1999 Contest Winners
DESIGN
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Staff
COMMENTS: Nice typography; clean, simple and well-indexed inside design.
Good page and section headers. The full-color magazine cover contributes
to an upscale, classy feel. A true reader-friendly newspaper.
2nd: Staff
The Woodstock Independent
3rd: Mike Crase
Hampshire Register News
GROUP II
1st: Jamey Fry and Jordan Dzuira
The Geneva Republican
COMMENTS: Typographic consistency, an outstanding opinion section and
strong, logical packaging give this paper the tiniest of edges over the
second-place choice. Good use of color photos on the cover.
2nd: John Roszkowski and Bob Wolf
Fox Lake Press
3rd: Staff
Bureau County Republican
HM: Staff
Elmhurst Press
GROUP III
1st: Staff
The News Sun
COMMENTS The clear winner in this category. Elegant and consistent typography,
good indexing and packaging, and good use of dominant photos and artwork.
Other papers should take a lesson from Copley in the subtle and conservative
use of spot color.
2nd: Staff
The Rock Island Argus
3rd: Staff
Kane County Chronicle
HEADLINE
GROUP I
1st: Dennis Mathes
The Woodstock Independent
COMMENTS: Clever combination of words tells outcome of a high school
wrestling match.
2nd: Josh Larsen
The Regional News
3rd: Mark Barra
Woodford County Journal
GROUP II
1st: Nick Pullia
Elmhurst Press
COMMENTS: Unusual but effective way to herald the promised doom of an
unbelievable traffic bottleneck.
2nd: Claudia Thomas
Warrenville Post
3rd: Steven Holtz and Joseph Sinopol
Suburban LIFE Citizen
GROUP III
1st: Mike Murphy
The Daily Times
COMMENTS: Headline creativity adds to the strength of a story about City
Council.
2nd: Colleen Thomas
Daily Herald
3rd: Phil Angelo
The Daily Journal
HM: James Russell
The Times-Press
GENERAL FEATURE
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Carol Kania
"Grandma's Lindy Hop"
COMMENTS: A sprightly look at the rebirth of swing music among suburban
teens, this feature has it all: great perspectives from old and young, historical
sidebars and great photos from Scott Hardesty. Well-researched, well-written
and nicely presented.
2nd: The Doings
Susan Carlman
"Down in the mainstream"
3rd: The Regional News
Michael Capito
"Pets and their Politicians"
HM: Woodford County Journal
Cheryl Wolfe
"Heartfeld love"
GROUP II
1st: The Star
Margaret Seltzner
"Conflict of interests: Serbian-Americans ponder the future"
COMMENTS: A moving account of Serbian-Americans torn between loyalty
to their homeland and despair over the conflict there which threatens the
safety of family and friends. Well-written and nicely fleshed-out with personal
portraits, this piece does a good job of presenting the simple, human side
of an otherwise incomprehensible conflict.
2nd: The Geneva Republican
Rick Nagel
"These are the good old days"
3rd: Elmhurst Press
Tom McPheron
"Deconstructing the suburbs"
GROUP III
1st: The Herald News
Cindy Wojdyla Cain
"Faith on the move"
COMMENTS: A fascinating look at a burgeoning religious trend -- Americans
are switching denominations in record numbers, and Cain goes in depth to
find out why. Well-written and photographed, this story breathes new life
into "the religion beat."
2nd: The Daily Chronicle
Bob Regan
"Paving the way to history"
3rd: The Rock Island Argus
Todd Walvaert
"Reporter enters world of the beast"
HM: The News Sun
Deneen Smith
"Sophie's cough"
HM: The News Sun
Judith Raibley
"Kids and Christ"
PERSONALITY FEATURE
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Pamela Lannom
"Mrs. Biggert goes to Washington"
COMMENTS: This article made Representative Judy Biggert come alive as
a human being who did normal things in addition to serving in Congress.
2nd: The Regional News
Ruth McGinnis
"The devil's workshop has no room for this worker in wood"
3rd: The Mendota Reporter
Audrey Lawrence
"For Hume, it's been quite a trip"
HM: The Regional News
Beth Kink
"This collector really loves her irons in the fire"
GROUP II
1st: Park Ridge Herald
Deborah Filipek
"Living with leukemia"
COMMENTS: A leukemia patient is treated with respect and with admiration
for the way that she handles her struggle.
2nd: The Star
Jo Ann Mathews
"I just didn't fit in"
3rd: Bureau County Republican
Terri Simon
"Transplanted heart serving 5-year-old"
HM: Addison Press
Maria Kantzavelos
"The positive identity of DuPage coroner"
HM: Warrenville Post
Claudia Thomas
"Young magician's talent is not just hocus pocus"
GROUP III
1st: The Daily Journal
Lee Provost
"Driving under the influence"
COMMENTS: A reporter and photographer went inside Sheridan Correctional
Center to get a personal testament on alcoholism from a prisoner in for
his sixth DUI conviction.
2nd: The Daily Times
Robyn Frendling
"Chainsaw is artist's tool"
3rd: The Rock Island Argus
Sean Leary
"Greeter is a real star at Circa '21"
HM: The Times-Press
Sheri Bellis-Clift
"Walking sticks mimic nature"
HM: The Herald News
Ann Stack
"Fit but not healthy"
FEATURE SECTION
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Susan Ryan
"Indelible Impressions"
COMMENTS: The Friday section regularly uncovers the unusual and interesting
facts and personal thoughts for regular community activities and special
events.
2nd: The Regional News
Staff
"Accents"
3rd: The Woodstock Independent
Staff
"School"
GROUP II
1st: The Star
Tom Savory and Don Snider
"Dimensions"
COMMENTS: The Dimensions section each Thursday makes the far south side
cultural events come alive in a lively presentation.
2nd: Evanston Review
"Virginia Gerst, Bruce Ingram, Dorothy Andries and Andrew Schroeder
"Diversions"
3rd: Catholic Explorer
Staff
"Explorer"
HM: The Observer
Amanda Hudson
"Nation"
HM: Elmhurst Press
Staff
"Spotlight"
GROUP III
1st: The Daily Journal
Cora Weisenberger
"Accent on food"
COMMENTS: The Wednesday Accent on Food section is attractive, creative,
inviting with words and pictures, and makes your mouth water with anticipation.
2nd: Kane County Chronicle
Martha Questch and Judy Reinhart
"Lifestyle"
3rd: The Daily Times
Charlie Fliess and Staff
"LifeTimes"
HM: The Rock Island Argus
Joe Payne and Staff
"Life"
HM: The Herald News
Herald News Staff
"Your Life"
COLUMN
GROUP I
1st: Kip Cheek
The Mendota Reporter
"Dos and Don'ts of school"
COMMENTS: A back-to-school column with an original opening and writing
that kept me reading.
2nd: Ruth McGinnis
The Regional News
"The lump"
3rd: Josh Larsen
The Regional News
"Great expectations"
HM: Kate Harrigan
The Regional News
"You want white meat? Have we got white meat!"
GROUP II
1st: Owen Phelps
The Observer
"Who tells the stories? Life in our media-saturated, self-serve world"
COMMENTS: A thoughtful, well-written riff on "Who Tells the Stories"
places this column far above many others written in the aftermath of recent
school shootings.
2nd: Donna Abear
Grayslake Times
"Grinches are ruining Christmas over Billy Who and Monica Lew"
3rd: Roger Matile
The Ledger Sentinel
"Shouldn't we be in a holding pattern about now?"
HM: Terri Simon
Bureau County Republican
"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"
HM: Tom Parisi
The Batavia Republican
"Toughest Tri-Cities soccer foe: Randall Road"
GROUP III
1st: Dan Moran
The News Sun
"Let's support Sweetness - not mourn him"
COMMENTS: Well chosen words, an intriguing opening and a superb closing
made this column on Walter Payton a pleasure to read (even parts of it aloud
to my spouse!).
2nd: Tom Schlueter
Kane County Chronicle
"Suffering beyond a broken heart"
3rd: Clark Kelly
The Telegraph
"Ryan's visit shows he's losing touch with people"
HM: Jim Binder
The Daily Chronicle
"Memory loss"
EDITORIAL
GROUP I
1st: The Regional News
Richard Parmater
"Facing up to open meetings"
COMMENTS: This article presented a clear complaint against local officials,
supporting each essential element with evidence. The analysis was sound
and the issue important. The reader was educated, informed, and persuaded
by the measured opinions of the editorial writer.
2nd: The Regional News
Richard Parmater
"Review health inspection methods in Orland Park"
3rd: Woodford County Journal
Philip Wright
"Windfall money smells of pork"
HM: The Woodstock Independent
Dennis Mathes
"Variance discussion turns ugly"
GROUP II
1st: The Geneva Republican
Rick Nagel
"Union Pacific has stacked the deck"
COMMENTS: This is an exceptional editorial supported by the investigation
of the issue by the paper's staff. This is not the media acting as the "4th
Estate;" but an example of how the local paper can make visible and
amplify the views of the public. This editorial complicates an issue that
might appear to be "cut-and-dry," but does not, on its face, appear
to exaggerate or misrepresent any aspect of the controversy.
2nd: Park Ridge Herald-Advocate
Greg Canfield
"Politics win again"
3rd: Elmhurst Press
Marni Pyke
"Censorship in disguise"
GROUP III
1st: The News Sun
Charles Selle
"A second chance court decision"
COMMENTS: This editorial brings to the public a moment of judicial decision-making
that is highly personal and sensitive, by supporting a Circuit Court judge's
decision to forego what some might consider a harsher sentence for a 14
year-old boy guilty of an accidental firearm slaying of another teen. This
is a difficult position to take in a community faced with the loss of its
young people. Yet, the editorialist chooses to explore the moment and its
implications at precisely the time when it is most on everyone's mind.
2nd: The Rock Island Argus
Murray Hancks
"Tuition tax credit law is a mistake"
3rd: The Times-Press
James Russell
"Readers speak out on President, Congress"
SMALL SINGLE ADVERTISEMENT
GROUP I
1st: The Woodstock Independent
Brent Maring
"Copy Express"
COMMENTS: Very nicely done ad. Good execution of a great creative idea,
playing off the "blues" theme (the back pocket of Levi's with
the red tag for Copy Express), and tying in with the overall "Summertime
Blues" concept of the page itself.
2nd: The Regional News
Staff
"Robert Kendall Salon and Day Spa"
3rd: The Woodstock Independent
Anne Swartzbaugh
"The Backdrop"
HM: The Woodstock Independent
Brent Maring and Donna-Marie Gazdziak
"Knuth's Sport Outfitters"
GROUP II
1st: The Geneva Republican
Joy Meade and Diane Weiland
"Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop"
COMMENTS: Unusually good use of reserve type (with excellent reproduction,
too!). Good headline. The smoke from the cigar, its color, and the cigar
itself on the stand really make this execution stand out on a page with
lots of other small 4/C ads.
2nd: The St. Charles Republican
Kelley Meyer
"Proud Fox Gallery"
3rd: The Geneva Republican
Marianne Kowalczyk
"The Book Rack"
HM: The MidWeek
Penny Bunnell and Abby Tanner
"Chuck's Auto Center"
GROUP III
1st: The Daily Journal
Maria A. Spargur and Judith Didriksen
"Tholens' Florist"
COMMENTS: Good creative concept, since all little girls dream of being
brides. Nice execution, with the throwing in the air of the bridal bouquet.
The white over the brown wood makes the ad stand out.
2nd: The Rock Island Argus
Julia Druckmiller
"Cork & Brie"
3rd: The Rock Island Argus
Kathy Hocutt and Doug Teggatz
"Killir's Snowboard Shop"
HM: Kane County Chronicle
Staff
"American Heritage Furniture, Inc."
LARGE SINGLE ADVERTISEMENT
1st: The Woodstock Independent
Brent Maring
"We must be crackin' up"
COMMENTS: Great use of color and space. Headline and the artwork are
great together. This is a nicely-reproduced, clean ad that works and communicates
well.
2nd: The Doings
Melanie Feldges
"Adams and Myers Realtors"
3rd: The Doings
Jim Slonoff
"To make a community newspaper you need...The Doings"
HM: The Woodstock Independent
Brent Maring
"Got the blues but you haven't got the clues why?"
GROUP II
1st: The St. Charles Republican
Staff
"St. Charles has it all"
COMMENTS: Nice idea, cleanly executed and eye-catching. Definitely a
good way to help smaller clients look bigger, and promote local business,
also. It does blur the line between editorial and advertising, however.
2nd: The Geneva Republican
Jackie Sacrey and Diane Weiland
"Strawflower Shop and The Rug Merchant"
3rd: The St. Charles Republican
Jackie Sacrey and Diane Weiland
"Persimmon Tree"
HM: The Geneva Republican
Kelley Meyer
"Geneva Home Works"
HM: The Observer
Sharon Boehlefeld
"Don't lose your way this summer...The Observer"
GROUP III
1st: The Rock Island Argus
Kathy Hocutt and Dale Attwood
"John Deere store"
COMMENTS: Once again, a beautifully designed, structured, and executed
advertising concept. Makes me want to go visit!
2nd: The Daily Journal
Maria A. Spargur and Judith Didriksen
"Volkmanns Jewelers"
3rd: The Daily Journal
Maria A. Spargur and Judith Didriksen
"Riverside Health and Fitness Center"
HM: The Rock Island Argus
Chris Greene and Lori Mc Manus
"The Sedona Group"
ADVERTISING SPECIAL SECTION
GROUP I
1st: Paula St. Louis and Staff
The Doings
2nd: Kip Cheek
Mendota Reporter
3rd: Staff
The Woodstock Independent
HM: Mike Crase and Kim Kubiak
Hampshire Register News
GROUP II
1st: Staff
Glenview Announcements
2nd: Staff
Arlington Heights Post
3rd: Staff
The Ledger-Sentinel
HM: Staff
The Sycamore News
HM: Staff
The Geneva Republican
GROUP III
1st: Staff
The Times-Press
2nd: Staff
The Rock Island Argus
3rd: Staff
The Daily Times
HM: Staff
Kane County Chronicle
PUBLIC SERVICE
GROUP I
1st: Rita DuChateau
The Doings
Advisory referendum coverage
COMMENTS: In a four-part series of in-depth analyses, the Doings significantly
illuminated the referendum issue to decide between grade level centers and
middle schools in the Hinsdale Elementary School District. Presenting a
broad array of professional and public opinion, budgetary details, and philosophical
and factual arguments, the series strikingly illustrates the nature and
the importance of the concept "an informed citizenry."
2nd: Kip Cheek and Liz Worman
The Mendota Reporter
History of Mendota High Schools
GROUP II
1st: Jamey Fry and Staff
The Geneva Republican
Tracking the railport
COMMENTS: The tenacity of The Geneva Republican in its six-month series
of stories and editorials about a proposed "railport" in DuPage
County represents the significant potential of the press to inform, motivate
and galvanize public opinion and action. Its persistent efforts to document
the facts, expose the special interests, and argue for a vision of community
good represent a high standard in the journalistic leadership of public
commitment.
2nd: Steve Brosinski and Marvin Pike
The Elmhurst Press
Elmhurst Library proposals
GROUP III
1st: David Beery and Staff
The Daily Herald
Violence in the community
COMMENTS: In an intense and effective series of eight editorials, the
Daily Herald went beyond the reporting of violence and tragedy at Columbine
High School in Colorado to contemplate the problems, the issues, and the
potential of response to violence in our schools. Its editorials at once
reflect an informative energy, a meditative concern, and a depth of social
commitment to the resolution of community problems that dramatize some of
the best ideals of journalistic leadership.
2nd: Sarah Larson, Terry Herbig, Lyn Guilliland and Roger Ruthhart
The Rock Island Argus
To Russia with Love
3rd: Ann Aubry
The Daily Times
Ottawa Town Meetings
SPOT NEWS PHOTO
GROUP I
1ST: Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News
Denise Beebower
"Bomb scare at Hiawatha
COMMENTS: Chosen for tension in composition reflecting situation, good
color reproduction, highly informative cutline.
2nd: Woodford County Journal
Mark Barra
"Accident on U.S. Route 24"
3rd: Oregon Republican Reporter
Ken Safran
"Forreston woman injured in accident"
GROUP II
1st: The Warrenville Press
Mark Busch
"Bus crash injures five"
COMMENTS: Chosen for emotional impact, on the post coverage and print
quality.
2nd: Kendall County Record
Rose Subat
"Bucket Brigades"
3rd: Elmhurst Press
Rena Brady
"Overturned tractor-trailer"
GROUP III
1st: The News Sun
Denny Simmons
"Robbery suspect treated for an injured leg"
COMMENTS: Awarded first place for the in-your-face coverage, great color
and quality of reproduction.
2nd: The Herald News
Liz Wilkinson Allen
"Day-care attack"
3rd: Daily Chronicle
Joey Bishop
"Flame and smoke
GENERAL FEATURE PHOTO
GROUP I
1st: The Woodstock Independent
Dennis Mathes
"Elizabeth and Heidi Dowell watch Erma Winn milk her goat"
COMMENTS: This is a good example of a page in which every photo works
because every photo is taken at exactly the right moment. The winning photo
captures the learning experience of a child watching a goat being milked.
The low-angle shot puts you right there where the action is.
2nd: The Doings
Mike Johnson
"The Rev. Michael Anderson"
3rd: Hampshire Register News
Wayne Ratzlaff
"Ready...aim...fire!"
HM: The Regional News
Richard Dramato
"A great egret searches"
GROUP II
1st: The Geneva Republican
John Cox
"Just picture this"
COMMENTS: This is a visually fascinating photo with its combination of
bird's eye-view approach and the play between light and shadow, indoors
and outdoors.
2nd: Ledger-Sentinel
Joanne Pleskovich
"But will it come out in the wash?"
3rd: The Batavia Republican
Mark Busch
"Snow, snow on the range"
HM: Elmhurst Press
Leslie Adkins
"Crane shot"
GROUP III
1st: The Herald News
Liz Wilkinson Allen
"Groovin'"
COMMENTS: The photo gets its power from capturing the mood of summer
so well. Liz Wilkinson Allen pressed the shutter just as the hips of the
teenagers touched. That makes us almost hear the beat of the music. The
backlighting also enhances the photo.
2nd: The Rock Island Argus
Terry Herbig
"As long as you're hanging around..."
3rd: The News Sun
Denny Simmons
"Senior Prom"
SPORTS PHOTO
GROUP I
1st: Scott Hardesty
The Doings
"Can't bear to look"
COMMENTS: A true the-picture-tells-it-all example. Little boy can bear
to look as a baseball popup approaches his glove. Great picture.
2nd: Scott Hardesty
The Doings
"Close call"
3rd: Wayne Ratzlaff
Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News
"Genoa Resident Brian Eckerson..."
HM: Dennis Mathes
The Woodstock Independent
"St. Mary's Theresia Dschida knowkc an opponent off her feet..."
HM: Kelli A. Long
Oregon Republican-Reporter
"Out of bounds"
HM: Colleen Weber
The Regional News
"St. Laurence head coach Sean Mele has some words..."
GROUP II
1st: Mark Busch
West Chicago Press
"West Chicago catcher Don O'Hara lays the tag..."
COMMENTS: A `tag at the plate' baseball photo is really dramatic and
lends great support to a lead story. The stop-action pic is sharp, colorful
and finely-cropped.
2nd: John Cox
The Geneva Republican
"Batavia guard Ed Green drives the baseline..."
3rd: John Cox
The Geneva Republican
"Mike Rothecker of Geneva goes airborne..."
HM: Mark Busch
Warrenville Press
"Tigers' tight end Jerome Collins hauls in a catch..."
HM: Mark Busch
St. Charles Republican
"Icing down last of Saints' 6-pack"
HM: Frank Williams, Jr.
Elmhurst Press
"Nazareth senior center Matt Hammer is consoled..."
GROUP III
1st: Thomas Delany, Jr.
The News-Sun
"Members of Lake Forest high's volleyball team..."
COMMENTS: This photo of a girls' state volleyball tournament appearance
depicts not action-on-the-court, but action (and reaction) on-the-bench.
The photographer managed to catch this at precisely the right time, and
its treatment helps to make the entire story a delight for the readers.
Well-done!
2nd: Michael Schmidt
The News-Sun
"Waukegan Legion catcher Neal Rushforth..."
3rd: Michael Schmidt
The News-Sun
"Deerfield goalie Jim Rosenfeld puts it all on the line..."
HM: Denny Simmons
The News-Sun
"Rob Calloway finished off Mike Pearman..."
HM: Carl Lyda
Kane County Chronicle
"Geneva's Courtney O'Reilly finds the back of the net..."
HM: Bill Jurevich
The Daily Journal
"Olivet Nazarene University receiver Ardell Buchanan..."
PHOTO SERIES
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Scott Hardesty
"Mind, body combine in dance to the gods"
COMMENTS: Good combination of shots that move you from a group shot,
to a two-person shot, to a closeup of the feet -- this photo is especially
effective.
2nd: Hampshire Register News
Denise Beebower, Wayne Ratzlaff and Marilyn Becker
"The year 1998 in Illinois"
3rd: Hampshire Register News
Marilyn Becker and Wayne Ratzlaff
"Blizzard of '99"
HM: The Woodstock Independent
Dennis Mathes
"Day of the Dolphins"
GROUP II
1st: Sycamore News
Mike Ficocelle and Wayne Ratzlaff
"1998 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival"
COMMENTS: Photos combine longshots and closeups to describe the Festival
well. The photographer planted him/herself in front of the slide and got
a good head-on shot.
2nd: The Geneva Republican
Mark Busch, John Cox and Pierre Burnaugh
"Year in pictures"
3rd: Bureau County Republican
Lisa Anderson
"Fireworks, fun spark Walnut Celebration"
HM: Ledger-Sentinel
Joanne Pleskovich
"Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss"
GROUP III
1st: The Herald News
Scott Strazzante
"A life and death sentence"
COMMENTS: This is an example of documentary photography at its best.
Scott Strazzante documents AIDS behind bars with unflinching honesty in
closeups that make you flinch, but help you understand the story. He makes
you see the bedsores and invites you too meet the people whose generosity
of spirit moves you. Excellent
2nd: The New Sun
Denny Simmons
"Mind game"
3rd: The News Sun
Thomas Delaney, Jr.
"History makers"
HM: Kane County Chronicle
Bob Gerrard
"Flying fortress"
SPORTS STORY
GROUP I
1st: The Regional News
Beth Kink
"On the B-squad field of dreams"
COMMENTS: Offbeat story about the atmosphere surrounding a freshman B-squad
high school football team. The writer does a great job of looking beyond
the obvious and bringing alive a team that few readers otherwise would know
exists.
2nd: The Doings
Jeff Davis
"Once united, now divided"
3rd: The Doings
Polly Stanoch Rix
"Taking a shot at high school athletics"
HM: The Mendota Reporter
Kip Cheek
"Pro Bowls, MVP awards can't replace the Super Bowl ring that eluded
Brown, Vikes"
GROUP II
1st: The West Chicago Press
Jason Block
"Is the DVC for me?"
COMMENTS: Nice analytical piece on whether small school West Chicago
belongs in a conference where it has trouble competing. Good mix of anecdotes
and statistics to make this an educational read.
2nd: Bureau County Republican
Charlie Ellerbrock
"In a league of her own; 10-year-old girl one of the guys in Spring
Valley Little League"
3rd: The Geneva Republican
Michael Gibbs
"Winning the battle: Geneva basketball player overcomes anorexia nervosa"
HM: The West Chicago Press
Jason Block
"Wrong-way shot heard 'round WeGo"
GROUP III
1st: The News Sun
Jim Young
"Newton's Law: Never give up"
COMMENTS: Moving story about a junior-high athlete born with only one
hand and her triumph over adversity. Very effective lead makes the reader
part of the story.
2nd: The Rock Island Argus
Mike Egenes
"You've gotta pay to play"
3rd: Kane County Chronicle
Todd McMahon
"A clean-cut Southern boy"
HM: Daily Herald
Patricia Babcock
"Fairy tale in a tailspin? Turmoil hits Illinois program"
HM: Daily Chronicle
Vaughn McClure
"Wanted"
HM: The Daily Journal
Tim Yonke and Mary Johnson
"Nearly perfect: The Kays of 1953, March Madness revisited"
SPORTS COLUMN
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Joe Goddard
"Here's a vote for Central's prized code"
COMMENTS: A no-holds barred look at high-school hazing and the mind-set
that keeps it alive. The columnist draws on his own experience in standing
up for the underdogs.
2nd: The Doings
Joe Goddard
"Zolo made decision to turn his life around"
3rd: Woodford County Journal
J.W. Shults
"True heroes"
HM: The Regional News
Ken Karrson
"Prep events bring out the kid in some of us"
GROUP II
1st: The Geneva Republican
Tom Parisi
"Music Maestro: 'Cubs lose! Cubs lose!'"
COMMENTS: A perfect illustration of how no real fan can love both the
Cubs and the White Sox. Funny and unpredictable.
2nd: The Geneva Republican
John Cox
"Only his shadow knows"
3rd: Elmhurst Press
Craig Brueske
"Mat rule change irks some"
HM: Bureau County Republican
Kevin Hieronymus
"Once a wrestler, always a wrestler"
GROUP III
1st: The Rock Island Argus
Bill Allee
"Photo proves Molina beating was no `miscellaneous/accident'"
COMMENTS: Good analytical piece on the much-publicized college baseball
incident. Playing off a telltale photo, Allee builds a case that the beating
of a Moline native was no accident.
2nd: Daily Chronicle
Vaughn McClure
"Kaneland star Fleck leaves lasting mark"
3rd: The Rock Island Argus
Marc Nesseler
"Deaf fan's loyalty speaks volumes"
SPORTS SECTION
GROUP I
1st: Jeff Davis
The Doings
COMMENTS: Exciting layout, bolstered by dramatic use of pictures, makes
this an easy-to-read section. The tab's first sports page is so inviting
it begs the reader to continue on.
2nd: Ken Karrson
The Regional News
3rd: Larry Andersen and Dean Curtis
Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News
HM: Jeff Wiseman
Woodford County Journal
HM: Kip Cheek
Mendota Reporter
HM: Dennis Mathes
The Woodstock Independent
GROUP II
1st: Alan Macey
The Star
COMMENTS: This newspaper gives prominent play to its first page, with
dramatic use of color, to entice its readers. Visually, very attractive.
2nd: Mike Gibbs
The Geneva Republican
3rd: Kevin Hieronymus
Bureau County Republican
HM: Joe Henricksen
The Ledger-Sentinel
HM: Mike Holbrook
Oak Leaves
HM: Larry Andersen and Dean Curtis
Sycamore News
GROUP III
1st: Jim Silvestri, Todd McMahon, Brian Shields, and Kurt Steidl
Kane County Chronicle
COMMENTS: The prominence put on local sports separated this from other
top-notch entries. Effective use of color and interesting graphics makes
this a user-friendly and attractive section.
2nd: Marc Nesseler
Rock Island Argus
3rd: Glory Klasey
The Daily Journal
HM: Brent Robinson and Mike Dorsam
The Times-Press
HM: Ben Holtam, Jeff Glade, and Dave Wischnowsky
The Daily Times
SPOT NEWS STORY
GROUP I
1st: Mike Capito
The Regional News
"Brief freedom: Dixmoor man released from prison confesses to Hoekstra
murder"
COMMENTS: Lots of details help to make this a compelling story.
2nd: J.W. Shults
Woodford County Journal
"Local deer herd affected by disease"
3rd: Eileen Millard and Dennis Mathes
The Woodstock Independent
"D-200 chief, attorney acquitted in forgery"
GROUP II
1st: Bob Seidenberg
Evanston Review
"Family hopes for home without wheels"
COMMENTS: Well-written, well-researched article about a problem in our
society people in need of one of the basics of life"
2nd: Sara Paulson
Elmhurst Press
"Justice has been served"
3rd: Jamey Fry, Rick Nagel and Mark Gregory
The Geneva Republican
"It's over!"
HM: Karri E. Christiansen and David Fornell
The Batavia Republican
"When violence erupts in a small town: what happened?"
GROUP III
1st: Bill Byrns, Tracy Ahrens, Phil Angelo, Lee Provost, Rochelle Simpson,
Cora Weisenberger, Mike Lyons and Scott Boehmer
The Daily Journal
"12 die in train wreck"
COMMENTS: A graphic lead followed by a short death-toll paragraph pulls
the reader into this big story.
2nd: Nick Reiher, LaTrina Blair-Birden, Stewart Warren, Victoria Pierce
and Charles B. Pelkie
The Herald News
"Terror on the rails"
3rd: Nick Reiher
The Herald News
"An exhausting test"
HM: Rebecca Bogler
The Times-Press
May crowning miracle"
IN-DEPTH NEWS STORY
GROUP I
1st: Paula St. Louis and Mary Odwazny
The Doings
"Two fine days"
COMMENTS: This story, about two candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives
who took to the campaign trail, were funny, clear and helped readers see
the human cost of seeking office. These two reporters decided to tell a
story and the minute details made the tales sign.
2nd: Richard Parmater
The Regional News
"The naked and the dead and the police"
3rd: Christine Pudlewski Embry
The Regional News
"Childhood inoculations: Who decides"
GROUP II
1st: Karri E. Christiansen
The Geneva Republican
Is railroad decision tied up with Franzen's purse strings?"
COMMENTS: Christiansen did some old-fashioned digging into campaign finance
records. This is what in-depth news stories are all about -- taking the
time to make all the connections between campaign contributions and important
decisions that affect the local economy. This reporter's work is careful
and well-organized.
2nd: Jamey Fry
The Geneva Republican
"Teen sex"
3rd: Charlotte Cooper
River Forest-Forest Leaves
"Academy Rewards"
GROUP III
1st: Ralph Zahorik
The News Sun
"Ailing ER's"
COMMENTS: Zahorik decided to tell the real life story of ER's and came
away with a solid bit of news that is informative and clear-headed. Hollywood
would not like the decidedly unsexy way that walk-in patients routinely
use ER rooms for non-emergencies - such as lancing boils.
2nd: Myke Feinman
The Times-Press
"Pavement parts the prairie"
3rd: Tom Schlueter
Kane County Chronicle
"Kane has second highest rate in Illinois"
NEWS STORY SERIES
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Staff
"Decision '98"
COMMENTS: Not only provided information on the candidates but what it
was like to be a candidate and to be an elected official. Excellent photos
accompanied stories.
2nd: The Regional News
Christen Pudlewskik Embry
"School impact fees"
3rd: Oregon Republican Reporter
Kelli A. Long and Vinde Wells
"Texas teacher accused of sexually abusing a child"
GROUP II
1st: The Geneva Republican
Staff
"Tracking the railport"
COMMENTS: Six months of hard news, background info, and an on-going opinion
poll on an important local story. Use of a logo made stories easy to find
and connect.
2nd: Libertyville News
Lee Filas and Brendan O'Neill
"Picking up the pieces: Fallout of the NWS"
3rd: Bureau County Republican
Tom Martin, Lori Hamer, Terri Simon, Donna Barker
"Sheriff responds to allegations"
GROUP III
1st: The Rock Island Argus
Sarah Larson, Terry Herbig, Lyn Gillilano and Roger Ruthhart
"To Russia with love"
COMMENTS: A rarity--a series on international topic. Ambitious project
done in cooperation with local TV and with integral use of web site. Excellent
story and photos mix
2nd: The New Sun
Ralph Zahorik
"Hidden Camera"
3rd: The Rock Island Argus
Pam Berenger
"The Guanajuato connection"
HM: The Daily Times
Robyn Frendling
"Ottawa Grade School probe"
BUSINESS/FINANCIAL/CONSUMER
GROUP I
1st: Cheryl Wolfe
Woodford County Journal
"Corn project a popping success"
COMMENTS: Very well written. Told the story in a meaningful way that
would inspire others to try new ventures.
2nd: Susan Carlman
The Doings
"Indelible impressions: Fashion statements that keep on talking"
3rd: Mike Capito
The Regional News
Revving the warehouse of shiny dreams"
GROUP II
1st: Timothy Bryers
Elmhurst Press
"Our girls go nude: Flounting authority"
COMMENTS: Very good use of language. Well-researched look at the massage
industry, both legal and illegal. Good use of sources. Interviewed all sides
involved and presented material in an interesting way.
2nd: Roger Matile
The Ledger-Sentinel
"Homeowners' tax bite down"
3rd: Randy Liss
The Geneva Republican
"Too many digits"
GROUP III
1st: Kevin Craver and Ann Aubry
The Times Press
"Streator fits payday loan profile"
COMMENTS: Very current topic. This story won because it thoroughly researched
the idea of payday advances and broke it down into important categories
such as state regulations, how they work, and the number of loans made.
The writing was clear and topics covered were interesting.
2nd: Bob Okon
The Herald News
"Stretching the paycheck"
3rd: Roy Bernard
The Daily Journal
"Past, present and future: Japanese have Maglev technology but no money
to get trains rolling"
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
GROUP I
1st: The Regional News
Beth Kink
"It's mayapple time, and imaginations flower"
COMMENTS: A new appreciation for the lowly mayapple and what we find
under the leaves.
2nd: The Regional News
Linda Aguilar
"A beginner's guide to the Internet"
3rd: The Regional News
Beth Kink
"First ospreys return after 150 years"
GROUP II
1st: Elmhurst Press
Warren Moulds
"Seeds of hope"
COMMENTS: Local development and perseverance produces a successful approach
and national recognition for the treatment of prostatic cancer.
2nd: Elmhurst Press
Sue Montgomery and Patricia Conway
"TREEmendous"
3rd: Kendall County Record
Paul Rock
"Learning on-line"
GROUP III
1st: The Times-Press
Jody Bourne
"Streator at the heart of earth's best soil"
COMMENTS: An in-depth look at soil and how northern Illinois relies on,
and is blessed by, an often overlooked natural resource.
2nd: The News Sun
Art Peterson
"Wild, wild wetlands"
3rd: Kane County Chronicle
Brenda Schory
"Mark's heart"
INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC
GROUP I
1st: The Doings
Jim Slonoff
"Unofficial election results"
COMMENTS: This design combines the visual and text in a way that readers
can get a quick glance at the facts. The visual design is not complex but
effective.
2nd: The Doings
Jim Slonoff
"Decision '99"
GROUP II
1st: The Batavia Republican
Jason McGregor
"From the ground up"
COMMENTS: This is a concise and clear picture of the future building.
Text and graphics are organically mixed. The design shows the principle
of simplicity and unity being applied.
2nd: The Geneva Republican
Jordan Dzuira
"Stop, look, and wait"
3rd: Elmhurst Press
Charlene Freislinger
"Knee-ding attention"
GROUP III
1st: Daily Herald
Tim Lapetino
"Up, up and away!"
COMMENTS: Wonderful color, design, and the use of 3-D. The information
about steering a balloon is well-visualized to be easily understood.
2nd: Daily Herald
Charlos Gary, Tim Lapetino, and Tim Broderick
"Inside the DuPage River"
3rd: The News Sun
Jamie Hollar
"The life of a wetland"
HM: Daily Herald
Charlos Gary, Tim Lapetino, and Tim Broderick
"Opening Day"
EDITORIAL PAGE DESIGN
GROUP I
1st: The Regional News
Richard Parmater and Jackie Santora
COMMENTS: The editorial design has excellent use of cartoons. The width
varies but keeps consistent over days. Good choice of typefaces.
2nd: Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News
Kim Kubiak
3rd: The Doings
Jim Slonoff
GROUP II
1st: The Geneva Republican
Rick Nagel
COMMENTS: The editorial pages on this newspaper use exceptionally abundant
visuals to save readers' time and also make reading editorial pages an interesting
experience. Good use of typefaces to create variety and center of visual
interest.
2nd: Grayslake Times
Neal Tucker and Bob Wolf
3rd: Elmhurst Press
Don Hammontree and Marni Pyke
GROUP III
1st: The Daily Times
Lonny Cain and Paul Carpenter
COMMENTS: These designs start with an elegant nameplate. The cartoons
work well in attracting the reader's interest.
2nd: The Times-Press
James Russell
3rd: The News Sun
Charles Sele
SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS
(for overall excellence in circulation groups I, II, III)
Group I (Don R. Grubb Trophy)
The Doings
Group II (C.V. Amenoff Trophy)
The Geneva Republican
Group III (James Copley Trophy)
The News Sun
TOM REAY AWARD
Sponsored by Rockford Register Star for the best single in-depth news story in circ. group III.
1999 winner: Ralph Zahorik, The News Sun, "Ailing ER's."
W.E. WILLIAMS AWARD
Sponsored by Star Newspapers for the best single in-depth news story in circ. group II.
1999 winner: Karri Christiansen, The Geneva Republican, "Is railport decision tied up with Franzen's purse strings?"
GENERAL EXCELLENCE IN COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS CONTEST
1st: The Northern Star, Northern Illinois University
2nd: The Chronicle, Columbia College
3rd: Malcolm X-Press, Malcolm X College
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