NINA 2004 AWARD WINNERS

Announced Oct. 22, 2004, at NIU

[ Individual Awards ] ... [ Sweepstakes and Special Awards ]

Judges' comments are included for each first-place award

Design

Group I

3rd: Elburn Herald

2nd: The Woodstock Independent

1st: Woodford County Journal
The level of interest generated by photos and stories on the front pages was sustained throughout the paper.

Group II

3rd: Galena Gazette

2nd: Bureau County Republican

1st: The Doings
Tabloid scale was used to good effect; photography was excellent.

Group III

3rd: Kane County Chronicle

2nd: Northwest Herald

1st: The Beacon News
Fresh, clean, modern...add to that useful graphics and great photos.

HEADLINE

Group I

3rd: Laura McFall, The Weekly Observer, "Fitness is a four-legged stool"

2nd: James A. McFall, The Weekly Observer, "Custom cowhide has Rochelle all sewn up"

1st: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Unhappy campers complain"
Most of the time "cute" headlines indicate a desperate copy editor trying to make a poor attempt at lame humor. But in this case a story about complaints against the Yogi Bear Campgrounds couldn't have been summed up any better.

Group II

3rd: Pamela Lannom, The Doings, "Da real dizzle (fo shizzle)."

2nd: Marc Jenkins, Lakeland Newspapers, "Mister six appeal"

1st: Brenda Balin-Beitscher, Lindenhurst News, "Altar ego"
This headline is cute - but not too corny. And it fits the subject well.

Group III

3rd: Brian Nelson, The Dispatch, "One last chorus of 'Hail to the Chief'"

2nd: Rick Nagel, The Beacon News, "Pssst. Want to see Steve Martin's underpants?"

1st: Jim King, The Beacon News, "Between un roca and a hard place"
This was a funny but sadly true sign of our times. A $7 million house was about to be bought by the state government and voices of protest were being ignored.

GENERAL FEATURE

Group I

3rd: Caryl Dierksen, The Woodstock Independent, "Lois Anderson seeks to answer, 'What's aphasia'?"

2nd: Jessie Johnson, The Mendota Reporter, "Mendota family struggling with sadness"

1st: Eieen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Woodstock's breakfast club"

From the corny jokes to the decaf coffee, Eileen Millard serves up a terrific slice of life.

Group II

3rd: Victoria Scott, Evanston RoundTable LLC, "An award-winning teacher helps his kindergarteners to cook"

2nd: Jennifer Cassell, The Doings, "Mixed feelings, Biracial families prove race doesn't matter"

1st: Karen Chadra, The Doings, "Bumblebees aren't supposed to fly"
Great job reporting and writing. In the little details, Karen Chadra captures the spirit of the Wellness House.

Group III

HM: Marie-Ann Hogarth, The Beacon News, "Connor"

HM: Tim Ahrens, The Daily Journal, "Couple knows no boundaries when it comes to adoption"

3rd: Mick Zawislak, The Daily Herald, "Return to Normandy"

2nd: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "Fatal friendship"

1st: Marie-Ann Hogarth, The Beacon News, "Pushing to the edge"
A stunning story that is painful, poignant, and heroic. Terrific reporting and writing.

PERSONALITY FEATURE

Group I

3rd: Rich Rostron, The Woodstock Independent, "Consummate salesman"

2nd: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "Drawn to the Pacific"

1st: Laura McFall, The Weekly Observer, "Battling the cancer dragon"
The author takes a low-key approach, constructing a profile that lets the subject speak for herself. She gleans insightful, personal comments and lets them do the storytelling.

Group II

HM: Jenny Thomas, The Doings, "Batting 1,000"

HM: Barb Kromphardt, Bureau County Republican, "Where laughter is the best medicine"

3rd: Victoria Scott, Evanston RoundTable LLLC, "Local photographer travels Lewis and Clark trail for upcoming book"

2nd: Paul Storer, Catholic Explorer, "Musical Nun"

1st: Liz DeCarlo, The Doings, "Bus driver brightens students' day"
The reader gets a real sense of the subject in a very brief amount of space. Structurally, the story has a descriptive opening paragraph with a theme that continues through the body and then is nicely wrapped up in the final paragraph. There's a simple but heart-warming anecdote about a young girl that captures the subject beautifully. The cancer angle isn't overwrought.

Group III

HM: Charles Stanley, The Daily Times, "Grand Ridge's grandest"

HM: Robyn Singleton Monaghan, The Daily Journal, "The tomboy who fights terror"

3rd: Kristen Schmidt, Northwest Herald, "Healing hands"

2nd: Matt Hanley, Northwest Herald, "Ramblin' along"

1st: Dave Wischnowsky, The Daily Times, "The long and winding road"
This story unfolds like a good yarn. It captures the challenges - both large and especially small - that the subject encounters. Good use of anecdotes and quotes makes the reader feel he or she has sat down and chatted with the walking pilgrim.

FEATURE SECTION
Group I

3rd: Elburn Herald

2nd: The Woodstock Independent

1st: Woodford County Journal
The section did a good job of living up to its subtitle: a guide to good living and great times. Stories were interesting even to a reader from outside the community. Nice range of topics.

Group II

3rd: The Doings

2nd: Lakeland Newspapers

1st: Ledger-Sentinel
This is an ambitious section. A wide variety of personality stories, columns and events.

Group III

3rd: The Beacon News

2nd: Northwest Herald

1st: Kane County Chronicle
I liked the variety, the graphics, and the opportunities for local writers.

COLUMN

Group I

3rd: John Daab, The Woodstock Independent, "Another one bytes the dust"

2nd: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "A child born to kill"

1st: Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "Good-bye good doctor"
The pain caused by the death of a small-town doctor is explained clearly and simply here in a way that avoids melodrama but clearly makes a strong and lasting impact.

Group II

3rd: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "A chance to give back to a Deputy who cared"

2nd: Jason Maholy, The Reporter, "Let freedom ring"

1st: Josh Albrecht, The Midweek, "A raucous caucus followed by a blah State of the Union"
The author took a strong stand and explained his position clearly. A good sense of humor was evident throughout and that helped keep the piece from becoming a lecture.

Group III

3rd: Todd Welvaert, The Dispatch, "Writing helps..."

2nd: Sean Leary, The Dispatch, "Here's hoping Limbaugh swallows bitter pill"

1st: Dick Peterson, Northwest Herald, "When life turns dark, seek help to hold on"
It took courage to write this column. The columnist wrote about his willingness to confront his own demons and to seek help. This kind of honesty is quite rare and inspiring.

EDITORIAL

Group I

HM: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Us vs. Them"

HM: Ryan Wells, Elburn Herald, "Yearbook page places focus on teenage sexuality"

3rd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Mum's the word"

2nd: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Every voter counts"

1st: Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "Pass the cheesy potatoes, please"
The Woodford County Journal followed all of the methods to involve the public in ridiculing the county health department for closing down a senior potluck for bringing food from home.

Group II

HM: Kathy Farren, Kendall County Record, "New design could help water billing problem"

HM: Julie Murphy, Antioch News, "Quit playing, take responsibility"

3rd: Terri Simon, Bureau County Republican, "In the blink of an eye"

2nd: Elizabeth Richards, The Doings, "Sergeant-at-arms a bad tactical move"

1st: Jason Maholy, The Reporter, "Got a better idea?"
The Reporter took the issue of a local utility tax on natural gas, states the paper's support, its reasons, the arguments, and basically said, "there, we have a good tax"

Group III

HM: Chris Cashman, The News Sun, "War hits home"

HM: Dick Peterson, Northwest Herald, "A mother's cry is heard"

3rd: Greg Rivara, Kane County Chronicle, "Discovery of more mold at STC East rouses inquiry

2nd: Kendra Burrows, The Dispatch, "Questions beg for answers"

1st: John Kelleher and Chris Doyle, Daily Chronicle, "Public has right to know details of mayor's stop"
The Daily Chronicle forcefully requested the police radio tapes when an officer saw DeKalb's mayor weaving between lines.

ADVERTISING SPECIAL SECTION

Group I

HM: Leslie Flint, Elburn Herald, "Summer Guide 2004"

HM: Cheryl Wormley, The Woodstock Independent, "Dog Days"

3rd: Jack Murray, Marilyn Shaw, and Pete LeFevre, The Regional News, "Palos Heights Anniversaries"

2nd: Staff, The Amboy News, "Souvenir Edition - The Amboy Sesquicentennial 1854-2004"

1st: Staff, The Woodford County Journal, "Success Stories"
The Woodford County Journal produced an extremely clean, modern layout for its special section on local success stories.

Group II

HM: Staff, Catholic Explorer, "Bishop Kaffer"

HM: Kari Nelson, Amy Richards, Jason Maholy, Ashok Selvan, and Mark Szakonyi, The Reporter, "Day in the Park Special Section"

3rd: Staff, The MidWeek, "Pumpkin Festival Guide"

2nd: Staff, Lakeland Newspapers, "For Love of Country"

1st: Staff, The Observer, "Celebrating 10 Years - Bishop Thomas G. Doran"
The Observer of the Rockford Diocese pulled together a 48-page special section on the 10th anniversary of the bishop's tenure.

Group III

HM: Susan King, Kane County Chronicle, "Flair"

HM: Staff, The News Sun, "Salute to the Navy"

3rd: Staff, The Dispatch, "The Greatest Show on Turf"

2nd: Jim King, The Beacon News, "The Great Fox Valley Trivia Quiz"

1st: Staff, The Daily Times, "Unsung Heroes"
The Daily Times produced 112 pages in seven sections to tell meaningful stories of the unsung heroes of the Ottawa community.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Group I

2nd: Elena Ferrarin and Jack Murphy, The Regional News, "Heights library fund-raising campaign"

1st: Staff, The Woodstock Independent, "Peasley archives"
The newspaper campaigns for the preservation of a local photographer's body of work. The stories include an editorial, a nice profile of the photographer and a fascinating two-page spread of his significant and everyday subjects. The series builds a strong case for the importance of the collection as a chronicle of county history.

Group II

2nd: Mary Gavin, Evanston RoundTable LLC, "Redistricting map"

1st: Staff, The Doings, "Partners for a cause"
This entry is notable for the dedicated year-long effort to promote its subject, the services offered by The Community House. The series was introduced in an editorial and monthly segments include a common logo. Each story contributes to the whole, yet also as a stand-alone piece.

Group III

3rd: Colt Foutz, The Naperville Sun, "The driver's seat - DUI"

2nd: Dave Parro, Steve Lord, Mary Ellen Moore and Ed Fanselow, "The Beacon News, "Boil order"

1st: Jon Krenek, The Daily Journal, "Nowhere to hide: Supervising sex offenders in Kankakee County"
The series confirmed the alarming reality that sex offenders live in our communities, whether we want them to or not. There was a focus on treatment for offenders, a story angle that is often overlooked. The series was at least partially responsible for prodding the county to hire additional manpower to enforce legislation and probation and pressuring a sex offender to move away from a nearby school.

SPORTS NEWS STORY

Group I

3rd: Andy Tavegia, Elburn Herald, "Looking for a change in scenery"

2nd: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "Making another move forward"

1st: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "Third one's no longer the charm"
This is an excellent examination of the demise of the three-sport athlete. It explores not only the pressures that are leading to that decline, but also the mind set of those young athletes who choose to buck the trend.

Group II

3rd: Jeff Davis, The Doings, "Castillo family thrives on competition"

2nd: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "From the brink of death"

1st: Bill Stone, The Doings, "March memories"
Every March, sports writers across America scramble to find a unique way of covering the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. This author actually found one. His effort puts a decidedly local face on a national phenomenon, weaving together a memorable collection of anecdotes from those who have been to The Big Dance.

Group III

HM: Tim Wagner, The Beacon News, "Instant classic"

3rd: Brad Nolan, The Naperville Sun, "Passion play"

2nd: Brad Engel, The Naperville Sun, "All so real"

1st: John Zaremba, The Beacon News, "A league of their own"
For starters, this is a great example of recognizing a story where others may not have looked. It also delves into territory littered with opportunities to lapse into cliche, and the author never once succumbs. The judge noted that this story did not appear in the sports section, but the piece did such a fine job of getting at the essence of the sport that it could not be ignored.

SPORTS COLUMN

Group I

3rd Andy Tavegia, Elburn Herald, "A letter plea for D-1A equality"

2nd: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "Not just child's play"

1st: Andy Tavegia, Elburn Herald, "Rea's shining on KHS basketball"
Intelligent commentary on a coach who teaches his players to win with class.

Group II

3rd: Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican, "Bureau County Meet must be run, not just run into the ground"

2nd: Kristin Rojek, Ledger-Sentinel, "Only some of the best qualify for state meet"

1st: Joe Goddard, The Doings, "Perkowski brothers have twin goal for Red Devils"
Fun, anecdote-laden column.

Group III

HM: Tim Wagner, The Beacon News, "Oddly enough, it works"

3rd: Jeff Hawkins, Northwest Herald, "He wins, but cost too high"

2nd: Brad Engel, The Naperville Sun, "Donovan's act short on superstar qualities"

1st: Dan Weiderer, The Naperville Sun, "There is crying in baseball"
A great piece of writing in an outstanding field. It puts readers in the Wrigley Field stands for the sights, sounds and emotional car wreck of Game 6. And it still hurts.

SPORTS SECTION

Group I

3rd: Elburn Herald

2nd: Woodford County Journal

1st: Bureau County Republican
Impressive all around. Clean, balanced layout, good photography and excellent coverage, whether it's soccer, track, basketball, baseball or church league softball. I'd also venture a guess that no one else has a columnist named Hieronymous.

Group II

3rd: Ledger-Sentinel

2nd: The Galena Gazette

1st: The Doings
The Doings succeeds in impressing this judge on many levels. The content doesn't fight with wire service fillers for attention. Its coverage of local sports teams and individual athletes is extremely broad, comprehensive. The features are fresh and intriguing, well written and developed. This is truly an original sports section. The layout is clean and inviting. Outstanding work!

Group III

3rd: The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus

2nd: The Naperville Sun

1st: Northwest Herald
Something for everyone here. Readers get the professional sports coverage they may want and need, but this is a sports section that showcases in local athletes and teams. The coverage is extensive and the writers manage to find a compelling story to tell in each article. What a refreshing change from the often dry game summary approach! Extremely attractive layout and very nice photography.

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Group I

3rd: C. Petersen, The Woodstock Independent, "They're O.K."

2nd: Christian Arrecis, Elburn Herald, "A display of warmth on a cold day"

1st: C. Petersen, The Woodstock Independent, "Fire destroys garage, kitchen in rural Woodstock"
Square format works well with this image. Very nice black and white reproduction quality and content is well-balanced within the frame.

Group II

3rd: Sandy Bressner, Lakeland Newspapers, "The flood of 2004"

2nd: John Dickson, Lakeland Newspapers, "Tire fire"

1st: Lisa Tunney, Bureau County Republican, "Spartan tool ravaged by fire"
Very dramatic image captured with a wide angle viewpoint giving readers the big picture of how devastating this fire actually was. Informative and straight to the point cutline information.

Group III

HM: B. Corbin, The Daily Journal, "Save my friskies"

3rd: Tom Sistak, The Daily Times, "Utica tornado: Picking up the pieces"

2nd: Marina Samovsky, The News Sun, "Sand bag paddler"

1st: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Teenager's death: Several questioned, none charged"
Use of limited depth of field and the low angle used isolates the subject in their time of grief without invading privacy. Excellent color and reproduction quality.

FEATURE PHOTO

Group I

3rd: Christian Arrecis, Elburn Herald, "Not just another day in the park"

2nd: John Tyda, The Woodstock Independent, "Fly by night"

1st: Paul Swetland, The Woodstock Independent, "'Jest' seven shopping days..."
Good proximity to the subjects and good timing used to capture the jester gesturing. Nice vibrant color reproduction quality and very informative cutline information.

Group II

3rd: Sandy Bressner, Lakeland Newspapers, "Mind games"

2nd: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Past and future"

1st: Lisa Tunney, Bureau County Republican, "Farewell to a fire chief"
Well-balanced; the fire engine and the subject's gear frames and reinforces this environmental portrait. The soft lighting creates a quiet moment.

Group III

HM: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Pushing to the edge"

3rd: Donnell Collins, The Beacon News, "Synchronicity squared"

2nd: Donnell Collins, The Beacon News, "Fire aftermath"

1st: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Connor"
Close up and balanced; the camera angle really draws the viewer into the action and interaction with the children in the photo. Priceless expressions.

SPORTS PHOTO

Group I

3rd: Tim Conway, The Woodstock Independent, "Happy in mind"

2nd: John Jacobs, The Woodstock Independent, "Mike Howell goes airborne"

1st: Christian Arrecis, Elburn Herald, "Baseball photo"
This shot works because it caught the player in mid-air at the right moment while still remaining good composition.

Group II

HM: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Flying high"

HM: Ben Draper, Ledger-Sentinel, "Sprinter"

3rd: Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican, Pole vault"

2nd: Steve Johnston, The Doings, "Devils steal win"

1st: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Marable is pumped"
Yes! Great timing was needed to get that expression. Good composition helped.

Group III

HM: Todd Mizener, The Dispatch, "Stretch"

HM: Donnell Collins, The Beacon News, "A league of their own"

HM: Michael Schmidt, The News Sun, "Bobble drop"

HM: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Read and blue pride"

3rd: Ryan Rayburn, The Northwest Herald, "Driven Mycyk wants more"

2nd: Wayne Ratzlaff, Kane County Chronicle, "Over the back"

1st: B. Corbin, The Daily Journal, "Agony of defeat"
The large foreground photo accentuates the player's defeat. His size, posture, coupled with the snow flakes make for a very effective photo.

PHOTO SERIES

Group I

3rd: Staff, The Woodstock Independent, "Dick Tracy Days"

2nd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "St. Mary renovation"

1st: Beth Kink and Mark Szakonyi, The Regional News, "Memorial Day"
Both photographers provided a good selection of photos that covered all activities well. Sharp, well-composed photos that are printed nicely.

Group II

HM: Steve Johnston, The Doings, "Dealing with autism"

HM: Mark Szakonyi, The Reporter, "Revelry on Roberts Road"

HM: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "Images from Lake Depue"

HM: Josh Albrecht, The MidWeek, "Pumpkin freedom"

HM: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "A stable at Fourth and Clay"

3rd: Lisa Tunney, Bureau County Republican, "Tragedy strikes...lives are forever changed"

2nd: Herb Shenkin, The Doings, "Dog-gone good time"

1st: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Extreme Hinsdale"
Good composition that made use of shadows as an element of design.

Group III

HM: Tom Sistak, The Daily Times, "The long and winding road"

HM: Tom Sistak, The Daily Times, "He's my friend"

HM: Larry Lough, Northwest Herald, "Healing hands: The world of revivalist Edgar Baillie"

3rd: Chris Birks, Kane County Chronicle, "A to Z: Alphabet all around us"

2nd: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Connor"

1st: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Pushing to the edge"
Rosenberg's photos tell a great story; the close-up, concise shots bring us so close to the action that we feel as though we're participating in the event.

SPOT NEWS STORY

Group I

3rd: Gwen Allen, Elburn Herald, "Nine arrested in Maple Park gambling raid"

2nd: Tom McPheron, The Regional News, "Arrowhead Lake drowning leaves tragic question"

1st: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Bath fizz goes boom"
The excellent details and unique story requires the reader to remain intrigued throughout the piece.

Group II

3rd: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "More state funds for local schools"

2nd: Nicholas Alajakis, Lakeland Newspapers, "Near-record river levels finally crest in Gurnee, while recovery efforts start"

1st: Donna Barker, Bureau County Republican, "Boy lost in cornfield found safe"
From the beginning it is clear that the boy is safe, yet this article keeps the reader interested.

Group III

3rd: Mike Cetra, The Beacon News, "Former West wrestler shot to death in his car"

2nd: Veronica Gonzales, The Daily Herald, "Kidnapped woman found safe"

1st: Paul Rock and Eric Schelkopf, Kane County Chronicle, "Geneva kindergartner dies after seizure at school"
This is a touching local story, and at the core remains an excellent profile of a little girl.

IN-DEPTH NEWS STORY

Group I

3rd: Jessica Johnson and Bonnie Morris, The Mendota Reporter, "Fair play? Show won't go on as MHS cancels controversial theatre choice"

2nd: Beth Kink, The Regional News, Lyme disease hits Palos Park boy"

1st: Rich Rostron, The Woodstock Independent, "Dedicated employee were Eagle's wings"
The details within this in-depth, local story, makes this an excellent example of a well-written article.

Group II

3rd: Donna Barker, Bureau County Republican, "Earthquake registers 4.5 on Richter scale"

2nd: Jennifer Larsen and Jennifer Cassell, The Doings, "Town officials sound off"

1st: Diane Strand, The MidWeek, "Does bilingual education work in public schools?
This article addresses an important, relevant topic, that many readers would be interested.

Group III

3rd: Renee Messacar, Daily Chronicle, "DeKalb cop charged with DWI gets promoted"

2nd: Kurt Allemeier, The Rock Island Argus, "Apartments of last resort"

1st: Stephen Elliott, The Dispatch, 2 mothers, 2 killers, 2 dead little boys"
Though the murders took place 10 and 12 years prior, this piece is relevant because of the reopening of these cases and the newsworthy details that the reporter makes clear.

NEWS STORY SERIES

Group I

3rd: Eileen Millard and Caryl Dierksen, The Woodstock Independent, "Services for non-English speaking residents"

2nd: Matt Brennan and Andy Tavegia, Elburn Herald, "Letters from Chad"

1st: Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "Off balance"
The series transforms all-too-common school district budgetary shortfalls into human repercussions. Also, the series does a good job explaining the tedious mathematics of school system funding. Best of all, the series weaves together the strategies parents, teachers and community members are enacting to cope with the fiscal crisis.

Group II

3rd: Penny Wiegert, The Observer, "Heart to Heart: Profiles of Peru"

2nd: Barb Kromphardt, Bureau County Republican, "Gay pastor series"

1st: Ann Piasecki, Katherynne Skonicki, Paul Storer, Ami Estrada, Catholic Explorer, "Undocumented residents live in fear and secrecy"
With comprehensive detail woven with evocative images of poverty and lack of access to basic necessities, and mixed with radically conflicting political positions, the Catholic Explorer has produced a first-rate series chronicling the problems that confront undocumented residents.

Group III

HM: Becky Clinard, Dan Churney, Melissa Garzanelli, Mike Murphy, Charles Stanley, Jonathan Bilyk, Tammie Sloup, Dave Wischnowsky, and Craig Peterson, The Daily Times, "The Utica tornado aftermath"

3rd: Mike Cetera, The Beacon News, "New focus on gang probe"

2nd: Libby John, Chris Rickert, Paul Mikolajczyk, Rob Carroll, Dan Campana, The Daily Chronicle, "Sizing up growth"

1st: Colt Foutz, The Naperville Sun, "Park District Commissioner controversy"
The Naperville Sun's series on a controversial park district commission is an excellent example of methodical yet tenacious journalism. In a story ripe with sensational elements - taxpayer money paying for alcohol and gambling, a commissioner earning degrees from a diploma mill (with taxpayer dollars) and other misdeeds - the Sun showed an admirable amount of restraint and stoicism in reporting the events. It also should be noted that many aspects of the story, since they relate to personnel issues and are thus subject to closed meeting sessions, were probably especially difficult to obtain.

BUSINESS/FINANCIAL/CONSUMER STORY

Group I

3rd: Sher Gries, Woodford County Journal, "Milk surplus is 'Sweet 'n' Clean'"

2nd: Rich Rostron, The Woodstock Independent, "Little leak, big bill - is the toilet running?"

1st: Jennifer Dumont, Elburn Herald, "Finazzles has formula for success"
Offbeat story whose style fits its subjects.

Group II

HM: Karen Chadra, The Doings, "Passion for Pizza: For lucky Midwesterners, the pie's the limit"

3rd: Dawn Raftery, The Doings, "Home on the range: Oak Brook couple tries their hand at bison ranch"

2nd: Sandy Bosch, The Doings, "Starting fresh after 40: It's never too late to change your world"

1st: Sandy Bosch, The Doings, "Circle of blame: Patients left in middle of medical liability crisis"
All four of The Doings' entries stood head and shoulders above the field in this category, both in reader relevancy and quality of writing. The winning story uses startling statistics and a good mix of sources to educate readers on a critical Illinois issue.

Group III

HM: Melissa Vogt, The Dispatch, "Declare war on household germs"

HM: Jim Faber, The Beacon News, "Tourism Trap"

3rd: Jonathan Bilyk, The Daily Times, "Growing Pains: Illinois farms becoming fewer, larger, while farmers becoming grayer…"

2nd: Jim Faber and Dan Waitt, The Beacon News, "Score one for the small box stores"

1st: Scott Reeder, Stephanie Sievers and Jenny Lee, The Daily Times, "Malpractice Insurance: Healthcare at a premium"
Story brings home the impact of the malpractice crisis to rural Illinois. A well-planned, comprehensive look at a huge issue in Illinois.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Group I

3rd: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "Wading through the Orland Grassland"

2nd: Elena Ferrarin, The Regional News, "Speaking freely"

1st: Sher Gries, Woodford County Journal, "Yoder to offer soy biofuel"

Group II

3rd: Ashok Selvan, The Reporter, "New medical procedure gets to heart of problem"

2nd: Victoria Scott, Evanston RoundTable, L.L.C., "Solar house reflects the possibilities of renewable energy"

1st: Mark Szakonyi, The Reporter, "Fuel of the future"

Group III

3rd: Tom Schlueter, Kane County Chronicle, "Tiny technology"

2nd: Dave Parro, The Beacon News, "From the plant to your tap at 42 million gallons a day"

1st: Tom Schlueter, Kane County Chronicle, "Astronomical observations"

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Group I

3rd: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Primary results"

2nd: Jim Pearson, The Woodstock Independent, "Valedictorians and Salutatorians"

1st: Mark Lobo and Rich Rostron, The Woodstock Independent, "Little leak, big bill"
The combination of a lighter, more whimsical illustration and a harder, data-driven chart is effective. The cartoon had me chuckling and the chart had me thinking.

Group II

3rd: Jim Slonoff, The Doings, "Circle of blame"

2nd: Jim Slonoff, The Doings, "Community House traces roots"

1st: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "Downtown Oswego map"
Maps are difficult to make interesting, but the sheer volume of downtown renovations and new construction projects makes this one a "must-see" for residents. One of the stronger story/graphic links in this size division.

Group III

3rd: Kim Carpenter, The Daily Journal, "One tank wonders"

2nd: Shawn Vilana, The Beacon News, "What's your MRI-Q"

1st: Scott Nychay, Northwest Herald, "Ready for action"
This informational graphic is "da best!" It has a gorgeous layout emphasizing balance between data and visual elements, including both drawings and photos. There is useful information for those in the cheapest nosebleed seats and for Bear fans who watch the game from the most luxurious sky boxes.

EDITORIAL PAGE DESIGN

Group I

3rd: The Regional News

2nd: Woodford County Journal

1st: The Woodstock Independent
With its clean design and ample commentary and letters, these editorial pages are a hands-down winner. The regular photo opinion poll adds another nice tough to both content and design.

Group II

3rd: The MidWeek

2nd: Lakeland Newspapers

1st: The Doings
The Doings opinion pages are crisp and clean. Editorials, commentaries and letters are clearly marked and presented in an easy-to-read fashion. The pages designer makes good use of pull-out summaries and quotes.

Group III

3rd: The Daily Journal

2nd: The Daily Times

1st: The Beacon News
Terrific use of photos, interesting design and clean typography make The Beacon News opinion pages stand out.

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 Beacon News

W.E. WILLIAMS AWARD

Sponsored by Star Newspapers for the best single in-depth news story in Circulation Group II.

2004 winner: Diane Strand, The MidWeek, "Does bilingual education work in public schools?

TOM REAY AWARD

Sponsored by Rockford Register Star for the best single in-depth news story in Circulation Group III

2004 winner: 1st: Stephen Elliott, The Dispatch, 2 mothers, 2 killers, 2 dead little boys"

Back to top