Shaw Local journalists throughout northern Illinois were honored Thursday at the Illinois Press Association Convention and awards ceremony at Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino in East Peoria.
Shaw Local newspapers received a combined 45 awards in contest categories that included general excellence, photography, news writing, opinion writing and design.
“We are so proud of our staff and honored by these awards,” Executive Editor M. Eileen Brown said. “They reflect the hard work, talent, dedication, and integrity of our journalists, as well as our commitment to delivering meaningful journalism for the communities we serve.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what this team has accomplished,” Brown said.
Almost 80 daily and nondaily newspapers competed in 39 editorial categories. The Hoosier State Press Association judged the almost 1,600 editorial entries for work done in 2025.
Among Shaw Local’s newspapers, the Kendall County Record in Yorkville led the way with three first-place awards. Next up was the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb and the Bureau County Republican in Princeton which each received two first-place awards.
The Daily Chronicle also finished second for general excellence, and the Bureau County Republican finished in fourth place for the Harold and Eva White Memorial Trophy. That trophy is one of six Sweepstakes Trophies awarded to newspapers earning the most contest points in their circulation division.
In advertising, The Ottawa Times won best niche publication, and The Kane County Chronicle won best community focus special section.
Here’s a closer look at awards presented to Shaw Local newsrooms and their journalists at the IPA’s annual convention.
First Place
- Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Freedom of Information, Payton Felix
- Daily Chronicle, DeKalb, Sports Section, Eddie Carifio
- Kendall County Record, Yorkville, News Reporting Series, Joey Weslo
- The Herald-News, Joliet, News Reporting Series, Denise Unland
- Kendall County Record, Yorkville, Spot News Photo, Mark Busch
- The Times, Ottawa, Spot News Photo, Scott Anderson
- Bureau County Republican, Princeton, Obituary Tribute, Kevin Hieronymus
- Suburban Life, Downers Grove, Sports News, Russ Hodges
- Kendall County Record, Yorkville, Sports News, Josh Welge
- Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, General News Photo, Greg Shaver
- Suburban Life, La Grange, Sports Feature, Russ Hodges
- Bureau County Republican, Princeton, Sports Feature, Kevin Hieronymus
Certificates
Sauk Valley Media
- Local editorial, third place, John Sahly – A brittle spirit weakens the community: Fritts should re-up with the Chamber
Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake
- Local Editorial, fourth place, John Sahly – This is why we can’t have nice things
- Government Beat Reporting, third place, Claire O’Brien – McHenry County floats tax increase
- Sports Feature, third place, Russ Hodges – After suffering from myocarditis, Liam Lodding’s golf passion still beats strong
- Feature Writing, fourth place, Amanda Marrazzo – Man searching for his birth family found 8 siblings – who embraced him as their own
- Sports Feature, fourth place, Joe Aguilar – Cancer survivor Brock Iverson of Cary-Grove enjoying baseball, life
Kendall County Record, Yorkville
- News Reporting Series, second place, Eric Schelkopf – Toddler dead in Portillo’s crash in Oswego
- Localized National Story, second place, Eric Schelkopf – Food pantries expect increase in demand when SNAP cuts take effect
- Sports News, third place, Josh Welge – Oswego softball wins state
Daily Chronicle, DeKalb
- Localized National Story, third place, Megann Horstead, Camden Lazenby – Inside DeKalb mom’s fight to keep Medicaid for her baby
- General excellence, second place
- Investigative Reporting, fourth place, Payton Felix
- Portrait, second place, Mark Busch – Turning 100
- Portrait, third place, Mark Busch – Zipliner
- Photo Series, fourth place, Mark Busch – Shabbona fire
- Sports News, third place, Eddie Carifio – Longtime Sycamore coach Joe Ryan set to retire after season
- Feature Writing, third place, Camden Lazenby – The Civil War captain who became a Sandwichpioneer
The Herald-News, Joliet
- Freedom of Information, third place, Felix Sarver – Illinois AG: Will County Sheriff’s Office wrong in denying request for records in nonprofit theft
- Business/Economic Reporting, third place, Denise Unland – Immigration crackdown fears affecting Illinois restaurant industry
- Investigative Reporting, third place, Felix Sarver – City of Joliet billed $157,280 to fight federal conspiracy lawsuit from defeated mayor
Kane County Chronicle, Geneva
- Government Beat Reporting, third place, Brenda Schory – Campton Hills coverage
- Sports News, second place, Joel Boenitz – St. Charles East wrestler wins state title
- Sports Feature, third place, Joel Boenitz – Kaneland grad winning LA marathon
Suburban Life, Lombard
- Sports News, second place, Josh Welge – Montini football player Izzy Abrams
Suburban Life, Wheaton
- Sports News, third place, Josh Welge – Benet boys basketball wins state
Suburban Life, Downers Grove
- Sports News, fourth place, Russ Hodges
Bureau County Republican, Princeton
- Sports News, second place, Kevin Hieronymus – Cancer awareness night
- Sports Column, second place, Kevin Hieronymus – Hieronymus’ Hypothesis
- Sports News, fourth place, Kevin Hieronymus – Remembering Todd
- Sports Feature, second place, Kevin Hieronymus – Jordan Reinhardt and the Easter Sunday Miracle
- Sports Section, third place, Kevin Hieronymus, Brandon Beckwith – Bureau County Republican sports
The Times, Ottawa
- Feature Photo, second place, Scott Anderson – Flag moon eclipse
The Daily Journal, Kankakee
- Portrait, second place, Tiffany Blanchette – Farmer Glenn’s pumpkin portrait
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.
