Awards

Shaw Local newspapers received a combined 33 awards Thursday, June 5, 2025, in news contest categories that included general excellence, photography, news writing, opinion writing, design, community service and editorial pages.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 has announced that 19 of its students have been named recipients of the Joliet Region Hawk Education Scholarship.

The LTHS 205 Foundation presented staff members nominated by students with their annual William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award and the Golden Key Award on Thursday.

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital received its fourth Magnet designation and its first Magnet with Distinction designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Plainfield Foundation for Excellence has awarded 22 District 202 teachers with grants that will allow them to take part in special professional growth programs this summer.

Allison Burrs of Carroll County took first place in the Senior Individual Presentation category.

Scholarships and student achievement awards have been given to students in the Rock Falls High School Class of 2025.

The 12 Plainfield District 202 juniors can use the Horizon Grants for summer workshops, classes, field studies, internships or conferences during the summer before their senior year.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2025 recipients of the annual Joliet Region Education Hawk Scholarship.

Werk Force Brewing in Plainfield earned a bronze medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup.

The city of Joliet is accepting nominations until May 30 for its annual recognition of residents who better the community by sprucing up their own property.

Several groups and individuals were recognized Thursday, May 1, 2025, for their work this past fundraising year. Those awards include Rising Star of the Year, Campaign Champion, Business of the Year, Employee Excellence, Partner Agency of the Year and Spirit of United Way.

This is the third consecutive year Newman High School students have received top awards in the Illinois State Poetry Contest.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is celebrating bird season with its annual bird photography competition for all ages.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum was recently honored by The Illinois Association of Museums by winning its highest award.

All makes, models and years are welcome. Awards will be presented to the Top 40, Mayor’s Choice and Best of Show.

Discover Dixon held its annual Best of Dixon gala Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Elk’s Club to recognize Dixon residents who have exemplified service and commitment to the community.

The members of the Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance are taking a breather after decades of service to Downers Grove and are passing the torch of community activism.

Discover Dixon handed out their Best of Dixon awards during a gala Friday, April 4, 2025. Chris Hammitt was named recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.

The Joliet American Legion Band’s spring concert will also feature refreshments, raffles and a silent auction.

The contest play entry took second place and group interpretation took third in their respective events at the Huntley High School Sectional. 

The 16-year-old won two bronze medals in taekwondo at the USA Team Trials in individual and pair competition in the freestyle poomsae discipline.

Joliet Central High School has announced the top 10 finalists for this year's Mr. and Ms. J. Finalists were chosen by faculty based on school involvement, community service and character.

A teacher from Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 was named as one of ISBE's teachers of the year.

Come experience the feel-good community vibes and celebrate the winners of Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, 4 Under 40, and Volunteer of the Year at the annual Best of Dixon Awards Gala on Friday, April 4.

The two recognitions include the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Alumni Achievement Award.

The culinary program graduates are highly sought after in the food industry. The Michelin Guide recently noted the stellar kitchens where multiple alumni have helped earn accolades.

The Dixon City Council honored two people – one who’s working to create a sober community and a former city commissioner known for his integrity – in observance of Black History Month.

Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C recognized its November and December Students of the Month at its monthly school board meeting.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce presented awards to Brent Reuter and Tygen Bausman and honored three SVACC ambassadors during the Chamber’s annual awards ceremony Thursday at Deer Valley Banquet.

The Sterling Police Department honored two of its own Monday with its Cadet T. Thorp Officer of the Year and Non-Sworn Employee of the Year awards.

The 17th MLK Day of Service in Joliet attracted 700 volunteers performing 2,100 service hours in 30 different projects.

Music and poems were read and performed between presentations to local leaders who received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Justice award.

The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance celebrated local residents' contributions to the community during a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observance Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Church of the Nazarene in Sterling.

The Little Miss Black Joliet pageant allows girls ages 6 to 12 showcase talents and develop poise and confidence.

The SVACC awards scholarships to students pursuing a college degree in a variety of fields.

Two wildly audacious films — Brady Corbet’s 215-minute postwar epic “The Brutalist” and Jacques Audiard’s Spanish language, genre-shifting trans musical “Emilia Perez” — have won top honors at the 82nd Golden Globes

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry has announced the recipients that will be honored at its 2025 Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration of 2024 Success on Feb. 25.

The organization won awards for its efforts in the Economic Vitality, Organization and Volunteer Recognition categories.

It was around 5 a.m. Dec. 31, 2023, when the Bellows family was awakened by their dog Shango’s barking. That’s when they discovered their house was on fire. Four family members, including three children, escaped through the back door.

School District 86's Marycrest Early Childhood Center in Joliet has been recognized by the State of Illinois with the Golden Circle of Quality award for the fourth time in 11 years.

The firm is one of only three funeral homes internationally to receive the Best of the Best Award in 2024.

Werk Force Brewing, located at 14903 S. Center St. #101 in Plainfield, recently earned two silver medals at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Take It Outside Challenge challenges participants to complete nature-themed missions to earn points and win prizes. Two Take It Outside Meetups are scheduled for Oct. 23 and Nov. 17.

Self Help Enterprises, a social services organization in Whiteside County, celebrated its 60th anniversary of empowering individuals with disabilities.

Charles Kested Best of Show ribbon goes to Carol Musial for her jewelry and glass art.

Self Help Enterprises of Sterling held their annual client awards banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. The organization is celebrating 60 years of service.

Elina Triantou of Renaissance Center Banquets in Joliet, said the goal was to “bring together non-profits and celebrate the outstanding efforts of those who have made a difference.”

Five awards were presented to alumni from the University of St. Francis of Joliet, including The Presidential Alumni Award, and one award from each of the university’s four colleges to highlight the university's diverse disciplines.

It was work that brought Earleen Hinton to the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner, and she was busy shooting photos when Donna Mann started reading the Citizen of the Year’s biography