May 27, 2025
Local News

Northwest Herald journalists honored at awards banquet

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SPRINGFIELD, — The Northwest Herald won two major awards so far today in the 2012 Illinois Associated Press Editors Association News and Photo Contest.

Former sports writer Maureen Lynch was honored with a sweepstakes award for a story about late Crystal Lake Central athletic director Doug Blundy, while Senior Web Producer Adam Nekola was named News Innovator of the Year.

Places of other Illinois Associated Press awards were announced in May including 22 for the Northwest Herald which included 11 first place awards for categories such as Best Website, Page Design, Enterprise Story, Headline Writing and others.

Other Illinois Press Association awards will be announced later today.

The (Decatur) Herald & Review won the general excellence award for medium-sized papers with a circulation between 15,001-40,000, and The (Ottawa) Times won the award among newspapers with circulations up to 15,000.

The sweepstakes honor — for the best journalism across all categories — went to the Belleville News Democrat for a series investigating workers compensation abuses by prison workers. Among medium-sized papers, The Northwest Herald won for the story about life lessons from the longtime high school athletic director who died of cancer, and among small newspapers, The (Galesburg) Register-Mail won the sweepstakes for a series on how more than 900 Maytag employees fared after the local plant closed.

Winner of the photo sweepstakes among large newspapers was the (Peoria) Journal Star. Among medium-sized papers, the sweepstakes award went to The (Moline) dispatch, and among small newspapers, it went to the (Freeport) Journal-Standard.

The first-ever News Innovator of the Year award went to The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald for development of the newspaper website's Election Central page.

Member of the Year was a tie between The (Moline) Dispatch/Rock Island Argus and the (Peoria) Journal Star. The Charlie Chamberlain Award, presented annually to an Associated Press staffer, went to Illinois News Editor Hugh Dellios.

The awards were presented at the Illinois Press Association/Illinois Associated Press Editors Association annual meeting.

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Div. A

FIRST PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

The Chicago Tribune

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Chicago Sun-Times

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Div. A

EDITORIAL SWEEPSTAKES

George Pawlaczyk, Beth Hundsdorfer

THE NEWS-DEMOCRAT, BELLEVILLE

Workers' Compensation Investigation

Div. A

PHOTO SWEEPSTAKES

Adam Gerik

JOURNAL STAR, PEORIA

Leap of Love

2012

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

HERALD & REVIEW, DECATUR

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

The Telegraph, Alton

Div B

THIRD PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Div. B

EDITORIAL SWEEPSTAKES

Maureen Lynch

NORTHWEST HERALD, CRYSTAL LAKE

A coach's final lessons

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PHOTO SWEEPSTAKES

Todd Mizener

THE DISPATCH, MOLINE

Grieving father

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

THE TIMES, OTTAWA

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Daily Chronicle,

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

EDITORIAL SWEEPSTAKES

Staff

REGISTER-MAIL, GALESBURG

Maytag employees in transition

Illinois AP Editors Association

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PHOTO SWEEPSTAKES

Joe Tamborello

THE JOURNAL-STANDARD, FREEPORT

Flex for the fans

2012

Member of the year:

The Dispatch/Rock Island Argus, Moline

The Journal Star, Peoria

Division A

FIRST PLACE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

The News-Democrat, Belleville

George Pawlaczyk, Beth Hundsdorfer

"Workers' Compensation Investigation"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

Chicago Tribune

Jason Grotto, Ray Long

"Pension Games"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

The News-Democrat, Belleville

George Pawlaczyk, Beth Hundsdorfer

"Money talks, defendants walk"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

The News-Democrat, Belleville

Kevin Bersett, Zia Nizami, Jacqueline Lee

"Overdose deaths on the rise"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Susan DeMar Lafferty

"Thieves see lots of loot at Metra train stations"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Marni Pyke, Lenore Adkins, Editorial Board

"Fatal Distraction - Series on Distracted Driving"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Chicago Tribune

Gary Marx, David Jackson

"Yasmin's Diary"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

The News-Gazette, Champaign

Patrick Wade

"Worried about the water"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Chicago Sun-Times,

Rosalind Rossi, Art Golab

"Chicago area's top schools"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Chicago Sun-Times

Natasha Korecki, Abdon M. Pallasch, Lauren FitzPatrick

"14 years: Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich is sentenced"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Journal Star, Peoria

John Sharp, Staff

"Enough already"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Staff

"Walloped - The Blizzard of 2011"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Chicago Tribune

Gary Marx, David Jackson

"Fugitives from Justice"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Chicago Sun-Times

Mary Mitchell

"The New Chatham"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Jamie Sotonoff

"Heroin's Heartache"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

FEATURE

Chicago Sun-Times

Mark Konkol

"Standing Tall in Little Village"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

FEATURE

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

Paul Swiech

"A not so normal life"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

FEATURE

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Lauren FitzPatrick

"Our sole purpose is to seek justice for our son"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Chicago Sun-Times

John W. Fountain

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Chicago Sun-Times

Mark Brown

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Journal Star, Peoria

Pam Adams

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

The News-Democrat, Belleville

David Wilhelm, Joe Ostermeier

"Hometown hero keeps cards alive"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

The News-Gazette, Champaign

Bob Asmussen

"Now what?"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Todd Engle

"Wild Wes shootout"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

Chicago Sun-Times

Rick Telander

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

Randy Kindred

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

Rockford Register Star,

Emily Tropp

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Chicago Sun-Times

Mark Konkol

"Worst.Season.Ever."

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Chicago Sun-Times

Sean Jensen

"Derrick Rose: A Love Worn on His Sleeve"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Scot Gregor

"Adam Dunn gets a standing ovation, for a single"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

BUSINESS

Chicago Sun-Times

Art Golab, Kim Janssen

"Powerless"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

BUSINESS

The News-Democrat, Bellville

Mike Fitzgerald

"MidAmerica stories"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

BUSINESS

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

Karen Hansen

"Landmark pizza restaurant"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

Journal Star, Peoria

Gary Panetta

"No Empty Words"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

Dan Craft

"Still standing"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

Chicago Sun-Times

Miriam DiNunzio

"Alpert thrives"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

HEADLINES

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Katie Davis

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

HEADLINES

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

Mark Lewis

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

HEADLINES

Chicago Tribune

Andrew Countryman

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Chicago Tribune

Alex Bordens, Jonathon Berlin, Adam Zoll

"The mayor's reign"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Chicago Tribune

Alex Bordens

"Pedestrians at risk citywide"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Chicago Sun-Times

Greg Good

"Behind Closed Doors at the Field Museum"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Mike Turley

"Deep Freeze"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Rockford Register Star,

Adam McHugh

"Reflections"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Chicago Sun-Times

James Smith

"The Takeover"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Staff

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

The News-Democrat, Bellville

Carla Anderson, Joe Ostermeier and staff

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Staff

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Brett Roseman

"Skate Back To The '50s"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Brett Roseman

"Every Day Is Grandparents' Day"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

Steve Smedley

"Posing as the Pope"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

Journal Star, Peoria

Adam Gerik

"Leap of Love"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

Chicago Sun-Times

Jean Lachat

"Goodbye, Maggie Daley"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

Journal Star, Peoria

Ron Johnson

"Grief of a Father"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Ted Schurter

"Mindful Eating"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

The Pantagraph, Bloomington

David Proeber

"Beware bare feet"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Ted Schurter

"Economizing Dinners"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Joseph P. Meier

"Storm Clouds"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Steve Lundy

"motocross"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Joseph P. Meier

"Rain Drops"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

PICTURE STORY

State Journal-Register, Springfield

David Spencer

"Living History"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Journal Star, Peoria

Fred Zwicky

"Monkey House"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Journal Star, Peoria

Fred Zwicky

"Megan's Battle to Heal"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

The News-Gazette, Champaign

Robert K. O'Daniell

"Ebertfest"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Matt Marton

"Farmer"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

Journal Star, Peoria

Fred Zwicky

"Father lost when young, still an influence on her life"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

The News-Gazette, Champaign

Rick Danzl

"Helmet Twist"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

Journal Star, Peoria

Fred Zwicky

"Dangerous Bike"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

State Journal-Register, Springfield

David Spencer

"Dirt Track Danger"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Justin L. Fowler

"Me and My Shadow"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

The News-Gazette, Champaign

John Dixon

"Lightning cancels scrimmage"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

Chicago Sun-Times

Tom Cruze

"Harness Racing"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Joseph P. Meier

"Drowning"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

The News-Gazette, Champaign

Robin Scholz, Robin Scholz

"Accident Search"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

SouthtownStar, Tinley Park

Matt Marton

"Blizzard"

Div. A

FIRST PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Chris Young

"From Springfield, with love: A day for WWII veterans"

Div. A

SECOND PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

State Journal-Register, Springfield

Ted Schurter, Molly Beck

"Ossie Langfelder's incredible journey"

Div. A

THIRD PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Daily Herald Photo Staff

"9/11 remembered after 10 years"

Div. A,Div. B,Div. C

FIRST PLACE

NEWS INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Adam Nekola

"Election Central"

Div. A,Div. B,Div. C

NEWS INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

RUNNER-UP

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Jennifer Wheeler

"Live blogging from the Nicholas Sheeley murder trial"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Staff

"Housing Road Map: A Survival Guide; Navigating the housing market"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

The Dispatch, Moline

Stephen Elliott, Dawn Nueses

"A system overwhelmed"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

News-Tribune, LaSalle

Matthew Baker, Tom Collins

"Furry Babies: Fuzzy origins"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

Journal Gazette, Mattoon

Staff

"Work Wanted"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Kevin Craver

"Coincidence or Cluster: McCullom Lake Brain Cancer cases"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

Herald & Review, Decatur

Theresa Churchill

"Overlooked victims"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Chelsea McDougall

"Could Japan-like disaster happen here?"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Kevin P. Craver

"Writing the rules and cashing In"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Tara Becker, David Giuliani

"Teachers texting students: Crossing the line"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Staff

"Emington murders"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Staff

"Blown Away: Massive A.M. Storm Leaves 852K In Dark"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale

Codell Rodriguez, Brent Stewart

"Du Quoin firefighter dies battling Pinckneyville blaze"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

News-Tribune, La Salle

Staff

"Unemployment: Safety net or vicious circle?"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Staff

"Rural Life"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

The Dispatch, Moline

Roger Ruthhart, Kermit Stevenson

"The Spirits Among Us: Mammouth hunting nomads first to arrive here"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

FEATURE

Herald & Review, Decatur

Allison Petty

"Dearly beloved: Cheryl Bryson, a woman with Down syndrome"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

FEATURE

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Jenny Young

"The Boo Brothers: Man amazed by deaf-blind brother"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

FEATURE

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Maureen Lynch

"A coach's final lessons"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Kevin Craver

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Beacon-News, Aurora

Denise Crosby

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

The Telegraph, Alton

Pete Hayes

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

The Dispatch, Moline

Marc Nesseler, sports ed. and staff

"Rocks win state 3A title"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Staff

"NFC Championship: Packers 21, Bears 14"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Steve Soucie

"Local teams struggle to put ball in basket"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

Herald & Review, Decatur

Mark Tupper

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Will Larkin

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

The Dispatch, Moline

Marc Nesseler

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Maureen Lynch

"A coach's final lessons"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

The Telegraph, Alton

Pete Hayes

"Brewers' Hairston Jr. grows up, but remains pain to La Russa"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Matt Schuckman

"Making It All Add Up"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

BUSINESS

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Staff

"Still hurting: 10th anniversary of Northwestern Steel and Wire shutdown"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

BUSINESS

Herald & Review, Decatur

Nicole Harbour

"Getting carded: Debit or credit, businesses agree they're more popular than cash, checks"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

BUSINESS

Herald & Review, Decatur

Chris Lusvardi

"On-the-job training: First year for McGorray's Golf & Grille has been a learning experience"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Jami Kunzer

"Local high school musicals help teens direct their own lives"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Jeffrey Westhoff

"Scream" probably sharpest in franchise"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Jessica M. Martin-Cate

"Residents honor veterans through music, comedy show"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

HEADLINES

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

R. Scott Helmchen

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

HEADLINES

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Julie Marra

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

HEADLINES

Herald & Review, Decatur

Jane Ruppert

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Terry Yohnka, Evan Hill

"2 tales of corruption"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Herald & Review, Decatur

Jean Zerfowski

"Titanic - By the numbers"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Dave Lemery

"The War in Iraq"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

R. Scott Helmchen

"Pests dA(copyright) resistance"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Staff

"Snow-verwhelmed"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

R. Scott Helmchen

"Hero worship"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Adam Nekola, Staff

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

Journal Gazette, Mattoon

JG-TC Staff

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Angel Sierra

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Lance Booth

"Strawberry field"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

The Dispatch, Moline

Paul Colletti

"Big snow, big chill"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

Beacon-News, Aurora

Brian Powers

"Police Academy"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

The Dispatch, Moline

Todd Mizener

"Bird's Eye View"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

Beacon-News, Aurora

Brian Powers

"Civil union"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

The Dispatch, Moline

Todd Mizener

"Clearly I have failed"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

The Dispatch, Moline

Todd Mizener

"Top Scorer"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Alex T. Paschal

"Inside the Mind"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

The Dispatch, Moline

Kermit Stevenson, Paul Colletti, Stephanie Makosky Veto

"Best of the Big 6"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

The Telegraph, Alton

John Badman

"Fishing In a Frame"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Philip Marruffo

"Racing the Sun"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Alex T. Paschal

"Harvesting"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Nicholas Holstein

"Fatherhood comes 1st"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Alex T. Paschal

"Dirty Pictures"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Nicholas Holstein

"Hours mount for CPA"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

The Dispatch, Moline

Todd Mizener

"Grieving father"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

Lake County News-Sun, Waukegan

Thomas Delany Jr.

"Houseless"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Lance Booth

"braincancer"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Phil Carlson

"Off the Fingertips"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

Sauk Valley Newspapers, Sterling

Philip Marruffo

"Scramble"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

Lake County News-Sun, Waukegan

Rob Dicker

"I Got It"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

Beacon-News, Aurora

Brian Powers

"Watermelon break"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

The Dispatch, Moline

Paul Colletti

"Welcome home"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Lance Booth

"demo derby"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Journal Gazette, Mattoon

Herb Meeker

"Fire consumes car abandoned north of Mattoon"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Journal Gazette, Mattoon

Kevin Kilhoffer

"Broken water main"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Daily-Journal, Kankakee

Mike Voss

"Criminal cornered in cornfield"

Div. B

FIRST PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Lance Booth, Adam Nekola

"Beyond the Game"

Div. B

SECOND PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake

Adam Nekola, Jenny Kane, Staff

"Housing Road Map: A Survival Guide"

Div. B

THIRD PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

The Herald-Whig, Quincy

Staff

"Quincy School Board Controversy"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Caitlin Mullen, Jeff Englehardt, Kate Schott

"CommunityWorks series"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Jay Redfern, Staff

"The Register-Mail is lead "cheerleader" for Reader's Digest contest"

THIRD PLACE

PUBLIC SERVICE

N/A

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Staff

"Testing the process of public access in DeKalb County"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Travis Morse

"Out and Proud in Freeport"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

ENTERPRISE STORY

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Jennifer Wheeler

"911 facing funding shortfall"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Staff

"The bus stops here - Obama visits Galesburg"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Staff

"Can you dig it?"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

BREAKING NEWS

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Caitlin Mullen, Bill Braksick

"Exhumation will give Ridulph case new look"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Staff

"Maytag employees in transition"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Staff

"Tracking Poverty"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

ENTERPRISE SERIES

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Staff

"Broken Benefits: DeKalb County and Illinois' Public Pension Crisis"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

FEATURE

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Tom Loewy

"A life born of poor decisions, low expectations ..."

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

FEATURE

The Times, Ottawa

Dan Churney

"Coming alive at life's end: Terminally ill woman takes in big breaths"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

FEATURE

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Tom Loewy

"The visible man"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Tom Loewy

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Lauren Stott

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

COLUMN OR BLOG

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Jason Schaumburg

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Aaron Frey

"Obama makes Silver Streaks practice one to remember"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

Courier, Lincoln

Erik Jacobsen

"Sabres capture first regional title"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Adam Kradle

"Indians prove to be Super"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Aaron Frey

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

The Times, Ottawa

J.T. Pedelty

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS COLUMN OR BLOG

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Ryan Wood

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Courier, Lincoln

Erik Jacobsen

"Going from High School to the pros"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Courier, Lincoln

Erik Jacobsen

"Westminster Christian's other ace"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

John Sahly

"Attitude wins out"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

BUSINESS

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Dave Manley

"The professional of pretend"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

BUSINESS

Register-Mail, Galesburg

John Pulliam

"John Pulliam - 3 stories"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

BUSINESS

The Times, Ottawa

Julie Stroebel

"La Salle County will see nurse shortage...Area students ride wave of cresting career"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Lisa Coon

"No lotta shakin' going on"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Jane Lethlean

"In the Spirit of Peace"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Jane Lethlean

"Hard-Knock Life"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

HEADLINES

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Jason Yates

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

HEADLINES

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Jay Redfern

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

HEADLINES

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Rob Buck

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

The Times, Ottawa

Julie Stroebel

"Cleaning the Board"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

The Times, Ottawa

Emily Steele

"Holiday Travels"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Christina Landon

"Timeline of a murder spree"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Jay Redfern

"Tracking Poverty"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Kurt Cunningham

"Snow Daze"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

PRINT NEWSPAPER PAGE DESIGN

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Jay Redfern

"9/11 The Day America Changed"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Staff

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Staff

THIRD PLACE

NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

N/A

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

The Times, Ottawa

Doug Larson

"Water Fight"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Joe Tamborello

"Stretching before the show"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

FEATURE PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Rob Winner

"Cooling Off"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

The Times, Ottawa

Doug Larson

"A Pox on Chickenpox"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Classmate remembered"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Black Fried Out"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"App addict"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Cash Crop"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Rob Winner

"A Kids' Game"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Smoke Runner"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Backwards bowl"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

PICTORIAL PHOTO

The Times, Ottawa

Doug Larson

"Buddy Holly"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Poverty level"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Alzheimer's - no black and white malady"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

PICTURE STORY

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Cornerstone"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Kyle Bursaw

"Missing Brother"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

The Times, Ottawa

Tom Sistak

"40 Days of Prayer"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"D-Day Vet"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

The Times, Ottawa

Tom Sistak

"Out Of The Saddle"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Rob Winner

"That's a Throw-In"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS ACTION PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Kyle Bursaw

"Stretch for Catch"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

The Journal-Standard, Freeport

Joe Tamborello

"Flex for the fans"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Rob Winner

"Winning at the Line"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Kyle Bursaw

"Cheer Leading"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Rob Winner

"Firefighter on the scene"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Daily Chronicle, De Kalb

Rob Winner

"Genoa Fire"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Drive-by shooting"

Div. C

FIRST PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"The Visible Man - Harold Palash"

Div. C

SECOND PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams

"Alzheimer's - no black and white malady"

Div. C

THIRD PLACE

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Register-Mail, Galesburg

Nick Adams