Democrat, Teri Maddox. Mascoutah finish. Well written profile that makes you 1st Place: The Register-Mail, Galesburg, residents still haunted by brutal murder of think about the choices you make in life.” Mike Trueblood. Lombard-Churchill Division B teens after prom 50 years ago. 3rd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Jill Moon. rivalry faces finale. All that glitters: “Interesting profile on 2nd Place: Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Brandon CLASS 14 - FEATURE WRITING - Kaleyn Carpunky and the power of social Tom Latonis. Radio broadcast duo bring Behlke. Coach Cherrey built the founda- PERSONALITY PROFILE media and her never-give-up spirit.” unique perspective to Pana football. tion: “Terrific story. Lead grabs you by the Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, Alton, 3rd Place: Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, shoulder pads and invites you to get closer. Division A Jeanie Stephens. See the fire: Mason’s Owen Lasswell. Pioneer to Pinnacle. Terrific use of sources, including former art illuminates humanity of area people: Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, players, succeeding coaches. This story 1st Place: Berwyn Suburban Life, F. Aman- “Seeing humanity through an artist’s eye DeKalb. Staff. Softball coach feature. was no doubt well received by the school da Tugade. Morton Candidate Profile: made for an interesting and well written and community. Well done.” “What a great piece of profile writing - profile piece.” Division E 2nd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chi- from the descriptive setting of the scene in cago, Kevin Beese and Holly Eitenmiller. Dulce Mami Café to the deep understand- Division E 1st Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Joey Madam President: “Outstanding work. ing of what makes Edwin Robles deter- Wagner. MacArthur’s MyShaun Dozier Lead, headline invite readers in to an mined to help his community. I had no 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, not letting anything slow him down: “Nice interesting tale of perspective on change trouble picturing the café in my mind. The Julie Wurth. A TRUE HERO: She spied look at a young student/athlete who won’t regarding women’s role in Illinois educa- only critique would be to put a little more against the Nazis. allow ‘limits’ to define the possible. Not tion.” pizzaz into the headline.” 2nd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, every sports feature is about an MVP over- 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela Lan- 2nd Place: Oakland Independent, Janice Tony Reid. A heart of service. coming obstacles. Sometimes it’s about a nom & Ken Knutson. Taking a new look at Hunt. Some things are just meant to be: 3rd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Phil Lucia- kid at the end of the bench.” the issue of aging: “Really interesting take “Great mix of humor and sentiment in this no. Bye Bye Birdie’s. 2nd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal on an age-old topic -- aging:-) Intro does a profile of 71 years of marriage. It made me Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, Lake, Sean Hammond. Inside the mental great job of setting the table. Each profile want to meet them.” Champaign, Noelle McGee. Officer, gen- hurdles of lengthy ACL recovery: “Reporter begins with strong, interesting leads as 3rd Place: Clinton Journal, Gordon tleman. told the story of an individual fighting to well. Well done.” Woods. It’s the Colonel himself — And, overcome a second ACL tear, while also Honorable Mention: Kane County Chron- we’re not pulling your chicken leg: “The Division F informing readers about the medical icle, St. Charles, Brenda Schory. Tattooed headline drew me in immediately and and rehabilitation challenges this injury Nipples: “Compelling read. Terrific, invit- the profile didn’t disappoint. Nice job of 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, creates.” ing approach to a sensitive subject. Good bringing the story together.” Morgan Greene. One Chicago boxer bat- 3rd Place: Rockford Register Star, Jay Taft. use of multiple sources.” Honorable Mention: The Sidell Reporter, tles doubters, along with fists, to claim her ‘Call me Coach V’: “A history of concus- Rinda Maddox. A Mother’s Day Gift: “A corner in the ring. sions ended one athlete’s football career, Division C nicely done emotional profile of a moth- 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington but he found a way to stay in the game.” er’s heartbreak and then happiness. Great Heights, Lauren Rohr. Where She Can Be Honorable Mention: Rockford Register 1st Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina piece for Mother’s Day!” Herself. Star, Matt Trowbridge. Champions in the J.E. Milton. Love Stories. 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Rick Tel- classroom: “When success on the court 2nd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina Division B ander. As Bears legend Mike Ditka nears translates into success in the classroom, J.E. Milton. Neighborhood Reunion. 80, he is shaken, not deterred. sports demonstrates its real value.” 3rd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina 1st Place: Hyde Park Herald, Chicago, Honorable Mention: Belleville News-Dem- J.E. Milton. Left for Dead at Nijmegen. Samantha Smylie. Robert Hunter: A barber ocrat, Teri Maddox. East St. Louis woman Division F Honorable Mention: Journal & Topics and a historian: “Excellent profile, done who raised 12 children and helped feed Media Group, Denise Fleischer. LaCroix in feature style, and nicely packaged. Lots the hungry dies at 105. 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Recalls Duties Aboard USS . Kitty Hawk. of detail. Not your typical ‘meet so and so’ Dan Wiederer, Rich Campbell. #QB17: profile. Readers will know this man, and CLASS 15 - EDITORIAL PAGE “What an effort. So many threads to pull. Division D that’s what a profile should do.” So many interviews. Illuminating, in-depth 2nd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, Division Daily look at what goes into the decisions that 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- Mike Plunkett. Shot Down: “Nice tribute. can make or break teams.” bondale, Isaac Smith. ‘We carry a light’: Profile well done. Packaging was excellent. 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Steve Inmates at Shawnee Correctional Center It went full-cycle.” Staff. Northwest Herald Editorial Page: Greenberg. “The Stone cold truth,’ Steve provide care for dying prisoners: “Great 3rd Place: The Galena Gazette, Hillary “Powerful lead editorial and column on Greenberg, Chicago Sun-Times: “What an story about something most wouldn’t Dickerson. The leader of the choir: “Nice AJ’s death. Fact-based, direct, call to ac- interesting, well-told tale.” know.” approach to a profile. Reader gets to know tion. I felt closer to community by reading 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, 2nd Place: The Commercial-News, Dan- the ‘Leader of the Choir,’ by what she does editorial page coverage, including letters, Teddy Greenstein. Mike Heuerman. Opi- ville, Carol Roehm. DACC leads the way. and her attitude. Presentation was nice as on a tragedy that obviously left a scar. Well oid addiction: “This makes you appreciate 3rd Place: Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, well.” done.” everything that athletes go through for our Owen Lasswell. Soldiers and Dogs offers a Honorable Mention: The Galena Gazette, 2nd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Dennis entertainment. Nice piece.” cause to carry on. Hillary Dickerson. ‘An old soldier who Anderson, Chris Kaergard. Journal Star Honorable Mention: Chicago Sun-Times, Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, loves his work’: “Great details and nice Opinion Page: “Dennis Anderson apology Patrick Finley. ‘Mama Bear,’ Patrick Finley, Alton, Scott Cousins. ‘Dragons without presentation. That’s what stood out.” regarding letter to editor was strongest Chicago Sun-Times: “Interesting look at wings’: Principia researchers tracking piece of this entry. Such a transparent peek NFL history through her eyes.” threatened timber rattlesnakes. Division C behind the scenes is rare. Bullying media editorial shows paper stands its ground.” 1st Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Eric

Page 10 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO - Division C 1st Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina J.E. Milton.

CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO - Division B 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO - Division D 1st Place: The Southern Illinois- Slonoff. an, Carbondale, Byron Hetzler.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 11 Olson. Opinions: “Nice, clean layouts. TIF CLASS 17 - ORIGINAL COLUMN 3rd Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Hayes. Lessons from Kaly: “Heartwarming editorial well reasoned, convincing on Adam J. Glazer. Through Glazed Eyes. story by a sports reporter paying attention.” what is likely an emotional topic.” Division A Honorable Mention: Chicago Daily Law 2nd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Pete Honorable Mention: The Southern Illi- Bulletin, Michael R. Panter. Mediation Hayes. ‘Pop, hell froze over’: “A big, big noisan, Carbondale, The Southern Illinois- 1st Place: Morris Herald-News, Marney Circus. deal for hockey fans of the Blues. Nice an Editorial Board: “Nice-looking pages. Simon: “I cried reading ‘This one’s for find on family ties to the team with former Lead editorials tackle heavy, complex the girls.’ I think a lot of women wish they Division E players and their kids. Well written.” topics, offering specific solutions.” had those kinds of friendships, but don’t 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Eddie always make time for them. ‘The subtle 1st Place: The Herald-News, Joliet, Bill Carifio: “Writer does a nice job of looking Division Non Daily cruelty of grief’ made me question how I Wimbiscus: “Every good personal column behind the scenes in whatever he is cover- will react when my own parents depart this elicits an emotion and, besides being able ing. Liked all three columns, but the Ezra 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Carter world. This was relatable — nearly every to relate to this one, I got a good chuckle Hill story was the best.” Newton and Hillary Dickerson. Editorial person has wondered these things at one out of it. Well done,” Honorable Mention: The Register-Mail, pages: “Your opinion page content was point or another. I also like how you used 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- Galesburg, Matthew Wheaton: “The writer very interesting and inviting to read. I like Preparedness Month to encourage action paign, Julie Wurth. Are we there yet?: obviously loves baseball and it shows in his how each columnist’s topic related to the without it feeling preachy. A timely topic, “Heirlooms-The columnist brought a tear knowledge of the game.” community and how the paper included a reason to reflect, a call to action. Nicely to my eye. She wrote and reflected well photos and file art to illustrate what the done.” feelings many of us have experienced.” Division E writer discussed. The visuals helped break 2nd Place: Porter Publishing, Tuscola, 3rd Place: NewsTribune, La Salle, Tom up the text and made it catch my eye as I David Porter. Ramblin Man: “Hammock Collins. 45 reasons why Jackson staying on 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Matt was scrolling through.” Time: D” I could picture this happening as $20 bill: “I like the way the writer brought Schuckman: “Great leads, touching stories, 2nd Place: The Hinsdalean, staff. Editorial I was reading your column, and it made in history and culture to explain today’s and excellent close. You grabbed me from pages: The editorials on the D86 refer- me laugh out loud. Nice job taking a run- reactions to something most of us would the first sentence and kept me through to endum were compelling as people took of-the-mill ‘I’m going to work’ and turning never think twice about.” the end. Had to wipe the eyes a time or opposing stances on the issue, challenging it into a noteworthy experience. I also Honorable Mention: The Times, Ottawa, t w o.” readers to form their own opinions on the appreciate your openness about Laura and Scott T. Holland. Salmagundi: “The writer 2nd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Joey issue. The June 13 issue parking lot editori- turning a bad situation into one of hope for could obviously relate personally with the Wagner: “Excellent writing. First line grabs al showcases the importance for newspa- all kinds of readers.” topic, and as such brought his readers in you and drags you into the column. From pers to be community watchdogs.” 3rd Place: Mahomet Citizen, Penny Weav- with him.” there Wagner does a great job telling the 3rd Place: The Woodstock Independent, er. “YES! We’re holding the flashlight! The story with passion.” Staff. Opinion: “I like how your opinion final line of this one caught me off guard, Division F 3rd Place: The Pantagraph, Bloomington, pages have a theme related to local events and may have triggered a few tears. I Randy Kindred. Mother Nature, Black that impact the community. I also like how particularly enjoyed this trio of columns as 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Cowden, Jim Collins: “Strong leads, draws there are images on the pages that relate to they spoke what all newspapers don’t do Dahleen Glanton: “Incredible pieces. Your you in, keeps you. Well written.” the editorials.” enough of: We don’t tell our own stories — writing style is clear, concise and compel- Honorable Mention: The Times, Ottawa, Honorable Mention: Riverside-Brookfield as publications, as companies, as journal- ling. Well done” Scott Holland. Infield Chatter: “I liked the Landmark, Bob Uphues. Jan. 23, 2019, and ists. Yes, our job is to focus on what other 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington style of writing. There was a good mix of March 13, 2019: “Your opinion page layout people are doing, but we also need to take Heights, Jim Slusher. Letter to Readers. hard hitting and fun columns.” is very clean and easy to navigate. I also time to share who we are and why we do 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Mark like the local issues raised in the editorials what we do. Exceptional.” Brown. Division F and letters to the editor. I wish there were Honorable Mention: Bureau County Honorable Mention: Daily Herald Group, some visuals to break up the text.” Republican, Princeton, Goldie Rapp. Visit Arlington Heights, Barry Rozner. 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Steve to shooting range; Ride-along; Final day: Greenberg. CLASS 16 - STORY/SERIES - “An interesting approach to a column CLASS 18 - SPORTS COLUMN 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Dale AGRICULTURAL STORY series. I finished these three wishing my Bowman. own community had a program like this — Division A 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Division Daily and curious if I could ask our department Dan Wiederer for similar experiences. How interesting to 1st Place: Bureau County Republican, Honorable Mention: Belleville 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, share with readers.” Princeton, Kevin Hieronymus. Hierony- News-Democrat, Todd Eschman. Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz. Farmers’ nightmare mus’ Hypothesis: “This writer does much of a year: “Good enterprise work at the Division B more than report the facts. He brings the CLASS 19 - PHOTO SERIES State Fair, and excellent overview of the reader along on an emotional journey. The y e a r.” 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Mike writer knows how to tell a good story and Division A 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Jones: “An extremely clever and fun way to keep the audience engaged.” Ally Marotti. Illinois’ first hemp crop: promote the largest tree contest, while also 2nd Place: Oakland Independent, Janice 1st Place: The Woodstock Independent, “Good explainer story on hemp, and good giving out some facts about trees. The puns Hunt. They took us all -- Oaks, Bulldogs Ken Farver. For homeless, people make the touches of color.” sprinkled throughout give this column a and Raiders -- along for the ride: “Well difference: “Great capture of an event and 3rd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- nice humorous touch. An interesting and written and very relatable.” good expressions on the speaker’s face.” bondale, Molly Parker. Campers gather entertaining read.” 3rd Place: The Normalite, Normal, Steve 2nd Place: Oregon Republican Reporter, in Pope County for Nine-Day Trail Ride: 2nd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Robinson. High School Highlights col- Earleen Hinton. Regional Champs: “Tells “Great example of a local feature story. Chicago, Irv Leavitt: “A strong compilation umns. the story! Great moments captured.” The personalities of the participants really of columns. Each one has a teaching mo- Honorable Mention: Cass County 3rd Place: Oregon Republican Reporter, shine through.” ment, whether it be not to smoke cigarettes Star-Gazette, Beardstown, Don Chipman. Earleen Hinton. Ogle County Fair: “Won- Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, or leaning more toward life lessons. They Chip’s Corner. derful coverage of the fair.” DeKalb, Kelsey Rettke. A very difficult are engaging, interesting, and enjoyable to Honorable Mention: Ledger-Sentinel, year: “Good news peg to crop insurance read. The writer is a great storyteller.” Division B Oswego, Shea Lazansky. OHS, OEHS fans deadline.” 3rd Place: The Greenville Advocate, Dave revel in the rivalry: “Great moments from Bell. Scott’s Law Enforcement: “This col- 1st Place: The Greenville Advocate, Roger a cross-town rivalry. Good variety that tells Division Non Daily umn is interesting from the start and easily Sanders. Blowin Smoke: “Some interest- the story.” transitions into the state law. It’s informa- ing reads. Especially enjoyed the ‘rites of 1st Place: Woodford Chronicle, Eureka, tive, the statistics were surprising, and I passage’ piece. It’s not just regurgitation of Division B Tim Alexander and Holly Eitenmiller. was hooked the entire time.” a game story, there are personal references Women in Farming: “Interesting story Honorable Mention: Macoupin County in each piece.” 1st Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, about how women are becoming involved Enquirer-Democrat, Carlinville, Jordan 2nd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, Staff. Lest We Forget: “Powerful. Takes you in the ag life.” Grucza: “Wow! What a great point of view Kyle Herschelman. Center and Guard: in, tells the story, nice angles.” 2nd Place: Republic-Times, Waterloo, from the life of a father. Your more serious “Good columns, especially enjoyed the To- 2nd Place: Des Plaines Journal, Todd Wes- Alan Dooley. Hard work for a hurried column was also incredibly well-writ- setti, Gregg Were Triple Threats. ... Needs sell. 40 Years After Flight 191, Memories harvest. ten, easy to follow and interesting. Your to be said in today’s world of specialization Remain: “Nice combination of news-style 3rd Place: The Sidell Reporter, Suzanne father-based columns were humorous and but done so in a way to get message out and art-style. Tells a powerful story.” Woodard. A bird’s-eye view: “This is an engaging. Well done.” there without being preachy.” 3rd Place: Suburban Life Core Group, important story about the impact drones 3rd Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. Geoff Stellfox. Endless fun: “Main photo of are having on the ag community.” Division D Charles, Aimee Barrows. Aidan Carlson: girl in car sells the entire thing. Great lead.” Honorable Mention: Kendall County “Enjoyed it and well written, but could Honorable Mention: North County News, Record, Yorkville, Katie Finlon. Wet spring 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Kevin have been longer.” Red Bud, Mary Koester. River has crested, keeps Kendall farmers out of their fields Solari: “Good mix of topics. Great way of but the battle against floodwaters contin- as planting deadlines loom: “Interesting drawing the reader in!” Division D ues: “Great use of aerial photography to story about the impact of weather on local 2nd Place: Daily Review Atlas, Monmouth, tell a story.” farmers and ranchers.” Chandra Bozelko. The Outlaw. 1st Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Pete

Page 12 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO - Division E 1st Place: The Pantagraph, CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO - Division F 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Bloomington, Lewis Marien. Ashlee Rezin Garcia.

CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division A 1st Place: Oakland CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division B 1st Place: The Hins- Independent, Janice Hunt. dalean, Jim Slonoff.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 13 Division D reading the accompanying text. But still a expression. Too cute. Might have made a ocrat, Derik Holtmann. Brothers’ hug. good photo.” great feature photo entry as well.” 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark Honorable Mention: The Greenville Ad- 2nd Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. CLASS 22 - FEATURE PHOTO Busch. DeKalb County Law Enforcement vocate, Dave Bell. Is It Over Yet?: “Perhaps Charles, Mary Beth Nolan. Crosses: “This Officers Memorial Service. some will say it’s more of a feature photo, tugs at emotion by putting a real face on an Division A 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- but it still qualifies as spot news to this all-too-common horror these days. Great bondale, Isaac Smith. The Simple Life. judge. It captures the human element. composition, though it probably should 1st Place: Piatt County Journal-Republi- 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark Plus, it shows not all spot photos have to have been cropped a bit tighter to elimi- can, Monticello, Mike Heiniger. Another Busch. First National Challenge football be of fires, wrecks, etc.” nate some unnecessary elements on the Golden Eagles victory: “Excellent capture game. left and right.” of emotion! Good use of rule of thirds Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, Division D 3rd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, while action is happening, (if not cropped DeKalb, Mark Busch. Camp Power. Mary (Galer) Herschelman. Bittersweet extensively).” 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- Celebration For Lancer Seniors: “One of 2nd Place: The Woodstock Independent, Division E bondale, Gabriel Neely-Streit. Missing. the saddest things and it happens every Ken Farver. For homeless, people make 2nd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, John year somewhere. Emotion is thick in this a difference: “Nice framing and depth of 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, Badman. Crash cost a lot of doe. picture, though we don’t see their faces. field. The colorful subject helps,.but I want Matthew Apgar. The search for AJ Freund: 3rd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, John Good composition capturing the mo- to be there and hear what he has to say.” “The accounting of each step of the investi- Badman. Trapped under car. ment.” 3rd Place: Blue Mound Leader, John gation is well-documented. The emotional Honorable Mention: The Southern Illi- Honorable Mention: Kane County Chron- Broux. Underwater: “Wonderful stop appeal of the subject matter goes without noisan, Carbondale, Isaac Smith. Rescue. icle, St. Charles, Sandy Bressner. Dragon action that allows us to see the water as it saying.” breath: “Great composition. The child is flows over the child’s head. Good close- 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- Division E cute, but the woman in the background u p.” paign, Stephen Haas. All Access: State makes this photo work.” Honorable Mention: Pana News Palla- Farm Center: “I was transported to be- 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, dium, Susan McGrath. Emotional end: hind-the-scenes with this photo series. The Matthew Apgar. Dog saved from house Division C “Good coverage of an aftermath of a game look behind the curtain was well done.” fire: “What an emotional scene. The dog where we can see the players’ emotions.” 3rd Place: The Pantagraph, Bloomington, appears to be expressing gratitude to its 1st Place: The Downers Grove, Westmont, David Proeber. Freedom after 27 years rescuer. Perfect closeup.” Woodridge & Lisle Bugle, Ryan Ostry. Division B behind bars: “The money shot of Whalen 2nd Place: Sauk Valley Media, Alex T. DRUMS: “Great faces. Great expressions. hugging his mother after 27 years behind Paschal. Capsized: “There’s no substitute Great photo. You can tell they’re rocking 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim Slonoff. bars tells the story. The additional shots for being there. The photographer hustled o u t .” Walking in a Halloween wonderland: “The from courtroom to ankle monitor places to the scene and was rewarded with a great 2nd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina splash of color at the bottom in contrast the reader right there.” i m a g e .” J.E. Milton. Winter Play Day: “Kids and with the more muted colors above and the Honorable Mention: The Pantagraph, 3rd Place: The State Journal-Register, dogs. Pure love.” perspective made this photo pop.” Bloomington, David Proeber. Diesel Dick’s Springfield, Ted Schurter. Fire dog: “The 3rd Place: Journal & Topics Media Group, 2nd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, Fire: “It is difficult to get multiple vantage intense emotions on the firefighters’ faces Tom Robb. Puppy Love: “Puppy nuzzler. Kyle Herschelman. Kenny Ryker Appoint- points with a structure fire but the reporter make this shot a winner. Well done!” Pure joy.” ed Litchfield Police Chief. hung around long enough to accomplish Honorable Mention: Northwest Herald, 3rd Place: Suburban Life Core Group, that.” Crystal Lake, Matthew Apgar. Bark Park Division D Geoff Stellfox. Pool boy. Protest: “Good shot. I like the action and Honorable Mention: Suburban Life Core CLASS 20 - SPOT NEWS PHOTO emotion.” 1st Place: The Telegraph, Alton, John Bad- Group, Geoff Stellfox. Face to face. man. Soldier reunion. Division A Division F 2nd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, John Division C Badman. Nuns jubilee. 1st Place: NewsProgress, Sullivan, Robert 1st Place: Belleville News-Democrat, 3rd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- 1st Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina R. Best. Home explodes, life saved: “Every- Derik Holtmann. A family mourns: “The bondale, Byron Hetzler. Funeral proces- J.E. Milton. Pumpkin Fest: “Beautiful fall thing about this pic screams drama from emotional impact of this photo is undeni- sion. photo. Great clarity and color. The lighting front to back. One can only imagine the able.” Honorable Mention: The Register-Mail, is beautiful and helps make the photo horror but it certainly shows the determi- 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Ashlee Galesburg, Steve Davis. Suspected drunk p o p.” nation of fire and rescue.” Rezin Garcia. Evader gator, fearless duck: driver. 2nd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina 2nd Place: Rosemont Journal, Tom Wes- “A crazy photo that was obviously taken by J.E. Milton. Celebrate the Season. sell. Rosemont Rescue: “Really like this a photographer with an eye for detail.” Division E photo that was cropped perfectly to the 3rd Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Der- Division D composition. Captures the drama and how ik Holtmann. Extinguishing the hot spots: 1st Place: The Herald-News, Joliet, Eric rescue works together for a given situation. “A well-framed photo from a photographer Ginnard. Prescribed Burn: “Beautiful color 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Good work.” who was quick to jump into action.” and lighting. I love how the heat distorts Carbondale, Byron Hetzler. Air frame: 3rd Place: Oregon Republican Reporter, Honorable Mention: Belleville the background because it adds depth to “Beautiful composition and interesting Earleen Hinton. Pelicans: “I like everything News-Democrat, Derik Holtmann. Push!: the picture. Also, good job of capturing the perspective!” about this photo. Cropped well with the “An excellent photo to tell the story of a firefighter working in the foreground.” 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, birds going about their business as if un- storm’s aftermath.” 2nd Place: The State Journal-Register, Carbondale, Byron Hetzler. Keeping cool: seen. Particularly like the one that appears Springfield, Ted Schurter. Rain dance: “Great action of the girl’s hair whipping to be yawning.” CLASS 21 - GENERAL NEWS PHOTO “Beautiful job of capturing the details in water into the air, good composition and Honorable Mention: Oregon Republican the clouds, while still keeping the subjects beautiful color.” Reporter, Earleen Hinton. Fire Perform- Division A well exposed. The colors of the grass and 3rd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, er: “Good frame shot that captures the the uniforms really pop!” Carbondale, Isaac Smith. Noise: “Cool per- movement of the subject and the flames 1st Place: Ledger-Sentinel, Oswego, 3rd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Matt spective and lighting! I love that the light surrounding her face.” Shea Lazansky. High-flying furry friends: Dayhoff. Press conference grief: “Great highlights the torn ceiling tiles!” “Showing the action AND audience makes job capturing emotion during a sensitive Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, Division B for a great news photo as the dog flies in time.” DeKalb, Mark Busch. Plowing through the the air. Nice job.” Honorable Mention: The Daily Journal, snow: “Awesome action shot!” 1st Place: The Greenville Advocate, Dave 2nd Place: The Woodstock Independent, Kankakee, Tiffany Blanchette. Political Bell. High Speed Driver Arrested: “Timing Ken Farver. Groundhog Day: “Reactions, Yawn: “Excellent job capturing a humor- Division E of the photo made it the winner. Photog- reactions, reactions are the mainstay of ous moment at an otherwise mundane rapher was on the scene as the situation this Feb. 2 photo!” event. I just wish the crop was tighter on 1st Place: The Pantagraph, Bloomington, unfolded and captured the image that tells 3rd Place: Oakland Independent, Janice the yawning boy.” Lewis Marien. Sound check: “Excellent the story. Good action, facial expression.” Hunt. Come on in, the water’s fine: “Won- focus in a difficult lighting situation, nice 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Dan derful reactions and composition here.” Division F composition and emphasis on the child.” Burke. Car fire: “The way the photo was Honorable Mention: Sandwich Record, 2nd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal taken and cropped was the difference Shea Lazansky. War hero: “Good angle. 1st Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Lake, Matthew Apgar. A Pastel Play: “Lov- between 2nd & 3rd. The close-up just con- Also, this photo has the crowd reaction in Derik Holtmann. Shedding a tear: “This ing the artistic rendering using photo- veys more of the outcome to the reader.” the background. Nice focus and composi- one really captures the emotion, from the graphic skills.” 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim Slonoff. tion at a news event.” tear going down her face to the reflections 3rd Place: The State Journal-Register, Utility pole fire knocks out power to busi- in the sunglasses. Great job.” Springfield, Justin Fowler. Slow down!: nesses, homes: “Liked the close-up view of Division B 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington “Can you get better emotion and involve- the firemen more than the more common Heights, Paul Valade. Night Storm. ment in your picture? Probably not. Great shots of flames shooting from structures. 1st Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, 3rd Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Der- news coverage.” This was cropped too tight for me as I Mike Plunkett. Witt Parade Celebrates ik Holtmann. Family members with casket. Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, didn’t know what the fire was without Labor Day: “Great composition and facial Honorable Mention: Belleville News-Dem- Champaign, Stephen Haas. Dragon down

Page 14 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division C 1st Place: The MidWeek, CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division D 1st Place: Daily Chroni- DeKalb, Katrina J.E. Milton. cle, DeKalb, Mark Busch.

CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division E 1st Place: Quincy Her- CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division F 1st Place: Daily Herald ald-Whig, Katelyn Metzger. Group, Arlington Heights, Rick West.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 15 the halls: “Wonderful news coverage with to characterize the subject.” Division C 2nd Place: Bureau County Republican, reactions from the children included. Princeton, Kevin Hieronymus. Chase: Good leading lines.” Division E 1st Place: Journal & Topics Media Group, “Crisp focus, use of depth of field. Could Bill Bostrom. Jump For Joy: “Captures the have worked with subject to get in less Division F 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Kate- thrill of victory at its peak. Great reaction posed position. Nice effort.” lyn Metzger. Jamie Gower: “Lighting on shot.” 3rd Place: Village Free Press, Oak Park, 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Ashlee subject helps tells the dark story. The catch 2nd Place: Journal & Topics Media Group, Shanel Romain. Tim Bannon, undeterred: Rezin Garcia. A century of progress but still light in her eye, the use of third, the light- Dion Martorano. You’re Out!: “Nice image “Inspiring subject. Crisp focus. Appears an invisible divide: “A picture is a thousand ing, this is a very powerful photo.” that says it all. Clear and sharp.” to be a lot of wasted space in this photo. words and this one is. It tells the story in a 2nd Place: Sauk Valley Media, Michael 3rd Place: Journal & Topics Media Shooting from higher vantage point would powerful way. Great framing and compo- Krabbenhoeft. Principal Leader: “This is a Group, Dion Martorano. Wild Night: “The have helped image.” sition” fun photo. Like the use of rule of thirds.” Wildcats must be on the road, hence their Honorable Mention: The Free Press Advo- 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, desire to silence Maine South.” cate, Wilmington, Eric Fisher. Lady Wildcat Brian O’Mahoney. Fountain Fun: “Oh my Robin Scholz. A troubling trend: “Strong Honorable Mention: Journal & Topics Megan Mann making dig: “Strong photo goodness. Look at that face. Love every- photo but doesn’t really tell the story. Media Group, Dion Martorano. Steven- connects well with “digging deep” cutline. thing about this photo. Getting children in There is at least one, possibly two, students son Rolls: “Great reaction shot that’s just It’s a bit confusing as to why this is entered focus is sometimes difficult. This image is of color in the background. However the thrown off by the one face caught between as a personality portrait when it appears crisp. So much to love about it. Well done.” use of blur is very good and draws the expressions. Too bad you can’t pose these more like sports action.” 3rd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington focus on the young lady.” things.” Heights, Mark Welsh. First Day Excite- Honorable Mention: Sauk Valley Media, Division B ment: “Love that you captured an incredi- Alex T. Paschal. Ben Perez: “Like the use of Division D ble moment in the life of a student. This is foregroud framing, but would have liked to 1st Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. a great reminder of the joy and nervous- have seen Bengjie pushed into a third.” 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Charles, Sandy Bressner. Dugout: “Sharp ness behind all of our first days. Great job.” Carbondale, Byron Hetzler. Bunker blast: photo. Love the glow in the hair, yet still Honorable Mention: Chicago Sun-Times, Division F “Great job of capturing the ball and the good lighting in the face.” Annie Costabile. U-S-A scores! golfer’s face in the midst of the flying sand.” 2nd Place: Suburban Life Core Group, 1st Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington 2nd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Geoff Stellfox. The Boxer: “Good lighting CLASS 23 - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY Heights, Rick West. Celebrating 75: “This Dennis Mathes. Crimsons fall in 9: “Great and incorporation of the cross. The grim incredible photo makes me speculate what job of capturing the collision and baseball look of the kid also captures the uncertain- Division A your sweet couple is talking about. After 75 in this photo!” ty of the program’s future.” years, that conversation. ... I was immedi- 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark 3rd Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. 1st Place: Oakland Independent, Janice ately draw to their faces. I love the framing Busch. Collision at the goal: “Good job Charles, Sandy Bressner. The Wrestler: Hunt. Some things are just meant to be: of this photo and the contrast. Outstanding.” capturing their facial expressions and the “Good use of striking lighting.” “I LOVE their expressions, it really shows 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Ashlee ball as it ripples the skin on one of the Honorable Mention: Suburban Life Core their personalities and how much they Rezin Garcia. John Coli guilty: “An incred- player’s thighs.” Group, Geoff Stellfox. Eyes on the prize: love each other.” ible image in history. I can’t unsee his Honorable Mention: The Southern Il- “Neat image. I like the focus of the player’s 2nd Place: The Woodstock Independent, expression which means you’ve created a linoisan, Carbondale, Byron Hetzler. Excla- eye. It appears this is not a posed picture Tricia Carzoli. EmpowHer Boutique into powerful piece. Well done” mation point: “Great composition in this (confirmed by the cutline) as the class de- confidence building. 3rd Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Derik wide-angle shot and good job of capturing scription requires, which prevented it from 3rd Place: The Lexingtonian, Luke Smuck- Holtmann. Alan Blumhorst. the expression and the jump of the player placing higher.” er. Kasey’s Elephant with “Kyle”. Honorable Mention: Daily Herald Group, not in the action.” Honorable Mention: Chenoa Town Crier, Arlington Heights, Patrick Kunzer. Celebrat- Division D Laurie Sleeter, Debbie Johnson. Fore ing Learning. Division E Fathers. 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, Busch. Wrestler of the Year: “Dynamic Division B Matthew Apgar. Fumble, Dive, Touch- lighting and good job creating a sense of Division A down: “This is the decisive moment! Great place with the sign in the background.” 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim Slonoff. A job, the player is still in the air, ball is off the great night to be a Red Devil aunt. 1st Place: Kendall County Record, ground, hands about to grasp it, up-close, Division E 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Mark Van Yorkville, Steven Buyansky. Jump ball: sharp, wow.” Osdol. Cold snap!. “Close on action, facial expressions, tough- 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim Slonoff. ness on players and ball in the middle. paign, Robin Scholz. The celebration is on: Rick Danzl. It’s in the cards: “Very tough One happy baby. Great shot” “Great job telling the story, capturing the category. This shot combines personality, Honorable Mention: The Hinsdalean, Jim 2nd Place: Coal City Courant, Shawn Long. excitement and the girl holding up one composition and execution, and it’s a great Slonoff. Words of encouragement. Breaking the plane: “With eyes on the finger tells me they are champions. Good illustration for a story-photo package.” ground and hugging the ball, player sees use of framing and rule of thirds.” 2nd Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Jake Division C goal line under him. Good action shot.” 3rd Place: The State Journal-Register, Shane. Softball Player of the Year: “Light- 3rd Place: The Harrisburg Register, Springfield, Ted Schurter. Foot to the nose: ing, focus and color - superb!” 1st Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina Michael “Spyder” Dann. The Flying Tiger: “You kept the ball in the pic, lots of action 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, J.E. Milton. Cameron Simpson. “Good shot of player, with opponent and the decisive moment.” Anthony Zilis. A basketball star: “Great 2nd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina around him. Background is also good. Honorable Mention: Northwest Herald, perspective and composition, and your J.E. Milton. David Minor. Exciting.” Crystal Lake, Matthew Apgar. Regional subject draws my eye into the photo.” 3rd Place: The MidWeek, DeKalb, Katrina Honorable Mention: Kendall County Choke: “On-the-ball photographer, nice Honorable Mention: Herald & Review, J.E. Milton. Stephen Reid. Record, Yorkville, Jeff Krage. Nose picker: job telling the story. Also, good use of Decatur, Clay Jackson. MyShaun: “Great “It happens, but never caught on film. Part depth of field.” subject, great execution.” Division D of the game. No blood? Right place at right time with a camera.” Division F Division F 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark Busch. Black History Month reflections: Division B 1st Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, “Gripping and full of detail. The intensity Heights, John Starks. Wrestling Reflection. Brian O’Mahoney. Anxious Anchor: “A of the moment was fully captured, and I 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Mark 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, great shot. The image pops. The focus feel like I know this woman.” VanOsdol. Slush cup: “Great action, facial Brian O’Mahoney. No Way to Escape. obviously is on the runner in the fore- 2nd Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, action, unusual event over icy water, see 3rd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington ground, but the expressions on the faces in David Thomas. Judge Jeffrey Cole: “Nice arms, legs and skis.” Heights, Brian Hill. Making A Move. the background are clear enough, and the composition, but the personality shines 2nd Place: Suburban Life Core Group, Honorable Mention: Chicago Tribune other runners give it context.” through. The expression, and Judge Cole’s Gary Duncan. Baseball air: “Intensity in Media Group, Brian O’Mahoney. Any- 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, demeanor were all captured in this ‘pack- faces, both in air, shows great movement, body’s Ball. Brian O’Mahoney. Struck Out: “Editors a g e .’” great action shot.” usually want action shots from sporting 3rd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- 3rd Place: Suburban Life Core Group, CLASS 25 - SPORTS PHOTO - events, but alert photographers who get bondale, Byron Hetzler. Nick Tate: “With Jeff Krage. Soccer jubilation: “Girls get so PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY pics like this can change their minds. Good the subject’s stance and subtle mood, excited in a big win. This photo shows their job looking out for the nice feature image.” the photographer gives us a glimpse into enthusiasm, other girls also excited. Great Division A Nick Tate’s artistic soul. Great ‘personality’ placement.” CLASS 26 - ONLINE PHOTO SERIES/GALLERY capturing!” Honorable Mention: The Breese Journal, 1st Place: Suburban Chronicle, Geneva, Honorable Mention: Chicago Daily Law Jeremy Chawgo. Elevation: “The catcher’s Jack McCarthy. Chicago Fire soccer team Division Daily Bulletin, Sarah Mansur. All the world’s a legs in air made for a higher obstacle to owner: “Good effort to connect Haupt- stage: “Excellent portrait. Excellent com- reach home plate. What effort man, training facility with visual image. 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark position, great treatment for both players; great action.” Clearly the best entry in this category.” Busch. Hundreds gather for vigil remem-

Page 16 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO - Division A 1st Place: Kendall County Record, CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO - Division B 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Yorkville, Steven Buyansky. Mark VanOsdol.”

CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO - Division C 1st Place: Journal & Topics Media CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO - Division D 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Group, Bill Bostrom. Carbondale, Byron Hetzler.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 17 bering victims of Aurora shooting: “Cap- Division Non Daily content was neat.” 2nd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, tures the emotions of the event well.” 2nd Place: NewsTribune, La Salle, Ali Bra- Mike Plunkett. Shot Down: “Great use of 2nd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal 1st Place: Woodford Chronicle, Eureka, boy, Adam Ricci. How has IVCC’s revenue space and fun design elements that fit well Lake, Staff. Deputy Jacob Keltner funer- Holly Eitenmiller: “The story on athletics stream changed?: “The pie chart makes the with the content.” al and procession photo gallery: “Very is especially strong. The follow-up work shift in support for IVCC immediately clear 3rd Place: Macoupin County Enquir- moving and covers all aspects of the event on the recycling program vote is also quite to the reader. Good color choices and clear er-Democrat, Carlinville, Staff. Land of without being intrusive.” good.” labeling go a long way. It would have been Lincoln Honor Flight. 3rd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Mark 2nd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- more striking with a graphic that showed Honorable Mention: The Greenville Ad- Busch. East St. Louis football celebrates go, Kevin Beese: “Good work covering the the increase in property tax support – say vocate, Jay Endress. Front page December state title: “Captures the hype and fun growth of an organization.” stacks of coins or cash that showed the 12, 2019. atmosphere. Nice job!” 3rd Place: Oak Leaves, Oak Park, Steve relative increase.” Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, Schering. Oak Park officials remove 1930s 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, Division D Champaign, Stephen Haas. “I really love mural from school: “Well-written stories, Jeff D’Alessio, Joel Leizer. Marijuana sur- behind-the-scenes photos and these were but would like to see some coverage of vey: “Graphic elements help break up the 1st Place: Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, executed well.” diversity issues not directly pegged to or survey results, and pairing those results Owen Lasswell. The Prowling Panthers: prompted by a news event.” with the panel comments help to make the “Very creative, and certainly a draw for the Division Non Daily survey digestible both in bite-size pieces students. Loved the color and the artist is CLASS 29 - INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC and for someone skimming the page to very talented.” 1st Place: Ledger-Sentinel, Oswego, Shea determine the major takeaways.” 2nd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Lazansky. OHS, OEHS fans revel in the Division A Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, Mike Solley. Analog and then some: “The crosstown rivalry: “This is the content I Champaign, Jeff D’Alessio, Mike Goebel. graphics really draw you into the article. I seek online! Love this gallery, there are 1st Place: The Sidell Reporter, Rinda America: Divided we stand: “The design had seen the AP article, but had not read some great images here. Well done! PS It Maddox. is easy to consume for the reader and the it until seeing this page. Nice use of white sounds like East needs to recruit better. :)” 2nd Place: Riverside-Brookfield Land- table of panel participants helps highlight space.” 2nd Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. mark, Staff. the expertise of those giving comment. 3rd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Charles, Sandy Bressner. Kane County Some additional illustrations or graphics David C.L. Bauer. Soundtrack of history: Fair: “I guess that’s a good sign when Division B might have helped pull the reader deeper “There is a lot on this page, but the design you’re sad to see the end of the gallery? into the layout.” leads your eye to the various elements. Great moments in time captured here, 1st Place: Wednesday Journal of Oak Park Good graphic art, and I especially liked very well done gallery!” & River Forest, Staff: “Tough choice be- Division F the treatment of the knowledge test. Well 3rd Place: Suburban Life Core Group, tween 1st & 2nd in this class. Clean layout done.” Sandy Bressner. Superheroes visit young and original, creative idea moved it to the 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, Al- patients: “Great initiative, great photos. top. Also liked just enough information Jemal R. Brinson, Chad Yoder, Jonathon ton, Ron DeBrock. The Telegraph, May 28, Fave is the last one with the kids waving at about each prop.” Berlin, Mark Friesen, Nausheen Husain. 2019: “Great photos carry this page design. the window washers.” 2nd Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim Slonoff. Infographics with seclusion and restraint The headline draws you in and the photos Honorable Mention: Suburban Life Core Vote yes spends more than half a million: story: “The online layout of this story is tell a great story. Front-page design other- Group, Staff. Week in Pictures: “Nice “I’m a numbers geek and enjoyed how this unparalleled. Obviously, an impactful wise is a bit too busy with the ads, etc.” assortment of photos, classic ‘slice of life’ graphic broke down $ spent promoting a story without these graphics, but the gallery.” bond issue and difference it made. Tied graphics (and all the images, really) bring Division E in well with the story. Almost too much that emotional impact to a new level and CLASS 27 - VIDEO JOURNALISM information in the graphic, but not quite. then truly allow the reader to dive as deep 1st Place: Sauk Valley Media, Rusty Well done.” as they would like. Well done. You could Schrader. Don’t do it: “This engaging Division Daily 3rd Place: The Greenville Advocate, Jay spend hours looking at this.” front page draws in the reader with visual Endress. Year End Review: “Neat way to 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, elements, and well-crafted headlines grab 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Lauren capture year in review without long, mun- Staff. What’s the best way to get to O’Hare?: attention. I enjoyed the pumpkin photo FitzPatrick, Ashlee Rezin Garcia. A town’s dane story that I’m never sure if people “The layout of this story revolves around package, and I appreciated the smoke pride. read. Clean and easy-to-read visual ele- the graphics, which make it an incredibly overlapping text for the vaping story. It’s 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, ment. The greetings ad at bottom of page effortless story for the reader to engage clear that a lot of attention also was given Jemal R. Brinson, Sam Roe, Jonathon detracted from it, however, and at first with. Plus, it’s an incredibly creative idea.” to the teasers at the bottom of the page.” Berlin. We tested popular cellphones for glance appeared to be part of the graphic.” 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Akiko 2nd Place: The Times, Ottawa, Julie radio frequency radiation. Now the FCC is Honorable Mention: Cook County Chron- Spencer. Connect the blots: “A creative Barichello. The Times 175th anniversary investigating. icle, Chicago, Jennifer Kranz. Christmas graphic that tells this story better than a section cover: “I’ve seen photo overlays 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, Tree Farms: “Probably one of the more block of written text ever could.” like this before, but this example tells the Anthony Zilis. Marching Illini. time-consuming graphics to build of those story and connects very well with the Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, in this class. Looks clean as a PDF. Good CLASS 30 - SINGLE PAGE DESIGN special section. Presentation of “175th Champaign, Anthony Zilis. Meet Paralym- information for the readers in easy-to-read Anniversary” is striking, and the sparing pic star Daniel Romanchuk. format. Debating whether the lights above Division A use of clear, large text is effective. The table and below were needed. Nicely done, tho.” of contents would have been stronger had CLASS 28 - DISTINGUISHED COVERAGE OF 1st Place: The Marion Republican, Mar- it spotlighted a few of the inside elements DIVERSITY Division D ion, Gatha Moore. Triad ends Marion’s instead of listing them.” season: “Cutout in middle of page-very 3rd Place: Sauk Valley Media, Rusty Division Daily 1st Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Pete effective, lots of information, background, Schrader. Their happy space: “The design Hayes. Super Moon: “Simple. To the point. Really liked this page.” of the small business feature really trans- 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, A story in photos.” 2nd Place: The Navigator, Albion, T.J. forms what’d typically be a ho-hum story Staff. 5 stories exemplifying the Chicago 2nd Place: The Register-Mail, Galesburg, Hug. Aug. 14 edition: “Lots of white space, into something visually engaging and Tribune’s coverage of under-represented Staff. Revenue in Galesburg: “Enhanc- variety of size on headlines, border holds exciting. The designer used the photog- communities: “Pictures related to the es the story, easy to read. Keeps reader article together, holds interest. Left-hand rapher’s art well, and the headline is well stories. Stories are effective at telling and engaged.” column in blue is nice touch.” executed. The rest of the page is used to informing the reader about hardships, 3rd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, 3rd Place: Suburban Chronicle, Geneva, balance the main feature, and I’d be quite adversity overcome, and the side roads of David C.L. Bauer. Ready. Set. Snow.: “Visu- Jack McCarthy. ‘We are in this together’: happy to have my publication look this life.” ally tells a story, easy to navigate.” “Large photo of faces tells the story. Design good on a consistent basis.” 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Honorable Mention: Chicago Daily Law is clean, makes the reader feel their heart- Honorable Mention: Herald & Review, Carbondale, Staff. The Southern Illinoisan: Bulletin, Sarah Mansur, Marc Karlinsky. break. Great front page.” Decatur, Staff: “The juxtaposition of the “Articles reflect the struggles for societal Following national trend, bar pass rates Honorable Mention: The Marion Repub- Cubs and Cardinals is balanced and draws inclusion and the uphill slope some face drop here: “Clean. Good look, tells a good lican, Marion, John Homan, Gatha Moore, in a reader. I imagine many fans of either when attempting to reconcile difficult story.” Melynda Findlay. New mayor in Marion: teams looked at both stories in no small pasts.” “Impact on faces as checking election part because of how effectively they were 3rd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Journal Star Division E results. Loser picking up his own signs. packaged. The other elements, especially Staff. Journal Star Coverage of Diversity: Layout gives importance to results, both by the flag, are balanced and invite the “Articles reflect the cautionary tale in 1st Place: The Times, Ottawa, Julie Bar- sides. Good white space.” reader to survey the entire page.” dividing a society and the struggles in ichello. A life in The Times: The role The remedying the sociological mistakes of Times plays in a person’s life: “This is a Division B Division F yesteryear.” really cool graphic and it does a great job Honorable Mention: The News-Gazette, breaking down all the different positive 1st Place: The Niles Bugle, Staff. How to 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Bryan Champaign, Anthony Zilis: “Articles re- impacts that The Times has on its commu- work out safely after 50-years-old: “Great Barker. ‘Mr. President, welcome to the true flected a theme of ‘Although different - Still nities. Including the small graphics with use of color. The small details really make Chicago.’ Human.’” each element helps keep it reader friendly, the page special. A very clean, eye-appeal- 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Bryan and filling the silhouette with historical ing design.” Barker. The decade in review.

Page 18 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO - Division E 1st Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, Matthew Apgar.

CLASS 25 - SPORTS PHOTO - CLASS 24 - SPORTS PHOTO - Division F 1st Place: Daily Herald Group, PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division A 1st Place: Suburban Chronicle, Arlington Heights, John Starks. Geneva, Jack McCarthy.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 19 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Akiko Maddox: “Headlines draw the reader 2nd Place: Bureau County Republican, CLASS 34 - SPECIAL SECTIONS Spencer. Hawks confident goalie situation in, work well with the whole story and Princeton, Kevin Hieronymus: “Quality is much improved. photos.” pictures. Well-written stories. Cutlines Division A Honorable Mention: Chicago Tribune 3rd Place: Oakland Independent, Janice written just as well. Section organized OK.” Media Group, Chad Yoder, Jonathon Ber- Hunt: “Headlines capture mood of story, 3rd Place: Cass County Star-Gazette, 1st Place: The Woodstock Independent, lin. Seclusion and restraint design. draw reader in.” Beardstown, Don Chipman: “Quality Staff. Home, Farm, Garden: “Excellent sec- Honorable Mention: Chenoa Town Crier, pictures. Writing is illustrative as well as tion! Writing grabs attention. Great variety CLASS 31 - NEWSPAPER DESIGN Luke Smucker, Laurie Sleeter. Bell Rings cutlines. Font color (light blue) minor of articles and photos. Layout has a good in New Life: “Clever headlines on regular issue. Ads colorful.” flow. What a pleasure to read.” Division A stories. These can be the hardest headlines Honorable Mention: The Navigator, 2nd Place: The Sidell Reporter, Rinda to write.” Albion, T.J. Hug. Edward County and Gray- Maddox, Suzanne Woodard, Vicki Del- 1st Place: Forest Park Review, Staff: “Great ville Sports: “Pictures are of nice quality. haye. Veterans Day: “Your hard efforts paid clarity and depth of field usage in your Division B Organization of sports section OK, but off. A very personal look at Veterans Day. photos! The layout flowed well.” out-of-sync.” Interesting to read.” 2nd Place: The Sidell Reporter, Staff: “Fan- 1st Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, 3rd Place: Mascoutah Herald, Pamela tastic use of color!” Kyle Herschelman: “Very interesting head- Division B Rensing. Mascoutah Homecoming: “Good 3rd Place: Chenoa Town Crier, Laurie lines. Clever ideas. Great sense of humor.” overview of an annual event. Solid writing Sleeter: “Although small, the positive and 2nd Place: The Hinsdalean, Pamela 1st Place: The Hinsdalean, Staff: “Clean and time line of events.” upbeat message was evident. This is what Lannom. layout. Concise writing. Enjoyed the fea- Honorable Mention: Forest Park Review, you want to evoke out of readers when 3rd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- ture articles. Well done.” Claire Innes, Natalie Johnson: “A thorough trying to get morale to return. This is what go, Kevin Beese. 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Brian guide of the Forest Park community. Color, we all need more of. Great job with all of Honorable Mention: Des Plaines Journal, McLane, Jay Dickerson, Brandon Behlke: eye-catching material.” your efforts to bring that back.” Tom Wessell. “Like the round-up idea. It’s a space saver. Honorable Mention: Tazewell Chronicle, Decent photos. Good feature article.” Division B East Peoria, Jennifer Kranz: “Your layout Division D 3rd Place: Republic-Times, Waterloo, Co- flows well and is just easy on the eye to rey Saathoff: “Colorful pages. Easy to read. 1st Place: The Galena Gazette, Staff. read. You did not excessively use different 1st Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Good flow.” Connected: Creating Fiber Optic Commu- fonts and were consistent. My eyes weren’t Carbondale, Shawn Anglin: ““O’Really” Honorable Mention: The Greenville nities: “Nice section all the way around. jumping all over the page! Kudos!” Headlines can be tough to write, and not Advocate, Roger Sanders: “Strong layout Good copy and photos presented in everyone gets an opportunity for head- and photos.” attractive and easy-to-read style. Also good Division B lines to write themselves, but this was a accompanying graphics.” no-brainer and a great time to do it.” Division D 2nd Place: Wednesday Journal of Oak Park 1st Place: Wednesday Journal of Oak Park 2nd Place: Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, & River Forest, Staff. Answer Book of Oak & River Forest, Staff: “Defined focus on David C.L. Bauer: ““Purloined Perfume” 1st Place: The Commercial-News, Dan- Park & River Forest: “A lot of work from pages. Good use of color and typography. Alliterations are great fun but not easy to ville, Chad Dare; Marvin Holman: “You your graphics department went into this Advertisements draw people in. Excellent use. I really enjoyed this one.” can tell I’m a news nerd because I really one. Wow! Attractive and laid out so the use of white space. Reader-friendly. Pages 3rd Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, enjoyed the headlines for these pages the information is visually appealing to the have a crisp, clean feel. Well done!” Marc Karlinsky: “This was a great way to most. I thought the text/photo ratio was reader. It should have gotten good read- 2nd Place: Des Plaines Journal, Staff: “Ex- utilize a well-known phase, and you have nicely balanced and I don’t know Chad ership. There’s more information in there cellent use of color. Layout is fresh, clean. to be careful to make sure you aren’t the Dare, but he seems to know his stuff and than one realizes.” There’s a definite flow to pages that make only one that’s going to understand the that shows through the writing.” 3rd Place: The Galena Gazette, Staff. this easy to read. Advertisements catch meaning. This is a good example on how 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- Unsung Heroes: “Another attractive and attention.” to do it.” bondale, Staff: “Layout-wise, these were informative section. I don’t award bonus 3rd Place: The Hinsdalean, Jim Slonoff: “I Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, done well. The photos were phenomenal for color, but this section would still stand like the clean feel this paper has. It is read- Alton, Ron DeBrock: ““Creeps it Real” I and placed well to draw the eye without out if B&W. I found it informative and an er-friendly. Photos are vibrant. Excellent love to write headlines, but sometimes the being buried in the text. So much coverage idea to steal. :) Well done.” use of white space.” right words don’t come to you. Good job in multiple sports was evident, I thought Honorable Mention: Times-Tribune, Honorable Mention: The Galena Gazette, on this one.” the pages would burst. Nice job!” Troy, staff. Focus on Collinsville: “It’s a nice Staff: “Colorful pages. The tint color in 3rd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Pete section with a lot of information packed sidebar on page one gets my attention. Division E Hayes and Greg Shashack: “A healthy dose in. A bit more time on organization and Easy to read and easy on my eyes.” of action to reaction, stats and everything layout would have made it easier on the 1st Place: The Herald-News, Joliet, Joseph a reader/avid sports fan could ask for are eyes. Still, it’s a good section, just crammed Division D Hosey. included in these pages, all without being too tightly on the pages.” 2nd Place: Sauk Valley Media, Rusty overbearing.” 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Staff. Schrader. “Mom and pop-up...” “A close- Honorable Mention: Daily Chronicle, Division C 2nd Place: The Southern Illinoisan, Car- knit group,” “Evolution,” “... his own twist ...” DeKalb, Eddie Carifio: “Lots of variety as bondale, Staff. “Learning ...”. far as coverage goes and that’s always nice 1st Place: Austin Weekly News, Chicago, 3rd Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, t o s e e .” Claire Innes, Michael Romain Staff. Jim Rossow. Primp and circumstance. 2nd Place: Journal & Topics Media Group, Honorable Mention: The Telegraph, Honorable Mention: Journal Star, Peoria, Division E Staff. Elk Grove Business Journal. Alton, Staff. Dean Muellerleile. 1st Place: The Times, Ottawa, J.T. Pedelty, Division D Division E Division F Brian Hoxsey, Charlie Ellerbock: “Good photography to support the stories in the 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Eddie 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Staff. 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Darel sports section. Also, a good variety of local Carifio. Daily Chronicle/Friday Night 2nd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Staff. Jevens: “Clever. Catchy. What you want to and national sports stories.” Drive IHSA State Football Preview Section: 3rd Place: The Times, Ottawa, Staff. see in a headline.” 2nd Place: Journal Star, Peoria, Wes Huett, “Excellent writing, crisp photos. Pages 2, Honorable Mention: Sauk Valley Media, 2nd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Eric sports editor, and staff: “Strong photogra- 16 and 15 are not in register - perhaps a Staff. White: “They make you want to read the phy that tells the story before reading the function of the PDF? Fonts too small for stories, that’s for sure. “X’ marks the pot’ article.” reverse type.” Division F was really good.” 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, 2nd Place: The Telegraph, Alton, Jill Moon. 3rd Place: Belleville News-Democrat, Matt Daniels and staff: “You have a good On the Edge of the Weekend: “Cover is 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Jason Koch: “To the point. Clear.” variety of local and national news on your great, ads crisp, photos clear and com- Sun-Times staff: “Comprehensive cover- Honorable Mention: Daily Herald Group, sports pages. The special story on McNutt pelling. Recipes look great. Careful, that age throughout the paper. Great-looking Arlington Heights, Michelle Holdway: was very interesting and the photos en- reverse type is too small (pg. 13). Lounge/ designs and eye-catching headlines and “Nice job. I liked ‘Mother and Nature’ the hanced the story-telling of the piece.” spa articles interesting; like the calendar; photos.” b e s t .” Honorable Mention: Herald & Review, recipes look great; p. 32 car ad too busy 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington Decatur, Justin Conn, Joey Wagner, Mat- and distracting.” Heights, Staff. CLASS 33 - SPORTS SECTION thew Flaten: “Strong photography that 3rd Place: Effingham Daily News, Staff. captures the moment of victory.” Heart of USA: “Good, crisp design, CLASS 32 - HEADLINE WRITING Division A judicious use of reverse type, interesting Division F articles.” Division A 1st Place: The Woodstock Independent, Honorable Mention: The Edwardsville Staff: “Liked the sports-themed ads (ac- 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Intelligencer, Brittany Johnson. The I on 1st Place: Suburban Chronicle, Geneva, centuated the sports theme throughout Sun-Times staff. Local: “Small but effective special section. Jack McCarthy: “Good headlines that are the section). Writing illustrative and emo- 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington Crisp design, great kid and human interest clever, but on point.” tionally immersing. Pictures are of good Heights, Mike Smith, Sports Staff. photos” 2nd Place: The Sidell Reporter, Rinda quality. Section composed well.”

Page 20 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association CLASS 25 - SPORTS PHOTO - CLASS 25 - SPORTS PHOTO - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division B 1st Place: Kane County Chronicle, St. PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division D 1st Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Charles, Sandy Bressner. Mark Busch.

CLASS 25 - SPORTS PHOTO - CLASS 25 - SPORTS PHOTO - PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division E 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Cham- PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY - Division F 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media paign, Rick Danzl. Group, Brian O’Mahoney.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 21 Division E time. I’m probably not going to watch 60 of research, and backed up your state- East Dubuque school referendum: “Good seconds of ads every time I want to see a ments with quotes from experts. You are mastery of subject that presented well to 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Staff. The video. Great site!” on your way. I am sure your editor is glad the reader.” Answer Book: “What a unique way to com- Honorable Mention: Chicago Daily Law you are on his/her staff.” 3rd Place: The Galena Gazette, Brandon municate important issues and industries Bulletin, Tanya Meyer, Emma Zelewsky: 3rd Place: Shelby Niehaus, St. Elmo Ban- Behlke. Hotel-motel tax down for large in the community.” “OK, so this site probably isn’t going to win ner: “You have big shoes to fill! In some lodging: “Good structure for the reader to 2nd Place: Sauk Valley Media, Staff. in the category and the competition it’s ways it wasn’t quite fair for a reporter/edi- follow. Very nice incorporation of a graph.” Spotlight: “Businesses are important to the facing - but for what it’s target audience is, tor to have to compete with reporters only. vitality of a community. The section high- this is a great site. In my opinion, it NAILS Your stories are full of detail and interest- CLASS 40 - Knight Chair Award for BEST lights multiple businesses across indus- the demographic, including font and style ing to read, and you must be busy busy INVESTIGATIVE/ENTERPRISE REPORTING tries, which is informative for the readers.” choices and overall theme. I really liked it, busy, but you don’t take shortcuts and care 3rd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, well done!” about the qualify of your work. This was Division B Matt Daniels, Colin Likas, Joe Vozzelli. a tough category to judge; all entrants are Women in football: “Very unique ap- Division Non Daily deserving of recognition. I’m sure you are 1st Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Staff. proach to football coverage. This has been glad to be in this business.” Decatur addressing population losses: “A a news item discussed on the national 1st Place: Republic-Times, Waterloo, Scott thorough data-driven series that revealed level and it’s nice to see it localized.” Woodsmall, Corey Saathoff, Christine CLASS 38 - Robert M. Cole Award for BEST the identity of the owners of vacant, run- Honorable Mention: The Times, Ottawa, Otten: “This was a tough choice between SCHOOL BOARD COVERAGE down properties in the city and followed Staff. “Good diversity of stories and sup- 1st and 2nd. R-T gets the nod due to easy up on stories done in 2017. A fine example porting art with the stories.” nav (specifically mobile). I am really im- Division Daily of continuing to stay on an issue of signifi- pressed with the Milestones section - love cant importance to the community.” Division F it! How do you get such great photos from 1st Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, 2nd Place: Daily Southown, Tinley Park, readers?! Some are pro, but others obvi- Lyndsay Jones: “Excellent portfolio of Zak Koeske. Series on Matteson educator 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago ously aren’t and they still look great. Good stories, all demonstrating the various roles who resigned after past sexual misconduct Sun-Times staff. Your guide to the perfect local content, love the attention to detail. a school board plays in the community. allegations surfaced: “The methodical Chicago summer: “Trying to choose 1st Congratulations on a great website.” Thoughtfully crafted and informative.” investigation performed an important and 2nd for my front runners has become 2nd Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chica- 2nd Place: The News-Gazette, Champaign, public service by illuminating how a school my personal torment. Ultimately, I picked go, Staff: “Choosing between 1st and 2nd Noelle McGee: “A wonderfully diverse col- board, without doing routine background the Chicago guide because of its usefulness was very difficult. I love LOVE the top nav lection of stories. Great work detailing the checks, hired a principal accused of sexual for literally millions of people. I’d love to here with the different locales, but was a board’s role in forming a co-op high school misconduct at his former school.” see the stacks of notes and photos that it little distracted by the right rail “TREND- in the Learning Curve story.” The Herald-News, Joliet, Felix took to create this section. The photos are 3rd Place: ING” where both headline and intro 3rd Place: Herald & Review, Decatur, Val- Sarver. Investigation of state’s attorney spectacular and I couldn’t find an article/ sentence are abbreviated - so I don’t know erie Wells, Justin Conn: “Very diverse and listicle that I thought was too long or too giving jobs to family and friends: “Strong what the story is. I’d rather see more of one detail-oriented. Great job getting multiple enterprising reporting that exposed the short. I absolutely love the “Fest” calen- or the other so I can browse the content. points of view on each topic.” dar. And, it was obviously a great revenue hiring of friends and family by a state’s The site is fast and intuitive, mobile looks Honorable Mention: Lake County attorney dodging nepotism laws.” source as well - you should be very proud great too. Well done.” News-Sun, Gurnee, Emily K. Coleman: of this.” Honorable Mention: The Herald-News, 3rd Place: The Journal-News, Hillsboro, “Well-written and thoughtfully presented Joliet, Felix Sarver. Investigation of bank 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington Staff: “Nothing revolutionary, but a solid, narratives. Good work showing the impor- robber killed at his home by a police Heights, Jim Baumann, Staff. Be A Tourist nice website. The home page is clean, tance of transparent school board election officer: “The continued coverage of a police In Your Own Backyard: “Trying to decide LOVE the font choice. I was distracted by campaigns in the D60 Fines story.” shooting and relentless raising of questions 1st and 2nd for my front runners has be- the left-hand rail “Around Town” being about the investigation was admirable come my personal torment. I’ve never seen all from one business (Roger Jennings?). Division Non Daily watchdog reporting.” anything like this, and can’t imagine the Smug Mug is a great idea too.” amount of work involved. The content is Honorable Mention: The Galena Gazette, 1st Place: Ledger-Sentinel, Oswego, Division C GREAT, very complete and well written/ed- Staff. Shea Lazansky: “Depth, enterprise, and ited. I do wonder about the revenue piece, connecting the community to the board’s 1st Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, was it funded by tourism group, or? Well CLASS 36 - PUBLIC NOTICE JOURNALISM work set this entry apart. Good detail work Jennifer Smith Richards, Jodi S. Cohen, done, I am sure this was hugely popular.” AWARD on the referendum coverage, fully inform- 3rd Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago ing readers. Exceptional in a field of many Lakeidra Chavis. The Quiet Rooms by Chicago Tribune/ProPublica Illinois: “An Sun-Times staff. Auto Chicago: a celebra- Division Non Daily great entries.” tion of our city’s love affair with all things 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Hillary extraordinarily thorough and heartbreak- four wheels: “The top 3 in this category are 1st Place: Kendall County Record, Dickerson: “Well-reported, good writing ing investigation into how Illinois schools VERY close. I wish the PDF here had been Yorkville, Katie Finlon. Yorkville Bowl, and enterprise on a difficult situation. -En unlawfully secluded or restrained special uploaded in spreads. I’d love to see it with Pinheadz under foreclosure: “Kendall try demonstrates fair coverage and detailed education students. Deeply reported and the photos spanning the pages. The Route County Record utilized an assortment of board meeting reporting. Many quality documented, the stories led to outrage and 66 and Driven To Succeed lists were abso- public records to shine a light on the busi- entries this year.” reforms.” lutely fabulous!” ness community, including a change in 3rd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Honorable Mention: Chicago Sun-Times, the ownership of a popular bar & grill and Chicago, Kimberly Fornek: “3 Great David Jackson, Madeline Buckley. Do- Chicago Sun-Times staff. 2010-2019: The financial problems of another business.” enterprise and depth on an ongoing and mestic violence victims face risk of being decade in review: “Lots of content, obvi- 2nd Place: Times-Tribune, Troy, Staff. complicated situation, notably including attacked again following Cook County ously a revenue winner, too. I didn’t love Homeowners Voice Concerns About coverage of financial backing for referen- reforms: “By analyzing nearly 2,700 police the cover, although I see the intent. TBH, Rezoning: “Times-Tribune got its lead for dum committees.” reports The Tribune showed how a pro- the opening columnist kind of spoiled it a report about a homeowners’ group that Honorable Mention: Oakland Indepen- gram of lowering bonds for those accused for me.” was tracking developments at a former golf dent, Janice Hunt: “Well-done local board of domestic violence was endangering course that bordered their neighborhood.” coverage and issue coverage, especially their victims. A solid combination of a sys- CLASS 35 - BEST WEBSITE examining teacher shortage locally.” temic look at documents and effective use CLASS 37 - EDITORIAL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR of disturbing and shocking examples.” Division Daily CLASS 39 - Maurice Scott Award for BEST 3rd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group, Division Non Daily COVERAGE OF TAXATION Staff. Henry Pratt Mass Shooting Exposes 1st Place: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Flaws in Illinois Revocation of Guns: “In Sun-Times staff: “Truly a great website 1st Place: Stacey Sheridan, Wednesday Division Daily a stellar example of how to move from and the obvious front-runner. Fast, easy Journal of Oak Park & River Forest: “This breaking news to exposing a failing system, nav mixed with vast info and multimedia was difficult competition, but your stories 1st Place: Quincy Herald-Whig, Ethan the Chicago Tribune and Aurora Bea- integration puts it on top.” include lots of quotes and details, and they Colbert. Food and Beverage Tax Plan. con-News in Aurora joined to investigate 2nd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Staff: are put together well. Your leads could 2nd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arling- a workplace shooting. The investigation “Impressive navigation, nice and intuitive be a lot splashier, but that skill will come ton Heights, Jake Griffin. Jake Griffin, Tax showed that the killer, a convicted felon, - it felt familiar as soon as I logged in. Good with time. You do very good work. You just Watchdog. was just of thousands of persons in Illinois speed, love the care that was given to image joined the newspaper staff and have done who should never have obtained - or kept thumbnails (no weirdness). Absolutely love so much in a few months. You should be Division Non Daily guns after the their licenses were revoked.” the font choices here, too. Great website.” proud of yourself!” Honorable Mention: Chicago Sun-Times, 3rd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington 2nd Place: Brandon Behlke, The Galena 1st Place: The Woodstock Independent, Stephanie Zimmermann. GI Bill failures, Heights, Staff: “I like the prominence of the Gazette: “It is always encouraging to see Larry Lough. Sales tax, TIF, local fuel tax, broken promises: “In-depth reporting DH latest news. GREAT headline crafting, people leave other professions to become cannabis tax: “Good, clear explanation of on one veteran’s family plight that led to and the index by local is cool. One down- journalists. They follow their hearts. You’ve the topics at hand that a reader can easily exposing how veterans are wrongly denied side is there seemed to be a lot of preroll tackled some tough issues - human traf- follow and become informed.” GI payments for their children’s educa- yesterday and today, not sure if it’s all the ficking, teacher shortages - and done lots 2nd Place: The Galena Gazette, Dan Burke. tion.”

Page 22 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association Illinois Press Association’s 2019 Sweepstakes Winners David B. Kramer Memorial Trophy Will Loomis Memorial Trophy Mabel S. Shaw Memorial Trophy The Woodstock Independent The MidWeek, Dekalb The News-Gazette, Champaign 2nd Place: Oakland Independent 2nd Place: Pioneer Press Media Group, Chicago 2nd Place: Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake 3rd Place: Bureau County Republican, Princeton 3rd Place: Journal & Topics Media Group 3rd Place: Quincy Herald-Whig 4th Place: e Sidell Reporter 4th Place: Austin Weekly News, Chicago 4th Place: Journal Star, Peoria e David R. Kramer Memorial Trophy was es- e Will Loomis Memorial Trophy is awarded to e Mabel S. Shaw Memorial Trophy is awarded tablished in 2014 by the Kramer family in memory a Division C weekly newspaper. e Cook County to a Division E daily newspaper. It was established of the late publisher of the Gibson City Courier and Suburban Publishers Association established it in 1994 and contributed by the Shaw family in the other Kramer weekly newspapers. It is awarded in 1949 in memory of William W. Loomis, former memory of the late publisher of e Telegraph in to a Division A weekly newspaper. publisher of the LaGrange Citizen. Dixon.

Harold and Eva White Memorial Trophy Patrick Coburn Award of Excellence Stuart R. Paddock Memorial Trophy The Hinsdalean The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale Chicago Sun-Times 2nd Place: e Galena Gazette 2nd Place: Daily Chronicle, DeKalb 2nd Place: Chicago Tribune Media Group 3rd Place: e Journal-News, Hillsboro 3rd Place: e Telegraph, Alton 3rd Place: Daily Herald Group, Arlington Heights 4th Place: Cook County Chronicle, Chicago 4th Place: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin 4th Place: Belleville News-Democrat e Harold and Eva White Trophy is awarded to a e Patrick Coburn Award of Excellence is award- e Stuart R. Paddock Memorial Trophy is Division B weekly newspaper. It was established in ed to a Division D daily newspaper. It was estab- awarded to a Division F daily newspaper. It was 1990 and contributed by SUN Publications, a divi- lished in 2011 and contributed by Patrick Coburn, established in 1978 and contributed by the Pad- sion of Copley Newspapers, in honor of Harold and former publisher of the State Journal-Register and dock family in memory of the late publisher of the Eva White, former publisher of SUN Publications in vice president of Copley Press, Inc. Chicago newspaper company. Naperville.

Illinois Press Association • September 2020 • Page 23 Topweb isn’t a Publisher. We’re a commercial printer. We want to be your printer. Let’s talk.

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Page 24 • September 2020 • Illinois Press Association