Winners announced in Illinois APME newspaper contest
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Winners have been announced in the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors 2019 newspaper contest.
The awards for General Excellence and Photo and Editorial Sweepstakes, as well as News Innovator of the Year -- will be announced during the annual convention of the Illinois Press Association on Thursday, October 22, in Springfield, Illinois.
Thirty daily newspapers submitted 757 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns and photos from 2019.
Please review the winners list and contact Ann Michelle Householder (ahouseholder@ap.org or 734/276.0439) by Friday May 15, to report any misspelled names, titles or other problems.
The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing thousands of newspapers and broadcast stations in the United States.
Winners in the 2019 Illinois APME Newspaper Contest:
Division III/Metro
Breaking News: First, Chicago Tribune, 'œThe Slaying of Marlen Ochoa Lopez'ť; Second, Carolyn P. Smith and Mike Koziatek, Belleville News-Democrat, 'œIllinois State Police SWAT Trooper Dies'ť; Third, Jake Griffin, Bob Susnjara and Mick Zawislak, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œParents Charged with Killing AJ.'ť
Spot News Photo: First, Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 'œVigil for Teen Killed'ť; Second, Jeff Knox, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œGrief in Aurora'ť; Third, Jessica Gallagher, The (Moline) Dispatch-Rock Island Argus, 'œFlood.'ť
Sports Breaking News: First, Bruce Miles, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œMaddon Takes the Fall'ť; Second, John Dietz, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œHe's a Leader for a Reason'ť; Third, Scot Gregor, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œCompetitive Window is Finally Set to Open.'ť
Sports Action Photo: First, Brian O'Mahoney, Tinley Park Daily Southtown, 'œFailed Handoff'ť; Second, Jose M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune, 'œRodgers Recovers'ť; Third, John Starks, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œWrestling Reflection.'ť
Feature: First, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œChicago: City of Murals'ť; Second, Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 'œNo Home for a Child'ť; Third, Cindy Dampier, Chicago Tribune, 'œIllinois Prairie Chicken Dance Could Soon be a Thing of the Past.'ť
Feature Photo: First, John Starks, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œLeaning Into the Turn'ť; Second, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register, 'œSnow Bundle'ť; Third, David Zalaznik, Peoria Journal Star, 'œThe Weight of the Moon.'ť
Sports Feature: First, Steve Greenberg, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œThe Stone Cold Truth: I'm Psychic'ť; Second, Rick Telander, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œDoing the Write Thing'ť; Third, Barry Rozner, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œWhatever Happened to Peggy Kusinski?'ť
Sports Feature Photo: First, John J. Kim, Chicago Tribune, 'œOff the Wall'ť; Second, Justin Fowler, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register, 'œWinners'ť; Third, Jessica Gallagher, The (Moline) Dispatch-Rock Island Argus, 'œFulton.'ť
Column or Blog: First, Rex Huppke, Chicago Tribune; Second, Phil Luciano, Peoria Journal Star; Third, Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times.
Sports Column or Blog: First, Steve Greenberg, Chicago Sun-Times; Second, Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune; Third, Phil Luciano, Peoria Journal Star.
Portrait/Personality: First, Justin Fowler, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register, 'œTwins'ť; Second, Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune, 'œCloudy Disposition'ť; Third, Jessica Gallagher, The (Moline) Dispatch-Rock Island Argus, 'œPacesetter.'ť
Business Reporting: First, Stephanie Zimmermann, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œCar Insurance Roulette'ť; Second, Tom Schuba, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œOther States Aim to Profit Off Legal Weed'ť; Third, Ally Marotti, Chicago Tribune, 'œDigital Home Invasions.'ť
Editorial Writing: First, Tom McNamee, Chicago Sun-Times; Second, Diane Dungey, Arlington Heights Daily Herald; Third, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register.
Headlines: First, Dean Muellerleile, Peoria Journal Star; Second, Darel Jevens, Chicago Sun-Times; Third, Eric White, Chicago Sun-Times.
Enterprise Story: First, Stacy St. Clair and Jeff Coen, Chicago Tribune, 'œA Man Lost His Life From an Improperly Installed Wire'ť; Second, Stephanie Zimmermann, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œCar Insurance Roulette'ť; Third, Kevin Haas, Rockford Register Star, 'œLockdown Hell.'ť
General News Photo: First, John J. Kim, Chicago Tribune, 'œCloaking Device'ť; Second, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register, 'œFire Dog'ť; Third, Derik Holtmann, Belleville News-Democrat, 'œFamily Members with Casket.'ť
Enterprise Series: First, Frank Main and Colin McNulty, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œMotive'ť; Second, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œDisorder in the Courts'ť; Third, Burt Constable and Diane Dungey, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 'œFrom the Suburbs to the Moon.'ť
Best Use of Social Media by an Individual: First, Carlos Ballesteros, Chicago Sun-Times; Second, Maureen O'Donnell, Chicago Sun-Times; Third, Scott P. Yates, Rockford Register Star.
Best Use of Social Media by an Institutional Account: First, Chicago Sun-Times; Second, Chicago Tribune; Third, Belleville News-Democrat.
Spot News or Spot Sports Video: First, Anthony Zilis, The (Champaign) News-Gazette, 'œ2019 Girls' State Track'ť; Second, Chicago Tribune, 'œColder Than the South Pole'ť; Third, Derik Holtmann, Belleville News-Democrat, 'œResident Safe After House Explodes.'ť
Digital Storytelling: First, Frank Main and Colin McNulty, Chicago Sun-Times, 'œMotive'ť; Second, Chicago Tribune, 'œThe Quiet Rooms'ť; Third, E. Jason Wambsgans and William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 'œRace Riots of 1919.'ť
Best Website: First, Chicago Tribune; Second, Chicago Sun-Times; Third, Belleville News-Democrat.
Picture Story: First, Jessica Gallagher, The (Moline) Dispatch-Rock Island Argus, 'œThis is My Identity'ť; Second, Scott P. Yates, Rockford Register Star, 'œDancing Through the Darkness'ť; Third, Stacey Wescott, John J. Kim and Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune, 'œThe Tragic Story of 5-year-old AJ Freund.'ť
Investigative Reporting: First, Jennifer Smith Richards, Jodi S. Cohen and Lakeidra Chavis, Chicago Tribune, 'œThe Quiet Rooms'ť; Second, Jeff Coen, Ally Marotti and Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 'œIllinois Marijuana Growers Spent About $600,000 on Political Giving.'ť; Third, Julie Wurth, The (Champaign) News-Gazette, 'œSexual Harassment on the University of Illinois Campus.'ť
Public Service: First, Jennifer Smith Richards, Jodi S. Cohen and Lakeidra Chavis, Chicago Tribune, 'œThe Quiet Rooms'ť; Second, Stephanie Zimmermann, Chicago Sun-Times, 'ť'~GI Bill Failures, Broken Promises'ť; Third, Beth Hundsdorfer, Gary Dotson and George Pawlaczyk, Belleville News-Democrat, 'œMurders in East St. Louis.'ť
Division II/Mid-Sized
Breaking News: First, Valerie Wells and Jaylyn Cook, Decatur Herald & Review, 'œTwo Students Injured by Flash Fire'ť; Second, Gabriel Neely-Streit, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œMy Baby is Home'ť; Third, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œBrought to Justice.'ť
Spot News Photo: First, Matthew Apgar, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œBark Park Protest'ť; Second, Isaac Smith, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œRescue'ť; Third, John Badman, The (Alton) Telegraph, 'œCrash Cost A lot of Doe.'ť
Sports Breaking News: First, Sean Hammond, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œPolice Reports Allege Pattern of Abuse'ť; Second, Joey Wagner, Decatur Herald & Review, 'œNettles Wins Three Golds at State Track Meet'ť; Third, Sean Hammond, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œPriester '~Fired Up' After Being Selected in MLB Draft.'ť
Sports Action Photo: First, Scott Anderson, LaSalle News-Tribune, 'œRainy Header'ť; Second, Tom Sistak, The (Ottawa) Times, 'œThe Cowgirl Way'ť; Third, Byron Hetzler, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œBunker Blast.'ť
Feature: First, Isaac Smith, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œInmates at Shawnee Correctional Center Provide Care for Dying Prisoners'ť; Second, Matt Hopf, The Quincy Herald-Whig, 'œPreserving a Legacy'ť; Third, Dave Fopay, Mattoon Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, 'œMax Went from Stray to House Dog.'ť
Feature Photo: First, Clay Jackson, Decatur Herald & Review, 'œChristmas Gift'ť; Second, Matthew Apgar, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œInside the Cornbox'ť; Third, Alex Paschal, Sauk Valley Newspapers, 'œBored.'ť
Sports Feature: First, Patrick Engel, Mattoon Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, 'œThe Education and Journey of Mattoon's 16-year-old Professional Athlete'ť; Second, Sean Hammond, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œInside the Mental Hurdles of Lengthy ACL Recovery'ť; Third, Joe Stevenson, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œMLB Scouts Show Keen Interest in Priester.'ť
Sports Feature Photo: First, Byron Hetzler, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œExclamation Point'ť; Second, Eric Ginnard, The (Joliet) Herald-News, 'œMud Warrior'ť; Third, Sauk Valley Newspapers, 'œTaking Flight.'ť
Column or Blog: First, Joseph Hosey, The (Joliet) Herald-News; Second, Bob Okon, The (Joliet) Herald-News; Third, Tom Collins, LaSalle News-Tribune.
Sports Column or Blog: First, Matt Schuckman, The Quincy Herald-Whig; Second, Brian Hoxsey, The (Ottawa) Times, 'œFull-Court Press'ť; Third, J.T. Pedelty, The (Ottawa) Times, 'œThe Pedelty Box.'ť
Portrait/Personality: First, Eric Ginnard, The (Joliet) Herald-News, 'œMarcellus Moore Portrait'ť; Second, Katelyn Metzger, The Quincy Herald-Whig, 'œLyft Driver Assaulted'ť; Third, Eric Ginnard, The (Joliet) Herald-News, 'œRemembering Aaron.'ť
Business Reporting: First, Brent Bader, The (Ottawa) Times, 'œDoing Big Things in Small Towns'ť; Second, Gabriel Neely-Streit, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œBig Mac Blowup'ť; Third, Ethan Colbert, The Quincy Herald-Whig, 'œCity's Beer Distributors Oppose Food, Beverage Tax.'ť
Editorial Writing: First, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan; Second, Anne Halston, The (Aurora) Beacon-News; Third, Scott T. Holland, The (Ottawa) Times.
Headlines: First, Shawn Anglin, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan; Second, Joseph Hosey, The (Joliet) Herald-News.
Enterprise Story: First, Shawn Anglin and Marilyn Halstead, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œSearching for Justice: Ryan Livingston'ť; Second, Erika Riley, The (Galesburg) Register-Mail, 'œDUI Defense: Money Matters'ť; Third, Molly Parker, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œCBD Oil Craze Hits Southern Illinois.'ť
General News Photo: First, John Badman, The (Alton) Telegraph, 'œSoldier Reunion'ť; Second, Eric Ginnard, The (Joliet) Herald-News, 'œCompassion and Comfort'ť; Third, John Badman, The (Alton) Telegraph, 'œNuns Jubilee.'ť
Enterprise Series: First, Robert Connelly and Tom Loewy, The (Galesburg) Register-Mail, 'œSlots: Winners & Losers'ť; Second, Analisa Trofimuk, Decatur Herald & Review, 'œDecatur Building Demolitions 'ť; Third, Gabriel Neely-Streit, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œPlastic Problems: 400,000 Pounds and Counting.'ť
Best Use of Social Media by an Individual: First, Molly Parker, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan; Second, Sean Hammond, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald; Third, Matt Hopf, The Quincy Herald-Whig.
Best Use of Social Media by an Institutional Account: First, Jay Redfern, The (Galesburg) Register-Mail; Second, Kyle Nabors, Sean Hammond and Joe Stevenson, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œMcHenry County Sports.'ť
Spot News or Spot Sports Video: First, Jake Shane, The Quincy Herald-Whig, 'œStadium Under Water.'ť
Digital Storytelling: First, Chris Coates, Laura Sparks and Justin Conn , Decatur Herald & Review, 'œDecatur's Birth of the Bears'ť; Second, Brent Bader and Tom Collins, The (Ottawa) Times, 'œThe People v. Kenneth Cusick.'ť
Best Website: First, The Quincy Herald-Whig; Second, Decatur Herald & Review; Third, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan.
Picture Story: First, Matthew Apgar, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œAJ Freund's Disappearance and Murder'ť; Second, Isaac Smith, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œA Simple Life.'ť
Investigative Reporting: First, Emily Coleman, The (Waukegan) Lake County News-Sun, 'œReports of Abuse Filed More Than a Year Before Schools Took Action'ť; Second, Molly Parker, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan, 'œPublic Housing Issues in Southern Illinois and Beyond'ť; Third, Katie Smith, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œAJ Freund Coverage.'ť
Public Service: First, Drew Zimmerman, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œMcHenry County Coroner's Office Performance'ť; Second, Ethan Colbert, Andrew Drea and Jason Lewton, The Quincy Herald-Whig, 'œQuincy Public Library: A Gem of the Gem City'ť; Third, Drew Zimmerman, The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald, 'œWho Paid Joe Tirio's Legal Fees?'ť
Division I/Smallest
Breaking News: First, Kaitlin Cordes and John Curtis, Effingham Daily News, 'œPolice Investigate Shelbyville Homicide'ť; Second, Eric Olson and Aimee Barrows, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œBlaze at Apartment Complex Rages for Hours.'ť
Spot News Photo: First, Eric Olson, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œApartment Building Fire.'ť
Sports Breaking News: First, Chad Dare, Danville Commercial-News, 'œRepeat Performance'ť; Second, Eddie Carifio, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œSycamore-Montini Football'ť; Third, Kaleb Carter, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œVolley for a Cure.'ť
Sports Action Photo: First, Brian O'Mahoney, The (Elgin) Courier-News, 'œNose Job'ť; Second, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œGoal!'ť; Third, Brian O'Mahoney, The (Elgin) Courier-News, 'œPK Save.'ť
Feature: First, Kelsey Rettke, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œDeKalb Blogger's Tweet About Self-Acceptance Goes Viral 'ť; Second, Adrianna Pitrelli, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 'œA Pushback for the Student Press'ť; Third, Christopher Morrical, Danville Commercial-News, 'œThe Heavens Declare.'ť
Feature Photo: First, Kaitlin Cordes, Effingham Daily News, 'œAerial Proposal'ť; Second, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œCamp Power'ť; Third, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œSnowy Halloween.'ť
Sports Feature: First, Kaitlin Cordes, Effingham Daily News, 'œThe Coach and the Cancer'ť; Second, Marvin Holman, Danville Commercial-News, 'œVictory Lap'ť; Third, Eddie Carifio, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œSycamore Coach.'ť
Sports Feature Photo: First, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œWrestler of the Year'ť; Second, Brian O'Mahoney, Naperville Sun, 'œRepeat Champs'ť; Third, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œState Champions.'ť
Column or Blog: First, Adam J. Glazer, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 'œThrough Glazed Eyes'ť; Second, Michael R. Panter, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin; Third, Kevin Solari, DeKalb Daily Chronicle.
Sports Column or Blog: First, Eddie Carifio, DeKalb Daily Chronicle.
Portrait/Personality: First, David Thomas, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 'œJudge Jeffrey Cole'ť; Second, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œYoung Love'ť; Third, Kaitlin Cordes, Effingham Daily News, 'œPioneer Days Weaver.'ť
Business Reporting: First, Jennifer Bailey, Danville Commercial-News, 'œBright Lights in Vegas'ť; Second, Sarah Mansur, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 'œLaw School Notes.'ť
Editorial Writing: First, Jeff Long, Effingham Daily News; Second, Larry Smith, Danville Commercial-News; Third, Eric Olson, DeKalb Daily Chronicle.
Headlines: First, Marc Karlinsky, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin; Second, Ray Hochgesang, Naperville Sun; Third, Paul Day, Naperville Sun.
Enterprise Story: First, Carol Roehm, Danville Commercial-News, 'œKeeping Kids in Class'ť; Second, Jennifer Bailey, Danville Commercial-News, 'œPot Place'ť; Third, Jennifer Bailey, Danville Commercial-News, 'œWalls Tumbling Down.'ť
General News Photo: First, Kaitlin Cordes, Effingham Daily News, 'œUnit 40 Surprises Teacher'ť; Second, Crystal Reed, Effingham Daily News, 'œHornets Pick Odd Spot for Nest at Oakridge Cemetery'ť; Third, Mark Busch, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œControlled Burn.'ť
Best Use of Social Media by an Individual: First, Eddie Carifio, DeKalb Daily Chronicle; Second, Kaleb Carter, DeKalb Daily Chronicle.
Best Use of Social Media by an Institutional Account: First, Eddie Carifio and Kaleb Carter, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 'œDC Preps.'ť
Spot News or Spot Sports Video: First, Charles Mills, Effingham Daily News, 'œOwen Gets His Wish.'ť
Digital Storytelling: First, Kaitlin Cordes and Jeff Long, Effingham Daily News, 'œThe Coach and the Cancer.'ť
Best Website: First, Tanya Meyer and Emma Zelewsky, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Investigative Reporting: First, Andrew Maloney, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 'œA Look at Illinois' Legal Spending.'ť
Public Service: First, Kaitlin Cordes, Dawn Schabbing and Todd Buenker, Effingham Daily News, 'œRecreational Marijuana'ť; Second, Jennifer Bailey, Danville Commercial-News, 'œCasino Coverage.'ť