Shaw Media journalists throughout northern Illinois were honored with dozens of awards Thursday, June 5, at the Illinois Press Association Convention and awards ceremony in East Peoria.

“We’re honored to be recognized, of course,” Executive Editor M. Eileen Brown said. “But the real credit goes to our Shaw newsroom teams who work tirelessly every day to serve their communities across northern Illinois. These awards reflect their deep commitment to local journalism and to telling the stories that matter.”

Among Shaw Local’s newspapers, the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb led the way with six first-place awards in the small daily newspaper competition. The Daily Chronicle also was the second-place finisher for the Patrick Coburn Award of Excellence Trophy, one of six Sweepstakes Trophies awarded to newspapers earning the most contest points in their circulation division.

Here’s a closer look at awards presented to Shaw Local newsrooms and their journalists at the IPA’s annual convention.

Editorial Awards

First Place

  • General Excellence – Daily Chronicle.
  • Localized National Story – Kelsey Rettke and Brenda Schory, Daily Chronicle.
  • Sports Section – Edward Carifio, Daily Chronicle.
  • Sports News – Rob Oesterle, Herald-News.
  • Community Service – David Petesch, Kane County Chronicle.
  • Sports News – Joshua Welge, Suburban Life, Lombard.

Second Place

  • Freedom of Information – Megann Horstead, Daily Chronicle.
  • News Reporting, Single Story – Felix Sarver, Herald-News.
  • Localized News Story – Janelle Walker, Northwest Herald.
  • Sports News – Brian Hoxsey, The Times.
  • Original Column – Charlene Bielema, Sauk Valley Media.
  • Government Beat Reporting – Brandon Clark, Sauk Valley Media.
  • News Reporting, Series – Charlene Bielema, Sauk Valley Media.
  • Robert M. Cole Award – David Petesch, Best Local School Board coverage, Kane County Chronicle.

Third Place

  • Localized National Story – Camden Lazenby, Daily Chronicle.
  • Government Beat Reporting– Brandon Clark, Sauk Valley Media.
  • News Reporting, Series – Brandon Clark, Sauk Valley Media.
  • Sports Column – Kevin Hieronymous, Bureau County Republican
  • Sports Feature – Kevin Hieronymous, Bureau County Republican

Fourth Place

  • Feature Writing, Personality Profile – Charlene Bielema, Sauk Valley Media.
  • News Reporting, Series – Charlene Bielema, Sauk Valley Media.
  • Freedom of Information Award – Brenda Schory, Kane County Chronicle.
  • News Reporting, Single Story – Joey Weslo, Kendall County Records.

Photography Awards

First Place

  • General News Photo – Mark Busch, Daily Chronicle.
  • Feature Photo – Mark Busch, Daily Chronicle.
  • Portrait/Personality Photo – Mark Busch, Daily Chronicle.
  • Sports Photo – Sandy Bressner, Kane County Chronicle.
  • General News Photo – Sandy Bressner, Suburban Life, Wheaton.

Second Place

  • General News Photo – Gary Middendorf, Herald-News.
  • Portrait/Personality Photo – Scott Anderson, The Times.
  • Spot News Photo – Alex T. Paschal, Sauk Valley Media.

Third Place

  • Portrait/Personality Photo – Gary Middendorf, Herald-News.

Advertising and Niche Media Awards

First Place

  • Best Niche Publication – Julie Barichello and Kelley White, Kane County Chronicle
  • Best Community Focus Special Section – Julie Barichello, NewsTribune. “Illinois Valley Community Guide”

Second Place

  • Best Community Focus Special Section – Julie Barichello, Kane County Chronicle. “Batavia Community Guide”
  • Best Niche Publication – Julie Barichello and Kelley White, Kane County Chronicle.
  • Best Community Focus Special Section – Julie Barichello, The Herald-News. “Joliet Community Guide”
  • Best Niche Publication – Julie Barichello, The Times. “Starved Rock Country”

Third Place

  • Best Community Focus Special Section – Julie Barichello, Kelley White and Lisa Angel, Daily Chronicle. “DeKalb County Resource Guide”
  • Best Niche Publication, Sauk Valley Media

Fourth Place

  • Best Niche Publication, Sauk Valley Media

The IPA convention draws hundreds of newspaper professionals from across the state for networking, professional development and the opportunity to learn about useful products, materials and information from exhibitors.

Editorial and advertising departments are represented, with publishers, editors, reporters, advertising directors, sales representatives, photographers and designers in attendance.