Daily Herald wins general excellence award and other honors from Illinois Press Association

The Daily Herald took first place in general excellence among large daily newspapers at the recent Illinois Press Association convention in Peoria.

The newspaper also won top honors for best website and special section, a look at local journalism for National Newspaper Week.

Assistant Managing Editor Jake Griffin won first place in feature writing for a story about a former World War II POW camp in Des Plaines.

In addition, the Daily Herald won a number of second-, third- and fourth-place honors:

Second place

Sports section

Sports photo/portrait — Brian Hill

Features photo — Brian Hill

Sports photo — John Starks

Third place

Newspaper design

Best coverage of taxation — Jake Griffin

Feature writing — Katlyn Smith

Editorial — Lisa Miner

Original column — Jim Slusher

Photo portrait — Joe Lewnard

General news photo — Rick West

Spot news photo — Rick West

Fourth place

Editorial — Jim Slusher

Photo portrait — Rick West

Feature photo — John Starks

General news photo — Brian Hill

Spot news photo — Joe Lewnard