Lampinen wins Freedom of Press Award

At its joint annual conference in Springfield, the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Associated Press Managers and Editors organization handed out contest awards and bestowed a special honor upon the Daily Herald's now retired editor.

John Lampinen, who wrapped up a 48-year career with the Daily Herald at the end of 2021, is the recipient of the IPA's Freedom of the Press Award, named for the late Judge James C. Craven, who long advocated for press freedoms in Illinois.

His son, Donald M. Craven, the CEO of the IPA and a champion for press freedoms in his own right, spoke of Lampinen's lengthy career and his commitment to quality journalism.

Lampinen responded: "I am in awe of these men and their contributions and get misty-eyed to think that my work has somehow received the blessing of their name. I see the honor also as a reflection of the Daily Herald's long commitment to the community's welfare and of the devotion of the scores of men and women here that I've been so lucky to work with, learn from and be inspired by in the course of a 48-year career."

The Daily Herald took home 19 awards, including three first-place showings, in the IPA's journalism contest.

And in the Illinois APME contest, the Daily Herald took home six awards, four of them for first place.

Award winners were announced in the spring.