Nominations for the 48th Annual Peter Lisagor Awards, which recognize Chicago’s best journalism from across the media spectrum, are open from December 2 to February 3. The price of entry will gradually increase as the deadline nears. No entries will be accepted after February 3 at 11:59 p.m.
How To Enter
- Visit the Better Newspaper Contest platform.
- Scroll through the list of available contests and select this option: “2024 Chicago Headline Club: The 48th Annual Peter Lisagor Awards.”
- When prompted, select “Open call login.”
- If you entered previous Lisagor contests, your email and password should be the same.
- If this is your first time entering the Lisagor Awards, click on “Create your Open Call account” and follow the prompts.
- Read our Peter Lisagor guidlines.
- Have a question? Visit our FAQ page.
Nomination Fees
- Early bird entry — apply by Monday, December 30 at 11:59 p.m.
- Members: $35
- Non members: $55
- Student: $15
- Regular entry — apply by Monday, January 20 at 11:59 p.m.
- Members: $40
- Non members: $60
- Student members: $10
- Student: $20
- Last chance entry — apply by Monday, February 3 at 11:59 p.m.
- Members: $50
- Non members: $65
- Student: $25
2024 Lisagor Award Categories
You’ll be asked to select your publication type when you enter. Small Print/Online refers to print or online newsrooms with fewer than 50 full-time staff. Large Print/Online refers to newsrooms with 50 or more full-time staff or local bureaus of large national or international news organizations.
Visit our FAQ page for more information about the awards guidelines.
Best All Media
- Best Investigative Reporting
- Best Feature or Human Interest Single Story
- Best Feature or Human Interest Series
- Best Multimedia Collaboration
- Best Data Journalism
- Best Public Service
- Best Community Engagement
- Best Health Reporting
Design & Visuals
- Best News Photo
- Best Feature Photo
- Best Sports Photo
- Best Illustration or Graphics
- Best Design in a Print Publication
- Best Digital Design
- Best Use of News Video
- Best Use of Feature Video
- Best Use of Data Visualization
- Best Multimedia Feature Presentation
- Best Social or Short-Form Video
- Best Headline From a Print/Online Publication
Commentary & Presentation
- Best Column or Editorial From a Small Print/Online Publication
- Best Column or Editorial From a Large Print/Online Publication
- Best Sports Commentary
- Best Featured Reporter or Host
- Best Email Newsletter
- Best Podcast
- Best Food or Restaurant Coverage
- Best Music Coverage
- Best Theater or Literary Coverage
Best Coverage by Subject
(Separate winners in Small Print/Online, Large Print/Online, Audio, Visual and Student)
- Best Feature Reporting Single Story/Episode
- Best Feature Reporting Series
- Best Investigative Reporting
- Best Reporting on Crime and Justice
- Best Education Reporting
- Best Business Reporting
- Best Reporting on Race and Diversity
- Best Science and Technology Reporting
- Best Political and Government Reporting
- Best Arts and Entertainment Reporting
- Best Sports Reporting
- Best Deadline Reporting
- Best Community Reporting
- Best Reporting on Environment/Climate Change
Contest Rules
Entries must have aired or been published in the 2024 calendar year and be the original work of journalists in Illinois or northwest Indiana.
All nominations must meet standards set forth in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. Entities that are principally advocacy organizations are not eligible. Entries should include all related corrections, clarifications or retractions.
Entries are judged by an impartial SPJ chapter outside Illinois. Winners will be announced at an awards dinner on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Chicago Headline Club membership requires both $75 dues for the National Society of Professional Journalists and $20 for Headline Club for a total of $95 — with discounts available for students, retirees and multiple members in the same household.
If you have questions, please email chi.headlineclub.lisagorawards@gmail.com.
Past Winners