Winners
Group I
3rd: The Woodford County Journal
2nd: The Woodstock Independent
1st: Hampshire Register-News
Comment: Great photography, color bars anchoring top and bottom of page
and a prominent masthead are some elements of the News' front-page design
edge over its competitors this year, although all entries are well designed.
Inside, well-defined sections, more good use of art, readable (though basic)
fonts and good ad placement contribute to a working overall design. Inside
and out, ink and press production was very consistent, rendering clear images
and crisp line art.
Group II
HM: Bureau County Republican
3rd: Ledger-Sentinel
2nd: The Doings
1st: The Star
Comment: The Star wins over design fans of both broadsheet and tabloid format
by offering pleasingly designed sections in both choices. Good fonts for
headlines and text, judicious and effective use of color, good white space,
page balance (both vertically and horizontally) and excellent columnar dimensions
are evident and consistent throughout the newspaper.
Group III
3rd: The Daily Journal
2nd: Kane County Chronicle
1st: The Beacon News
Comment: The Beacon News makes great use of virtually every newspaper design
concept. Excellent use of color in both art and graphics, extremely good
press reproduction, prominent but not clumsy section headers, readable columns
and good white space are all satisfied. Careful use of justified vs. Ragged
text, indexes that are very easy to read, and good ad placement are additional
elements that all combine to produce a very attractive, reader engaging
newspaper.
HEADLINE
Group I
3rd: Cheryl Wolfe, Roanoke Review, "Village ponders another burning question," "Residents using and re-using recycling bin," Jail kitchen is steamy topic at county board"
2nd: Editorial Staff, The Woodstock Independent, "Time to 'stalk' up on tart and tangy rhubarb," "Gravel Gertie rises out of the pits," "Bag Queen and her heirs"
1st: Dean Curtis, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News,
"There's always room for cello," "Church exiled from Main
Street," "Horse packing plant gets 'nay' from Kirkland resident"
Comment on "There's always room for cello": This clever headline
draws the reader into a story about a young woman's upcoming recital.
Group II
3rd: Tom Martin, Bureau County Republican, "Internet luring some shoppers," "Learning with a slurp," "Sheriff charged, but still in charge"
2nd: Kathy Siebrasse, The MidWeek, "Sea of opportunity at camp," "DeKalb company has the edge," "Meier sinks teeth into zipper art"
1st: Kim Kubiak, Sycamore News, "Spring showers
grow millionaires"
Comment on "Spring showers grow millionaires": How else could
one explain what appears to be a jackpot-lottery trend?
Group III
3rd: Mary Lu Laffey, The Daily Journal, "Just the flax, ma'am," "Her mission is possible," "Looking for heroes in all the right places"
2nd: Brian Noonan, The Beacon News, "Taxpayers cozy up to 1040.com," "'Grease lighting," "Police hope kids won't turn over new leaves"
1st: Joe Gillette, The Beacon News, "Gas price
no gauge of quality of the fuel," "Honest, it's Abe on the plate,"
"Payton Pilsner taps gold"
Comment on "Honest, it's Abe on the plate": Great combination
of words tops a story about the new license-plate design chosen by Illinois
residents.
GENERAL FEATURE
Group I
3rd: Cheryl Wolfe and Jenni L. Poe, The Woodford County Journal, "Good neighbor policy"
2nd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Hang on to your fuse boxes"
1st: J. W. Shults, The Woodford County Journal,
"A place of peace"
Comment: The lead sets the scene, and what follows is an interesting story
with strong quotes.
Group II
3rd: Iva-Marie Palmer, The Reporter, "Fight nights hit club scene here"
2nd: Myra Eder, The Star, "Golf 101: The first lesson"
1st: Karen Chadra, The Doings, "The lore and
lure of the cosmos"
Comment: This readable, informative story about a complex subject probably
makes the ordinary reader want to go into their back yard on a dark night
and look up.
Group III
HM: Kara Spak, The Beacon News, "Burning faith"
3rd: Tracy Ahrens, The Daily Journal, "Mower madness"
2nd: Peggy Schneider, The Daily Times, "Deckhands and Mary G tug at the river's heart"
1st: Catherine Ann Velasco, The Herald News, "Inside
looking out"
Comment: Thorough research is the obvious framework for this enlightening
story about a troubling ailment which afflicts some children.
PERSONALITY FEATURE
Group I
3rd: J.W. Shults, The Woodford County Journal, "School's out...for good"
2nd: Christen Pudlewski Embry, The Regional News, "When iron speaks"
1st: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Warren
forges his way in world of art"
Comment: This writer made the thoughts of an artist come alive.
Group II
3rd: Jennifer Thomas, The Doings, "Walking the beat"
2nd: Sherri Trotter, Bureau County Republican, "No time to die"
1st: Stefanie Frazier, Kendall County Record, "A
higher calling than the law"
Comment: This reporter captured the mysticism of a mid-career change to
become a monk.
Group III
HM: Art Perterson, The News Sun, "Show her the money"
3rd: Steve Lord, The Beacon News, "Teacher, mentor makes himself an example for Aurora's youths"
2nd: Stephanie Aschinger, Daily Chronicle, "Family that matters"
1st: Tory Brecht, The Rock Island Argus, "Era
ending for onion farmer"
Comment: This writer made the story of an onion farmer smell sweet.
FEATURE SECTION
Group I
2nd: The Regional News
1st: The Woodstock Independent
Comment: The community section presented a nice cross-section of -- yes
-- community life.
Group II
3rd: Ledger-Sentinel
2nd: The Doings
1st: The Star
Comment: The Dimensions section mixed lively writing, expressive pictures
and clever content.
Group III
3rd: The Beacon News
2nd: The Rock Island Argus
1st: Kane County Chronicle
Comment: The Lifestyle section has intelligent stories in an attractive
package.
COLUMN
Group I
HM: Judith Miller, The Elburn Herald, "Holding fast to that small-town feeling"
3rd: Ruth McGinnis, The Regional News, "Of death and dying"
2nd: John Larsen, The Regional News, "Waking the dead"
1st: J.W. Shults, The Woodford County Journal,
"A little girl's big day"
Comment: Shults' theme - the evolution of a child's growing trust - is nicely
carried out...his "what-constitutes-a-big-day-for-this-child"
device keeps this piece moving without resorting to maudlin imagery. Very
nicely put together.
Group II
3rd: Tom Martin, Bureau County Republican, "Pat Boone, Pie and Kitty Litter"
2nd: Kathy Farren, Bureau County Republican, "This really was turmoil"
1st: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "The winter
of the deep, early snow"
Comment: Matile takes us back to a time when the now-sprawling western suburbs
were unforgiving rural outposts, and weather was a matter of life or death.
This fascinating account of winter survival in the 1830s is beautifully
written.
Group III
3rd: Tom Schlueter, Kane County Chronicle, "The story behind Leakgate"
2nd: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "A reality check marked personal"
1st: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "Car
phones a tough cell"
Comment: Crosby's prose is spare but biting. Letting her real-life examples
speak for themselves, Crosby builds a strong case against a practice many
of us take for granted. Writing is excellent.
EDITORIAL
Group I
3rd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Council sliding on slippery slope"
2nd: Richard Parmater, The Regional News, "At what cost?"
1st: J. W. Shults, The Woodford County Journal,
"Time for County Board to put tax caps on the ballot"
Comment: This editorial concerns the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law
(PTELL); specifically, a request that the Woodford County Board put PTELL
on the ballot for a vote. This is a complex, often misunderstood issue.
The editorial widens the readers' knowledge of the pros and cons, while
also pre-empting potential misinformation often common in these matters.
Most important, the editorial supports the right of the people to decide
and calls for no further delay of this commonly feared decision.
Group II
3rd: Jack Murray, The Reporter, "A problem with sharing"
2nd: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "IDOT has yet to make a compelling case"
1st: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "Yorkville
dam is an environmental hazard"
Comment: This editorial proves that complex positions, even when requiring
a good deal of historical context, can be explained with brevity. The editorial
concerns the Yorkville dam, whether it should be removed or rebuilt. We
all learned in the first presidential debate that this is an issue facing
other communities. A national concern. The matter involves multifaceted
environmental and safety concerns that are hardly trivial. It ends with
a biting criticism of the State's stewardship of its natural resources.
Group III
3rd: Lonny Cain, The Daily Times, "Landfill rhetoric is mostly garbage"
2nd: Dave Heun, Kane County Chronicle, "Our view of Railport hasn't changed"
1st: Murray Hancks, The Rock Island Argus, "Year-round
school should be implemented"
Comment: This editorial concerns a matter before a local school district
board, a matter to be decided that evening. It explains the issue clearly
and announces how the board is likely to vote. Most importantly, all relevant
history, process, and political considerations are discussed. It makes a
sensible, well-supported argument. It is well-timed and important. Furthermore,
the specific issue and the paper's position is outlined in a text box, set
apart from the editorial. This has the effect of sparking the interest of
the reader.
SMALL ADVERTISEMENT
Group I
1st: Denise Graff Ponstein, The Woodstock Independent,
self-promotion: "Catch a super deal"
Comment: Very nicely done ad. Clean, clear, concise with nice graphics.
Group II
3rd: Cindi Wuethrich, Catholic Explorer, Self promotion: "What's black and white and read all over?"
2nd: Margaret Bain and Amy VanAllen, The MidWeek, "Fireplace Specialists"
1st: Sandy Chaba, The Doings, "Hinsdale Central
Foundation Golf Event"
Comment: Stands out nicely and reads well for B/W due to showing golfers
in white, rather than the typical photo.
Group III
HM: Amy Fields and Jeff Domagalski, The Daily Journal, "Olivet Nazarene University"
3rd: Allison Truesdale and Laura Warner, The Rock Island Argus, "Whitey's Ice Cream"
2nd: Staff, Kane County Chronicle, "Domus" (home/decorating store)
1st: Shelly Carey, The Daily Times, "Newsome
Physical Therapy"
Comment: Great, original ideas given the nature of the client's business.
Excellent design and use of B/W space; really stands out.
LARGE ADVERTISEMENT
Group I
3rd: Denise Graff Ponstein, The Woodstock Independent, "Woodstock Cyclery"
2nd: Kim Boyd and Leslie Flint, The Elburn Herald, Self promotion: "'Twas just weeks before Christmas"
1st: Denise Graff Ponstein, The Woodstock Independent,
Self promotion: "We're sure you'll be NUTS over the Inde."
Comment: Great us e of color and space. Good illustration/photo which will
require a close look by the reader, which is good. Artwork, graphics go
well with headline.
Group II
HM: Sharon Boehlefeld, The Observer, Self promotion: "Let us point you in the right direction"
3rd: Becky Campbell, The Doings, "Adams and Myers Realtors"
2nd: Jim Slonoff, The Doings, "Hoops for Life"
1st: Peggy Mantia, Catholic Explorer, "Catch
one of these great deals"
Comment: Really good idea to make a series of small restaurant ads work
together as one big unit; making each individual restaurant's listing much
more effective. Excellent color, design, layout, and graphics.
Group III
HM: Staff, Kane County Chronicle, "La Aurora and the World Cafe"
3rd: Barb But and Rhonda Dillon, The Daily Times, "Turn Berry" (Residential homes)
2nd: Amy Fields and Dave Johnson, The Daily Journal, "Taylor Motors"
1st: Dale Attwood and Kathy Hocutt, The Rock Island
Argus, "John Deere Store"
Comment: Once again, The Argus wins with John Deere! As with last year's
winner, a beautifully designed, structured, and executed advertising concept.
Makes me want to go visit!
ADVERTISING SPECIAL SECTION
Group I
HM: The Elburn Herald
3rd: The Woodstock Independent
2nd: Hampshire Register-News
1st: The Regional News
Comment: Sesquicentennial issue -- interesting photos of the township history
-- I especially liked the story about the Depression and its effect on the
township.
Group II
HM: The Sandwich Record
HM: Kendall County Record
3rd: Plano Record
2nd: The Doings
1st: Sycamore News
Comment: Lots of very good and informative stories and lots of content vs.
advertising.
Group III
HM: The Rock Island Argus
3rd: The Daily Journal
2nd: Kane County Chronicle
1st: The Daily Times
Comment: I liked the vignettes of people in various eras of the Century
and the idea of personal remembrances.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Group I
1st: The Woodstock Independent, Woodstock proposal
to house the Challenger Learning Center
Comment: Well-written advocacy for community involvement in bringing a Challenger
Children's Museum to Woodstock. Good research and provision of mechanism
for citizens to act. Convincing editorial and clever cartoon reinforce campaign.
Group II
3rd: Ledger-Sentinel, Election coverage
2nd: The Reporter, General assistance for the needy of Palos Heights
1st: The Doings, First United Methodist Church
Homeless Shelter controversy
Comment: Thorough coverage of local controversy on church's move to offer
shelter to homeless in community with articles giving all sides voice and
humanizing the condition of being homeless -- excellent variety in types
of articles and layouts, capped by a clear and powerful editorial appeal
on behalf of the shelter -- led to success.
Group III
HM: The Daily Times, Late child support payment investigation
3rd: The Rock Island Argus, The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus sue the United Township School Board on violations of the Illinois Open Meetings Act
2nd: Kane County Chronicle, Delnor Hospital policy changed to allow mammography without a prescription from a physician
1st: The Herald News, Campaign to buy video cameras
for police cars to help convict drunk drivers
Comment: Reporter John Whiteside and the News played a major role in launching
and sustaining community interest in a project which helped turn grief for
a four-year-old victim into a community action resulting in successful major
fund-raising to equip. police cars with video cameras. Excellent variety
in campaign, crisp, engaging writing.
SPOT NEWS PHOTO
Group I
3rd: Annette Sanders, The Woodford County Journal, "Power lines were broken"
2nd: Robin Harley, The Elburn Herald, "Mock emergency crisis"
1st: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "Tom Coe
doesn't want any more traffic congestion..."
Comment: Good portrayal of subjects' emotions by catching the hand gesture.
Cutline reinforces storyline well. Reproduction quality is very good.
Group II
3rd: Wayne Ratzlaff, Sycamore News, "...seven injuries in an accident..."
2nd: Lisa Anderson, Bureau County Republican, "James Henry Jr. is life flighted..."
1st: Lisa Anderson, Bureau County Republican, "Daniel
Owens sits next to the remains of the house..."
Comment: The photograph has done a good job here to reflect the tension
of the subject by placing him at the edge of the frame. The converging lines
draw attention to the loss of the individual. Good reproductive quality.
Group III
HM: Bill Jurevich, The Daily Journal, "New Year's day meal"
3rd: Dan Videtich, The Rock Island Argus, "Moline Firefighter Chris Elliot gives oxygen"
2nd: Gary Krambeck, The Rock Island Argus, "Distraught over personal difficulties..."
1st: Bob Gerrard, Kane County Chronicle, "Medical
emergency helicopter"
Comment: The photographer did a very good job in positioning himself to
put the rule-of-thirds elements in play -- blades parallel to plane in image,
good balance and placement of car in foreground. Also great reproduction
quality.
GENERAL FEATURE PHOTO
Group I
3rd: Mary Herra, The Elburn Herald, "Best friends share"
2nd : Wayne Ratzlaff, Hampshire Register-News, "Crayola"
1st : Wayne Ratzlaff, Hampshire Register-News,
"Painting on some school spirit"
Comment: Nice, tight crop. Incorporation of the background elements with
the subject is well done. Low level shooting angle for subject, balance
and economy make this image great. Good use of color, nice reproduction
quality, cutline very informative.
Group II
HM: Joseph P. Meier, The Star, "On her feet"
3rd: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "Glory to old glory"
2nd: Mike Johnson, The Doings, "Baby toots"
1st: Sherri Trotter, Bureau County Republican,
"Learning with a slurp"
Comment: First reaction to this photo would probably be, "How is this
girl going to take a bit out of this watermelon?" There is a lot of
tension here due to the tight crop, leaving the viewer anticipating the
bite. A nice contrast with the innocence shown in the face, painted fingernails,
and shirt decor. Good reproduction of color, subject interest, low level
shooting for subject.
Group III
HM: Larry Herbig, The Rock Island Argus, "5,000 panes to wash"
3rd: Bill Jurevich, The Daily Journal, "Feel the rapture"
2nd: Tom Sistak, The Daily Times, "Ottawa woman..."
1st: Robert Barcroft, Kane County Chronicle, "Hard
landing on the ice"
Comment: Anticipating a spill, this photographer was in great position to
get this shot. The facial expressions and body language capture the moment
perfectly. Nice print quality, use of color, composition, and depth of field.
SPORTS PHOTO
Group I
HM: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Senior Mike Balensiefen hangs in the air..."
HM: William Hickstein, The Regional News, "Stagg's Patty Wayland kicks up sand..."
HM: Wayne Ratzlaff, Hampshire Register-News, "Hampshire outfielder Beth Diaz slides in safely..."
3rd: Mary Herra, The Elburn Herald, "And he's off..."
2nd: Wayne Ratzlaff, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News, "Golfer follows through"
1st: Mark Barra, The Woodford County Journal, "Ouch"
Comment: The reader can almost feel the pain, as a soccer player takes a
ball to the groin. What makes the picture even better is that it depicts
two other bodies flying toward the goal. Plus, the cropping is excellent.
Group II
HM: Steve Stokes, The Doings, "Ryan Murphy beats the throw..."
HM: Wayne Ratzlaff, Sycamore News, "Sycamore Lady Spartan races..."
HM: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Hinsdale Central's Mahaffey slows down..."
3rd: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Lyons Township sophomore goalkeeper is consoled..."
2nd: Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican, "Hall's Michelle Fusinato easily clears the bar..."
1st: Wayne Ratzlaff, Sycamore News, "Sycamore
goalkeeper Tim Smith leaps high..."
Comment: There are a host of players, and emotions, on the faces of these
players -- an excellent color action shot. Nicely-displayed on the page.
Group III
HM: Todd Mizener, The Rock Island Argus, "The thrill of victory"
HM: Thomas Delaney, Jr., The News Sun, "Two key members..."
HM: Robert Barcroft, Kane County Chronicle, "Second baseman Kevin Hooper makes a leaping throw"
3rd: Tom Sistak, The Daily Times, "Mr. Diss chases a calf..."
2nd: Thomas Delaney, Jr., The News Sun, "Five-year-old Mark Kangas practices..."
1st: Bill Jurevich, The Daily Journal, "Team
support"
Comment: The action on the wrestling mat is secondary to the emotions from
the sideline in this extraordinary photo. Great play on the section's first
page...excellent color reproduction...and screen-insert cropping...all add
up to a top-drawer winner!
PHOTO SERIES
Group I
3rd: Wayne Ratzlaff, Hampshire Register-News, "Event saddles up fellowship"
2nd: Marilyn Becker and Mike Crase, Hampshire Register-News, "Coon Creek Country Days"
1st: Wayne Raztlaff, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News,
"Having a field day"
Comment: Among all the competitors, the photographer of this group of pictures
captured some moments of the event in the most natural way. Readers can
see the excitement, the highlight, and the essence of the activities. The
pictures are un-interruptive and interesting. These are the two qualities
that make the group of pictures stand out.
Group II
HM: Lisa Anderson, Bureau County Republican, "Civil War revisited"
HM: Joanne Pleskovich, Ledger-Sentinel, "PrairieFest community celebration"
3rd: Staff, Bureau County Republican, "Bureau County Fair"
2nd: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "Special Olympics"
1st: Joanne Pleskovich, Kendall County Record,
"St. Patrick's Church"
Comment: This group of pictures convey a good sense of "on the move"
both physically and conceptually. The photographer has a good taste of composition
and she combines photos of overall scenes through medium shots to close-ups.
There is also a good mixture of hard news photos and feature photos.
Group III
HM: Arturo Fernandez, The Daily Times, "Before God and family"
3rd: Chuck Thomas, The Rock Island Argus, "A dying breed"
2nd: Chuck Thomas, The Rock Island Argus, "Worship on wheels"
1st: Wayne Baranowski, The Daily Journal, "Camp
Hope"
Comment: This photo story shows readers something they don't normally see
in their daily lives. It contains high news value. The photos tell the essence
of the lives led by the kids with cancer. The warm tones throughout the
photos reveal a sense of hope and care.
SPORTS STORY
Group I
3rd: Don Watson, The Elburn Herald, "Knights swallow bitter loss"
2nd: Cheryl Wolfe, The Woodford County Journal, "On ice"
1st: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent,
"Woodstock Dolphins triple double."
Comment: Fun story about a swim team with three sets of identical twins.
Lots of good quotes.
Group II
HM: Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican, "Life after baseball...retirement can't cure McDonald's itch to pitch"
3rd: Joe Henricksen, Ledger-Sentinel, "Catching up with goodspeed"
2nd: Eric Olson, The Doings, "The minor league circus...area teams mix baseball with entertainment"
1st: Joe Trost, The Star, "I'm lucky to be
here"
Comment: A riveting story of tragedy, family, faith and hope. Good job of
narrative writing.
Group III
HM: Mike Egenes, The Rock Island Argus, "Rocky's Slach: A self-made player"
3rd: Todd McMahon, Kane County Chronicle, "Lights, camera, action: St. Charles trio in state spotlight for fourth and final time"
2nd: Dave Wischnowsky, The Daily Times, "Brownout or not, Shea is still a Brown"
1st: Todd Welvaert, The Rock Island Argus, "R.I.
man recalls days in the NFL"
Comment: A nostalgic trip to the days of the NFL's infancy. The writer does
a great job of bringing history alive through a colorful source.
SPORTS COLUMN
Group I
3rd: Judith Miller, The Elburn Herald, "At the heart of a winning attitude"
2nd: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "A Knight is sometimes-crusty armor"
1st: J.W. Shults, The Woodford County Journal,
"Ode to a day in 1908"
Comment: The writer chronicles how the world has changed since the Cubs
last won a World Series. A fun or depressing read, depending on one's point
of view.
Group II
HM: Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican, "Endresses feel parents' support even in their absence"
3rd: Larry Andersen, Sycamore News, "Fishing for a memory"
2nd: Joe Goddard, The Doings, "Darien's Harry Bull touched by tragedy"
1st: Pat Disabato, The Star, "Prom or State?
Athletes feel pressure"
Comment: With just the right amount of subtle commentary, the writer explores
a difficult decision for a group of high school athletes.
Group III
3rd: Tim Wagner, The Beacon News, "Tomcats discover teamwork and look at 'em now"
2nd: Marc Nesseler, The Rock Island Argus, "Jack Marx gets the ultimate autographed ball"
1st: Bobby Narang, The Daily Chronicle, "Mustangs
lose in school's home finale"
Comment: A sentimental look at a dying school district's final baseball
game. The writer weaves history, emotion and game action into a compelling
column.
SPORTS SECTION
Group I
HM: Cheryl Wormley and Steve Sassi, The Woodstock Independent
3rd: Jeff Wiseman, The Woodford County Journal
2nd: Ken Karrson, Mary Ann Zellman, and Mike Davies, The Regional News
1st: Kathy Astling-Jerbi, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland
News
Comment: Good use of dramatic color photos really enhance this section.
Somewhat gray, but effective, regular use of Sports Brief's make this feature
effective. Inside jumps ad to the grayness, but this seems to be a complete
section nonetheless.
Group II
HM: Joe Henricksen, Ledger-Sentinel
HM: Joe Henricksen, Kendall County Record
HM: Kathy Astling-Jerbi, Sycamore News
3rd: Jeff Davis, The Doings
2nd: Kevin Hieronymus and Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican
1st: Alan Macey, The Star
Comment: Wow! This section is really complete, with a wide variety of coverage.
Good use of color photos. Well-organized, and very readable.
Group III
HM: Jeff Glade, C.C. Campbell, Dave Wischnowsky, and Fred Hoffman, The Daily Times
3rd: Kurt Steidl, Kane County Chronicle
2nd: Steve Nemeth, Daily Chronicle
1st: Marc Nesseler, The Rock Island Argus
Comment: Section with a wonderful appearance. Very complete, with excellent
use of color photos. This section really makes the reader want to read more.
SPOT NEWS STORY
Group I
HM: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Elburn trustee, business partner named in lawsuits"
3rd: Dean Curtis, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News, "Double murder rocks Kingston"
2nd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Celebrating the life of Sarah"
1st: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Bomb
threat shakes school district"
Comment: Here's a perfect example of why small-town newspapers are vital
to their communities. Ryan Wells goes beyond the call of duty with an exhaustive,
informative piece that no doubt answered many of the questions and concerns
of parents and community members.
Group II
HM: Terri Simon, Bureau County Republican, "25 dogs, several cats rescued"
3rd: John Etheredge, Ledger-Sentinel, "Fire guts landmark church"
2nd: Ed Pilolla, The Star, "Area police forces say shootings sign of gang discipline"
1st: Lyle Ganther and Donna Barker, Bureau County
Republican, "State charges murder"
Comment: Lyle Ganther and Donna Barker turn in a top-notch job of reporting
and writing. They go beyond the police and court reports to shed light on
what would seem an unspeakable crime: a woman killing her mother.
Group III
HM: Lee Trigg, The Herald News, "Catholic nun busted for racist graffiti"
HM: Darryl Howlett and Leon Lagerstam, The Rock Island Argus, "Kidnaped girl dead"
3rd: Brian Shields, The Beacon News, "Boy saved from creek"
2nd: Sarah Larson and Kurt Allemeier, The Rock Island Argus, "Tragic end to standoff"
1st: Chris Brenner, Ed Bierschenk, and Dan Moran,
The News Sun, "Planes collide over Zion"
Comment: Chris Brenner, Ed Bierschenk and Dan Moran turned in a superior
effort with their coverage of the fatal plane crash, which too the lives
of three people, including celebrity Bob Collins. The result was a compelling,
first-rate account of a tragedy that shoot a suburb and was felt in all
of Chicagoland.
IN-DEPTH NEWS STORY
Group I
3rd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Kishwaukee River floods area homes"
2nd: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "Forest Preserve fires: Who should fight them?"
1st: Lisa Wiet, The Elburn Herald, "North
side targeted for Metra Track"
Comment: The first-place work of reporter Lisa Wiet and the Elburn Herald
is representative of good old-fashioned reporting, research and investigation.
The article sets out to tell readers exactly how Metra plans to build a
train platform and coach year in Elburn. And the story does it in plain,
simple language. The article allows Elburn residents to understand some
of the complexity of the negotiations and plans, and still feel the potential
impact (both good and bad) of the development.
Group II
3rd: Dean Curtis, Sycamore News, "Growing pains felt"
2nd: Sheri Trotter, Bureau County Republican, "Left behind: DuPue lost jobs, kept contamination"
1st: Penny Wiegert, The Observer, "With thanks
for the giving: Central America a year after Hurricane Mitch"
Comment: Penny Wiegert did a first-rate job for the Observer in her compelling
story of how a little town in Tipitapi, Nicarugua withstood the ravages
of Hurricane Mitch and how the people struggled to put their lives back
together, thanks to the donation of $500,000 from Rockford residents. So
often smaller newspapers don't have the money, imagination or willingness
to follow up on how a local community's donation made a difference in a
far away land. She told interesting stories that were colorful and memorable.
Group III
3rd: Myke Feinman, The Daily Times, "Gambling addiction: A daily battle"
2nd: Tory Brecht, The Rock Island Argus, "Betting against addiction"
1st: Mike Norbut, The Beacon News, "A healthy
alternative"
Comment: Reporter Mike Norbut wrote a compelling story about alternative
medicine, using the remarkable recovery of an Aurora women as an example
of how such medicine can help real people solve difficult health problems.
The writing is lively and the research is excellent.
NEWS STORY SERIES
Group I
3rd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, Peaker power plant controversy
2nd: Judy Miller, Ryan Wells, and Carol Klusman, The Elburn Herald, Railport controversy
1st: Christine Pudlewski Embry, The Regional News,
Palos Heights Mosque controversy
Comment: The reporter tirelessly exposed the bigotry, fear, ignorance and
political deception surrounding this shameful controversy and went the extra
distance to get community opinion out into the open.
Group II
3rd: Iva-Marie Palmer, The Reporter, High School District legal fees
2nd: Joe Hursh, The MidWeek, Railport controversy
1st: Donna Barker, Lori Hamer, and Tom Martin,
Bureau County Republican, Sheriff investigation
Comment: This daring, relentless series of reports was solidly "wired"
into every major angle of a high profile criminal investigation of a public
official.
Group III
3rd: Guy Tridgell, The Herald News, Joliet baseball proposal
2nd: Joe Payne, The Rock Island Argus, Tragic roots
1st: Michelle Krupa, The Beacon News, Working poor
housing shortage
Comment: This in-depth, well-researched, powerfully written effort tore
away one's comfort blanket and convincingly planted the reader into the
shoes of the working poor.
BUSINESS/FINANCIAL/CONSUMER
Group I
3rd: Tim Frystak, The Regional News, "Lights, cameras, posters"
2nd: Cheryl Wolfe, The Woodford County Journal, "Chemical-free corn growing in marketplace"
1st: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "What the
wood knows"
Comment: The story was well-written and interesting to read. Its discussion
of greenery and shortages of tree was important in light of booming development.
Group II
3rd: Dawn Raftery, The Doings, "Getting published the write way"
2nd: Karen Chadra, The Doings, "Here's looking at you"
1st: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "Tax trade-off:
Higher bills, but more services"
Comment: Many tax stories are covered, but few explain tax increases in
ways that readers can relate to. This story does that exceptionally well.
Well-written and easy to understand. Also well-researched.
Group III
3rd: Jonathan Turner, The Rock Island Argus, "Father's day is every day for these dads"
2nd: Ann Aubry, The Daily Times, "It's not easy being green"
1st: Jim Faber, The Beacon News, "Limited
growth"
Comment: Very well-written. Good use of the language to bring the story
alive. Very descriptive piece of work on the wood-crafting industry.
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
Group I
3rd: J.W. Shults, The Woodford County Journal, "The long, hot summer"
2nd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Doug Mather goes gasless in electric car"
1st: Denise Perry Donavin, The Elburn Herald, "Watershed
study provides ideas to avoid floods"
Comment: Watershed study provides ideas to avoid floods. Successful illustration
of the potential of locally initiated studies to obtain funding from country,
regional, stand, and federal sources.
Group II
3rd: Owen Phelps, The Observer, "Parishes have Web pages"
2nd: Karen Chadra, The Doings, "The lore and lure of the cosmos"
1st: Jennifer Thomas, The Doings, "Alternative
medicine: the good, the bad and the Ginko Biloba"
Comment: A well-balanced look at the growing fascination with herbal medicine.
Group III
3rd: Kevin P. Craver, The Daily Times, "Usage of 'PB' pills worries vets"
2nd: Robyn Frendling, The Daily Times, "One family's bout with cystinosis"
1st: Mike Norbut, The Beacon News, "Stem cell
transplants widen options for patients"
Comment: A precise lay discussion of the application and misconceptions
of life-saving stem cell transplants.
INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC
Group I
no awards
Group II
2nd: Greg Wallace, Bureau County Republican, "Per capita defense spending"
1st: Greg Wallace, Bureau County Republican, "Smoking
teens"
Comment: Informational graphics, as the term suggests, must include both
information and graphics. This piece is one of the few than meet this basic
requirement. The design has well-utilized complementary colors to effectively
(as well as pleasingly) present information from different years. A close-up
photo draws attention to the design. Gradient effect adds some sophistication
to the design.
Group III
3rd: Jamie Wilson and Todd Mizener, The Rock Island Argus, "East R.I. county races to pass 'Go'"
2nd: Jamie Wilson, The Rock Island Argus, "Smith held in Denver"
1st: Nancy Burgan, The Daily Journal, "Anatomy
of a jailbreak"
Comment: This piece has well-combined appropriate types and graphics with
a certain degree of flair to effectively convey the information about an
event. The arrangement of arrow bars is both functional and aesthetic. The
use of pictures adds an extra layer of interest.
EDITORIAL PAGE DESIGN
Group I
3rd: The Regional News
2nd: The Woodstock Independent
1st: The Woodford County Journal
Comment: The Woodford County Journal uses a hard-hitting section header
("Perspectives") that lets the reader know even from feet away
which section of the paper is op en. Excellent editorial art is anchored
at the top right corner of the page, which balances the header in the top
module and forces the eye to move left to right. Below the art, clean, consistent
san serif headlines and columnists' photos gently lead the eye into the
text without overwhelming it with a gray blotch of type. The eye then moves
left to the paper's editorial, which is anchored well with a large column
on the left side of the page, and then the page is vertically separated
into three even columns on the right-hand side. The bottom third of the
page is nicely broken up by rules, the staff box and other announcements.
Group II
3rd: Ledger-Sentinel
2nd: Catholic Explorer
1st: The Doings
Comment: The Doings effectively employs a tabloid-size, multi-page format
for its op/ed section. "Opinions" is very well designed and makes
great use of its clean page header and is generous with white space in the
section, which improves its readability. Minimal front-page text, strong
art, accessible body and headline fonts, thin column rules and stylistic
lift quotes make the cover easy to consume quickly, drawing the reader inside
the section for more content. Inside, the two-page spread is nicely balanced
with art, content grouping (columnists on the outsides, correspondence on
the inside) and, again, good fonts and white space.
Group III
3rd: The Daily Times
2nd: Kane County Chronicle
1st: The Rock Island Argus
Comment: Though opening with a smaller, less prominent header, The Rock
Island Argus op/ed section is an excellent, vertically designed contest
entry with art (text and cartoon) balancing both top and bottom of page.
Good use of white space, ragged-right justification and airy fonts with
good interspersing of bold type, and significant modules (a columnist and
reader correspondence) that begin above the fold and force the reader to
open up the whole page.
SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS
For overall excellence in circulation groups I, II, III
Group I (Don R. Grubb Trophy)
The Woodstock Independent
Group II (C.V. Amenoff Trophy)
The Doings
Group III (James Copley Trophy)
The Rock Island Argus
W.E. WILLIAMS AWARD
Sponsored by Star Newspapers for the best single in-depth news story in
Circulation Group II.
2000 winner: Penny Wiegert, The Observer, "With thanks for the giving: Central America a year after Hurricane Mitch"
TOM REAY AWARD
Sponsored by Rockford Register Star for the best single in-depth news story
in Circulation Group III
2000 winner: Mike Norbut, The Beacon News, "A healthy alternative"
1st: The Northern Star of Northern Illinois University
2nd: The Chronicle of Columbia College
3rd: Stentor of Lake Forest College
HM: Malcolm X-Press of Malcolm X College