Daily Herald staff members win 7 Lisagor awards

Several Daily Herald writers, photographers and editors have been honored with seven awards at the annual Peter Lisagor Excellence in Journalism competition.

"Peter Lisagor, the late Washington bureau chief for the old Daily News, was one of the most respected journalists in Chicago-area history," Editor John Lampinen said, "so it's especially gratifying when our staff earns awards named in his memory."

Among the recognized work was transportation writer Marni Pyke's ongoing coverage of ethics questions regarding hiring and contracts at the Illinois Toll Highway Authority. Her reports led to the removal and replacement of the entire tollway board and earned her a Lisagor Award for Best Investigative Reporting.

In addition, the Daily Herald Editorial Board, led by deputy managing editor Jim Slusher, received a Lisagor Award for Best Editorial Writing for a series of editorials related to Pyke's investigative work. Those editorials called for greater accountability and transparency from the tollway authority.

The Daily Herald also won Lisagor Awards for:

• Best Feature Story or Series, to Lampinen for "Last Kiss," an eight-part series on the emotional trials of surviving the loss of a spouse.

• Best Arts Reporting and Criticism, to film critic Dann Gire for a selection of movie reviews.

• Best Design, to assistant managing editor Neil Holdway for a selection of Page 1 designs.

• Best Feature Photo, to assistant photo editor Rick West for a picture of students getting high-fives from teachers on their return to school after summer vacation.

• Best Sports Photo, to night photo editor Patrick Kunzer for a picture of high school boys soccer players silhouetted at sunset.

The newspaper had 22 finalists in 14 categories for the judging, which is sponsored by the Chicago Headline Club to recognize the best in journalism throughout the Chicago region and northern Indiana.

Three finalists were named in April for each category of the competition, and awards were presented Friday at a dinner at the Union League Club in downtown Chicago. In three categories - Best Design, Best Feature Photo and Best Sports Photo - all three finalists were Daily Herald staff members.

"We're proud of the recognition from the Chicago Headline Club and proud of our talented, hardworking staff," managing editor Jim Baumann said.