The Chicago Headline Club is proud to announce the finalists for the 40th annual Peter Lisagor Awards — a hotly competitive contest that drew a near-record 871 entries this year.
The dinner and awards ceremony will be held Friday, May 12, at the Union League Club of Chicago. Tickets are now on sale; click here to buy your seat. Reservations close May 5.
In addition to announcing the winners in each print, broadcast and digital media category on May 12, the Headline Club will also honor two journalists with Lifetime Achievement Awards. This year, the club is honoring Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune and Robert Jordan of WGN-TV.
The club will also announce the winner of the Anne Keegan Award, honoring reporting on “the little guy.” Finalists for that award will not be announced before the ceremony.
Watchdog Award finalists
Chicago Reporter: “Settling for Misconduct,” an investigation and database of Chicago police misconduct settlements.” Jonah Newman, Matt Kiefer, Daisy Contreras, Alex Fryer and Alex Hernandez.
Chicago Tribune: “Suffering in Secret.” Michael J. Berens and Patricia Callahan.
James Kalven: “Code of Silence.”
Best All Media
Best Deadline Reporting
The Medill Justice Project: “Breaking News: Kate Parker Is Set Free.” Staff.
Chicago Tribune: “Family found slain in Gage Park home.” Lolly Bowean, Tony Briscoe, Peter Nickeas, Jeremy Gorner, Annie Sweeney, Liam Ford.
Bloomberg Businessweek: “The Incredible Rise and Final Hours of Fracking King Aubrey McClendon.” Bryan Gruley, Joe Carroll, Asjylyn Loder.
Best Investigative Reporting
Chicago Sun-Times: “CHA: Beyond the rubble.” Tim Novak, Chris Fusco, Mick Dumke, Chicago Sun-Times; Darnell Little, Data Reporting Lab; Brett Chase, Better Government Association.
Chicago Tribune: “Chicago’s Cop Crisis.” Chicago Tribune staff.
Chicago Tribune: ”Suffering in Secret” series. Michael Berens, Patricia Callahan.
Best Feature Story
Chicago magazine: “Can Jerryon Stevens Be Saved?” Elly Fishman.
Chicago Sun-Times: ”Life on a ledge.” Frank Main.
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Secret Cameras Record Baltimore’s Every Move From Above.” Monte Reel.
Best Feature Series
Chicago Tribune: “The Weight — Chronicling the Cubs’ magical season.” Paul Sullivan.
WGN Radio AM 720: “Quest for Gold.” Ryan Burrow.
DNAinfo Chicago: “Chicago Homeless Get Left Behind” series. Josh McGhee.
Best Short Film Documentary
Columbia College Chicago (Chicago Feminist Film Festival): “Tita Turns 100.” Elio Leturia, Sebastian Huydts, A. J. Olstad, Erik Rodríguez, Mariano Rebasa, Brandon D. Wood.
The Associated Press: “Young Shooting Victim Won’t Let Injury Stop Him.” Martha Irvine.
illinoispolicy.org: “Just reward: How the past haunts one Illinois mother searching for a second chance.” Austin Berg, Charlie Fritschner.
Best Photography
DNAinfo Chicago: “Veterans Volunteer for Vietnam War Memorial.” Kelly Bauer.
Chicago Tribune: “At Last!” Brian Cassella.
Chicago magazine: “Rites of Passage.” Alyssa Schukar.
Best Multimedia Collaboration
The Associated Press: “Ben’s Voice.” Martha Irvine, Roque Ruiz, Jonathan Bachman.
Chicago Sun-Times: ”Food trucks breaking the rules.” Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Sun-Times; Jason Knowles & Ann Pistone, ABC7 Chicago
The Medill Justice Project and Life of the Law: “Shaken.” Staff.
Best Editorial Cartoon
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Roger Schillerstrom 2016.” Roger Schillerstrom.
Chicago Tribune: “Scott Stantis editorial cartoons.” Scott Stantis.
illinoispolicy.org: “Editorial Cartoons by Eric Allie.” Eric Allie.
Best Graphics
Crain’s Chicago Business: “100 Most Connected in Chicago.” Jason McGregor, Sabrina Gasulla.
DNAinfo Chicago: “DNAinfo Chicago’s Graphics.” Tanveer Ali, DNAinfo Staff.
Chicago Tribune: “Election portfolio.” Ryan Marx, Kyle Bentle, Cecilia Reyes, Geoff Hing.
Best Illustration
Chicago magazine: “Dispatches from the Rap Wars.” Tim Marrs.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “What’s a Limb Worth?” Thomas J. Linden, Claire Bushey, Jude Buffam.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Seeing Red.” Jason McGregor, Jeff Ruby, Jackie Roche.
Best Data Journalism
The Chicago Reporter: “Settling for Misconduct.” Jonah Newman, Matt Kiefer.
Chicago Tribune: “Tracking 6 years of police shootings.” Jennifer Smith Richards, Angela Caputo, Jason Meisner, Todd Lighty, Jeff Coen.
DNAinfo Chicago: ”Changing Chicago” series. DNAinfo Staff.
General Interest Daily Newspaper, News Service or Bureau
Best Deadline Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Bloomberg News: “The Incredible Rise and Final Hours of Fracking King Aubrey McClendon.” Bryan Gruley, Joe Carroll, Asjylyn Loder.
Chicago Tribune: “Deadliest day in 13 years.” Patrick O’Connell, Alexandra Chachkevitch, Peter Nickeas, Lolly Bowean.
Bloomberg News: “Trump in Chicago.” John McCormick, Mario Parker, Tim Jones, Megan Durisin.
Best Deadline Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Lake County sheriff, No. 2 indicted on bribery charges; Portage mayor indicted separately for bribery in related scheme same day.” Bill Dolan, Joyce Russell.
The Daily Herald: “Fugitive Shot Dead In Antioch.” Russell Lissau.
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Elevated lead levels found in drinking water in some homes.” Lauren Leone-Cross.
Best Non-Deadline Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “How Aroldis Chapman left Cuba.” Jodi S. Cohen, Stacy St. Clair.
Chicago Sun-Times: “His property-tax bill: $0.” Tim Novak.
Chicago Tribune: “A game, a shooting and the downfall of a Chicago park.” Alexandra Chachkevitch.
Best Non-Deadline Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Beacon-News: “More than half of money from East Aurora 2008 referendum still in bank.” Sarah Freishtat.
Daily Southtown: “Township spending draws scrutiny.” Gregory Pratt.
illinoispolicy.org: “Illinois’ opioid crisis and the dark side of a broken workers’ compensation system.” Austin Berg.
Best Investigative Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Bloomberg News: “Food Fraud: From Toxic Shrimp to Parmesan Wood.” Lydia Mulvany, Monte Reel, Jason Gale, Zeke Faux
Chicago Tribune: “Chicago’s Cop Crisis.” Chicago Tribune staff.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Beyond the rubble: Life after the CHA upheaval.” Tim Novak, Chris Fusco, Mick Dumke, Brett Chase, Darnell Little.
Best Investigative Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Union leader gets second OWI break; news story uncovers prosecutor error, city court malfeasance.” Bill Dolan.
The Daily Herald: “Safer? The Data On Red Light Cameras.” Marni Pyke.
Daily Southtown: “Lincoln-Way investigation.” Gregory Pratt.
Best Political and Government Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Bloomberg News: “Campaign Battlefront: Rural America.” John McCormick.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Beyond the rubble: Life after the CHA upheaval.” Tim Novak, Chris Fusco, Mick Dumke, Brett Chase, Darnell Little.
Chicago Tribune: “Rahm Emanuel.” Bill Ruthhart, Jeff Coen, John Chase, Hal Dardick.
Best Political and Government Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Controversial abortion bill shoved through Legislature meets its demise.” Dan Carden.
Daily Southtown: “Money and violence in suburban Markham.” Gregory Pratt, Sarah Freishtat.
The Daily Herald: “Kane County Government Officials’ Spending.” Jim Fuller.
Best Education Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Sun-Times: “UNO’s secret spending spree.” Dan Mihalopoulos.
Chicago Tribune: “Teacher bonuses.” Diane Rado.
Chicago Sun-Times: “CPS’ selective-school myth.” Lauren FitzPatrick.
Best Education Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
Daily Herald: “Struggle and Success in East Aurora Schools.” Melissa Silverberg.
Daily Southtown: “Leo High School.” Zak Koeske.
Rockford Register Star: “Sub Nation.” Corina Curry.
Best Science, Health, Technology or Environment Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “The Price of Pork.” David Jackson, Gary Marx, Stacey Wescott, Jemal Brinson.
Chicago Tribune and Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune: “East Chicago lead contamination.” Craig Lyons, Angela Caputo, Michael Hawthorne.
Chicago Tribune: “Dangerous Doses.” Sam Roe, Karisa King, Ray Long.
Best Science, Health, Technology or Environment Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Daily Herald: “300 Miles From Flint: How Safe Is Our Water?” Jake Griffin.
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Dealing with opioid addiction in the region.” Giles Bruce.
Washington Post: “There’s new hope for blood cancers, and it comes from umbilical cords.” Susan Berger.
Best News Column or Commentary (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “Mary Schmich.” Mary Schmich
Chicago Tribune: “William Lee.” William Lee.
Better Government Association/Sun-Times: “Public Eye column.” Staff.
Best News Column or Commentary (circulation less than 100,000)
The Daily Herald: “Burt Constable’s ‘Suburban Stories.’” Burt Constable.
The Beacon-News: “Denise Crosby columns.” Denise Crosby.
Northwest Herald: “Columns by Austin Berg.” Austin Berg.
Best Editorial Writing (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Sun-Times: “A sampling of 3 Chicago Sun-Times editorials.” Tom McNamee, Tom Frisbie, Marlen Garcia
Chicago Tribune: “A sample of editorials advocating for police reforms.” Marie Dillon.
Best Editorial Writing (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Cure the Scourge of Lake County Cronyism.” Marc Chase.
The Daily Herald: “The 2016 Presidential Election.” John Lampinen.
The Daily Herald: “Palatine Teachers’ Contract.” Editorial Board.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “Sept. 11, 2001, loans default at high rate .” Becky Yerak, Jennifer Smith Richards.
Bloomberg News: “Food Fraud: From Toxic Shrimp to Parmesan Wood.” Lydia Mulvany, Monte Reel, Jason Gale, Zeke Faux.
Chicago Tribune: “Chicago’s youth unemployment crisis.” Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Art of the deal: How East Chicago lured Hoist Liftruck, 500 jobs.” Joseph Pete.
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Ex NiSource execs net lucrative golden parachutes, options.” Keith Benman.
The Daily Herald: “The Closing of Haegar Pottery.” Lauren Rohr.
Best Feature Story (circulation more than 100,000)
Bloomberg News: “The Fake Factory That Pumped Out Real Money.” Mario Parker, Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Bryan Gruley.
Associated Press: “Beyond the Bullet.” Sharon Cohen.
Bloomberg News: “Secret Cameras Record Baltimore’s Every Move From Above.” Monte Reel.
Best Feature Series (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “For the Love of Pizza.” Food & Dining Staff.
Chicago Tribune: “Cubs mania.” Kathy Bergen, Patrick O’Connell, Ted Gregory, Marwa Eltagouri, William Lee, Tony Briscoe.
Chicago Tribune: “KFC.” Lori Rackl, Joe Gray, Jay Jones.
Best Feature Story or Series (circulation less than 100,000)
The Daily Herald: “Standing Tall On Stage.” Barbara Vitello.
The Daily Herald: “Mental Health: A Growing Concern.” Marie Wilson.
Naperville Sun: “Little-known murder registry raises questions of public safety, privacy.” Bill Bird, Hannah Leone, Gloria Casas, Denise Crosby.
Best Arts Reporting and Criticism (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Rebirth of the Star Plaza Theatre.” Joseph Pete.
The Daily Herald: “Barbara Vitello’s Theater Reviews.” Barbara Vitello.
The Daily Herald: “Dann Gire Movie Reviews.” Dann Gire.
Best Arts Reporting and Criticism (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Sun-Times: “Lessons in literature.” Talia Beechick.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Art & soul.” Stefano Esposito.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Survivors’ stories.” Maudlyne Ihejirika.
Best Sports Story (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “Born and led.” Chris Hine.
Chicago Tribune: “Olympics so near yet so far from Rio favelas.” Stacy St. Clair.
Chicago Sun-Times: “How to get over a loss.” Patrick Finley.
Best Sports Story (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Spilled drink leads to Griffith bus rollover on way to semistate.” Steve Hanlon, Elvia Magalon, Matt Schubert.
The Daily Herald: “The Greatest Gifts.” John Dietz.
The Daily Herald: “The Voice of Baseball.” Bruce Miles.
Best Sports Commentary (circulation more than 100,000)
Bleacher Report: “Life As A Young Athlete In Flint, Michigan. Keep Faith, Skip Showers… and Find a Way Out”; “From Bullied Foster Kid to NBA’s Doorstep”; “The Gamer.” Greg Couch.
Chicago Sun-Times: “3 sports columns by Rick Morrissey.” Rick Morrissey.
Chicago Sun-Times: “3 sports columns by Steve Greenberg.” Steve Greenberg.
Best Sports Commentary (circulation less than 100,000)
The Daily Herald: “Barry Rozner Columns.” Barry Rozner.
Post-Tribune: “By George, Crisman gets it”; “A move toward normalcy”; “The King and Bob.” Mike Hutton
The Daily Herald: “Mike Imrem Columns.” Mike Imrem.
Best News Photo (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Sun-Times: “‘Selfless’ mother laid to rest.” Ashlee Rezin.
Chicago Tribune: “Seeking comfort.” Abel Uribe.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Spring Awakening.” Ashlee Rezin.
Best News Photo (circulation less than 100,000)
The Daily Herald: “Surrounded.” Mark Welsh.
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “East Chicago lead crisis.” Jonathan Miano.
The Courier-News: “Jager Wins Silver.” Brian O’Mahoney.
Best Feature Photo (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “Transforming scars through art.” Stacey Wescott.
Chicago Tribune: “Medical marijuana in Joliet.” Stacey Wescott
Chicago Tribune: “The Next Day.” Brian Cassella.
Best Feature Photo (circulation less than 100,000)
The Courier-News: “Sledding.” Brian O’Mahoney.
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “The Lima Lima Flight Team in Gary.” Jonathan Miano.
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Munster woman gets McCartney’s autograph tattooed on arm.” Damian Rico.
Best Sports Photo (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “The chase is on.” Chris Sweda.
Chicago Tribune: “Joy in Wrigleyville.” Terrence Antonio James.
Chicago Tribune: “At Last!” Brian Cassella.
Best Sports Photo (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Cubs win!” Jonathan Miano.
Daily Southtown: “Avoiding The Tag.” Brian O’Mahoney.
The Courier-News: “Collision At Third.” Brian O’Mahoney.
Best Design (circulation more than 100,000)
Splash/Chicago Tribune: “Men.” Jessica Sedgwick.
Chicago Tribune: “Page Design — Dan Mann.” Dan Mann.
Splash/Chicago Tribune: “Women.” Jessica Sedgwick.
Best Design (circulation less than 100,000)
The Daily Herald: “Brian Shamie Designs.” Brian Shamie.
The Daily Herald: “Don Friske Designs.” Don Friske.
The Daily Herald: “Patrick Kunzer Designs.” Patrick Kunzer.
Best Technology Reporting (circulation more than 100,000)
Chicago Tribune: “Don’t write off the pen.” Becky Yerak.
Bloomberg News: “Secret Cameras Record Baltimore’s Every Move From Above.” Monte Reel.
Chicago Tribune: “Insurance on demand.” Becky Yerak.
Best Technology Reporting (circulation less than 100,000)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: “Beyond steel: High-tech manufacturing.” Joseph Pete.
General Excellence in Print Journalism
The Daily Herald: “The Daily Herald.” Staff.
Non-Daily Newspaper, Magazine or Newspaper Magazine
Best In-depth Reporting in a General-Interest Publication
Chicago Reader: “The CHA’s Supervoucher Program: A Desegregation Strategy that Never Was.”
Sports Illustrated. ”The Refrigerator’s stubborn spiral.” Rick Telander.
Chicago magazine: “The Reckoning of Marc Winner.” David Bernstein.
Best Political Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine
Evanston RoundTable: “Confusion Mars Evanston Election Process” series. Larry Gavin, Mary Gavin, Matt Simonette.
Chicago magazine: “The Rahm Whisperer.” Carol Felsenthal.
Chicago Jewish Star: “Loud mouth vs. tight lips.” Douglas Wertheimer.
Best Education Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine
Catalyst Chicago: “The Rise of Noble.” Melissa Sanchez, Kalyn Belsha.
Catalyst Chicago: “The Digital Divide.” Kalyn Belsha, Melissa Sanchez.
Chicago magazine: “Best Public Schools.” Dave McAninch, Claire Zulkey.
Best Arts Reporting and Criticism
Crain’s Chicago Business: “How Highland Park got hoodwinked by a New York theater company.” Catey Sullivan.
Chicago magazine: “Dreams, Lies, Arson, and Other Sublime Pursuits.” Joe Meno.
Chicago Reader: “At Profiles Theatre the drama—and abuse—is real.” Aimee Levitt, Christopher Piatt, Robin Amer.
Best Sports Story
The DePaulia: “Payment day: University funds for arena due next month.” DePaulia Investigation.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Chicago’s Highest-Paid Athletes.” Danny Ecker, Cassie Walker Burke, Jason McGregor.
Chicago magazine: “The New Superstar in Town.” Bryan Smith.
Best Photography
Chicago magazine: “Rites of Passage.” Alyssa Schukar.
Chicago Reader: “The residents of Rezkoville’s tent city battle the elements — and personal demons.” Lloyd DeGrane, Kari Lydersen, Danielle A. Scruggs.
Sheridan Road Magazine: “Works of Art.” Dustin O’Regan, Ann Marie Scheidler, Simon Perry, Theresa Alleva.
Best Design
Chicago magazine: “Jacqueline Cantu.” Jacqueline Cantu.
ABA Journal: “Monica Burciaga.” Monica Burciaga.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Ten Years After the Bust.” Thomas J. Linden, Jason McGregor.
Best Illustration
Chicago Reader: ”Can a lawsuit deliver justice after a fatal police shooting?”; “UNO’s records-request dodge was artless but other charter schools may try the same move”; “Emanuel lobbied feds to approve airline merger, pocketed $53,000 campaign contribution.” Bobby Simms.
ABA Journal: “Illustrations.” Stephen Webster.
Chicago magazine: “Stavros Damos.” Stavros Damos.
General Excellence in Print Journalism
Chicagoly magazine: “End Dibs”; “Addicted to the Internet”; “What May Have Been.” Joe Coughlin, Vasilis Papadrosos, staff.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Crain’s Chicago Business’ General Excellence 4-4-2016.” Newsroom staff.
Chicago magazine: “General Excellence — Chicago magazine.” Staff.
Best In-depth Reporting in a Community Newspaper
City Bureau, South Side Weekly: “Living With Lead.” Timna Axel, Bettina Chang, Darryl Holliday, Enrique Perez, Nissa Rhee, staff.
South Side Weekly: “Life, and a Death, in Mount Greenwood: A police shooting spotlights a neighborhood’s troubled racial history.” Christine Schmidt.
Windy City Times: “Mbiganyi Lashani: The life behind one of Chicago’s 500 murder victims.” Gretchen Rachel Hammond.
Best In-depth Reporting in a Business Magazine or Newspaper
Chicago Lawyer Magazine: “LaSalle Bounty: How a prosecutor’s police force turned a highway into a payday.” Roy Strom.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Ten Years After the Bust.” Dennis Rodkin, Jason McGregor, Manuel Martinez.
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Food Fraud: From Toxic Shrimp to Parmesan Wood.” Lydia Mulvany, Monte Reel, Jason Gale, Zeke Faux.
Best In-depth Reporting in a Magazine or Magazine Section
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Food Fraud: From Toxic Shrimp to Parmesan Wood.” Monte Reel, Lydia Mulvany, Jason Gale, Zeke Faux.
Chicago magazine: “Can Jerryon Stevens Be Saved?” Elly Fishman.
Modern Healthcare Magazine: “The Other Victims of Gun Violence.” Bob Herman, Tristen Korten, Modern Healthcare Staff.
Best News Column or Commentary
Chicago Reader: “On identity & culture” column: “Trump needs to keep Chicago’s name out of his mouth”; “Killing a cop is a horrible crime — but it’s not a hate crime”; “Without addressing racism, Mayor Emanuel’s violence-prevention plan will fail.” Derrick Clifton.
Best Editorial Writing
Chicago Jewish Star: “ML King; headline bias; murder city.” Douglas Wertheimer.
Evanston RoundTable: “School District 202 (Evanston Township High School) Should Adopt Higher Benchmarks for College Readiness.” Larry Gavin.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Ann Dwyer’s Editorials.” Ann Dwyer.
Best Business Reporting
Chicago magazine: “The Man with His Head in the Clouds.” Tom Chiarella.
Chicago magazine: “Mr. & Mrs. Clean.” Jeff Ruby.
Chicagoly magazine: “Soft Landing.” Zach Brooke.
Best Feature Story or Series
Chicago Health magazine: “Needles in the Cornfields: Heroin deaths are rising as state-funded treatment falls in Illinois.” Kate Silver.
Chicago magazine: “Dispatches from the Rap Wars.” Forrest Stuart as told to Elly Fishman.
Chicagoly magazine: “Shel Silverstein: Portrait Of An Artist.” Jamie Lynn Ferguson.
Best Non-deadline Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine
Rolling Stone: “Colin Kaepernick and What White Fans Don’t Understand About Black Athletes.” Evan F. Moore.
Sports Illustrated: ”The Refrigerator’s stubborn spiral.” Rick Telander.
Chicagoly magazine: “Plugged In: The Story of Internet Addiction.” Lorraine Boissoneault
Specialty/Trade
Best Deadline Report
Law360: “Hastert Gets 15 Mos. For Hiding Victim Payouts.” Diana Novak Jones.
Bloomberg News: “Trump in Chicago .” John McCormick, Tim Jones, Mario Parker, Megan Durisin.
Bloomberg News: “Boeing Said to Face SEC Probe of Dreamliner and 747 Accounting.” Julie Johnsson, Robert Schmidt, Matt Robinson.
Best In-depth Report or Series
Crain National: “Herb rush: Ballot initiatives could set marijuana business ablaze.” Jennifer Fisher, Kaitlyn Mattson, Rich Bird, Harry Gamble, Nancy Ryan, Charles Berman.
Mechanical Engineering magazine: “Disrupting the Grid.” Kari Lydersen, Dan Ferber, Frank Famularo.
Modern Healthcare magazine: “Collateral Damage.” Steven Ross Johnson.
Best Commentary
Better Government Association: “Best commentary: Andy Shaw.” Andy Shaw.
Hospitals & Health Networks: “The Future of Emergency Care.” Ian Morrison.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: “Deferring to a higher power: Knowing how to mesh state court, high court”; “Supreme Court lets light shine on flaws with eyewitness testimony”; “Juvenile justice long time coming but maybe Illinois bill can lead way.” Timothy O’Neill.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
Bloomberg News: “America’s Changing Tastes.” Leslie Patton, Lydia Mulvany, Megan Durisin.
ABA Journal: “Killer Calculations.” Victor Li, Edwin Reeser, Reginald Davis.
Modern Healthcare: “Survey dissatisfaction.” Howard Wolinsky.
Best Feature Story or Series
Bloomberg News: “The Car-Emissions Sleuth Who’s Costing Chrysler $5 Billion.” John Lippert, Jeff Plungis.
Hospitals & Health Networks: “The Opioid Epidemic.” Marty Stempniak.
ABA Journal: “Bail’s Failings.” Lorelei Laird, Kevin Davis.
Best Design
ABA Journal: “Bob Fernandez.” Bob Fernandez.
Hospitals & Health Networks: “The Opioid Epidemic.” Chuck Lazar.
Broadcast: Radio
Best Breaking News Story
Illinois Radio Network/WTAX: “Rauner backtracks on transparency promise for new economic agency.” John Gregory.
WGN Radio AM 720: “Donald Trump’s UIC Pavilion Rally Canceled.” Roe Conn, Anna Davlantes, Ryan Burrow, Patti Vasquez, Richard Roeper.
Best Sports Story
WBEZ: “At Wrigley On The Day After, Many Focus On Family And Memories.” Dan Weissmann.
NPR (National Public Radio): “Chicago Cubs Fans Celebrate First World Series Win in 108 years.” Cheryl Corley.
Best In-depth News Story or Series
WBEZ: “At Indiana Gun Shows, Some Welcome Stricter Background Checks.” Michael Puente, Derek John.
WBEZ: “Caught In The Middle.” Staff.
NPR (National Public Radio): “The Driving Life and Death of Philando Castile.” Cheryl Corley, Eyder Peralta.
Best Investigative Reporting
WBEZ: “Police Data Cast Doubt On Chicago-Style Stop-And-Frisk.” Chip Mitchell.
Best Reporter
WBEZ: Chip Mitchell.
WGN Radio AM 720: Ryan Burrow.
NPR (National Public Radio): Cheryl Corley.
Best Feature Reporting
WBEZ: “Sudden Move: Father And Son Join Rising Number Of Forced Evictions In Cook County.” Patrick Smith.
NPR (National Public Radio): “50th Anniversary of Open Housing Chicago effort.” Cheryl Corley.
WBEZ: “Not Since ’98: Relatives Reflect On Chicago Gun Violence Then And Now.” Miles Bryan, Patrick Smith.
Best Public Affairs Programming
WBEZ: “Heat of the Moment.” Staff.
The 21st: “Illinois’s Budget Crisis.” Niala Boodhoo, Scott Cameron, Christine Herman, Jason Croft, Steve Morck.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
WGN Radio AM 720: “Steve Bertrand Bites into the Business of Cranberries.” Steve Bertrand, Michael Heidemann.
Best Health or Science Reporting
WBEZ: “Excruciating Choice: Trading Parental Custody For Mental Health Care.” Shannon Heffernan.
WBEZ: “Removing Gang Tattoos ‘A Life And Death Thing.’” Linda Paul, Cate Cahan, Ken Davis.
NPR (National Public Radio): “Lead in Water” series. Cheryl Corley.
Broadcast: Television
Best Spot News Story
NBC5 Chicago: “Trump: The Chicago Rally.” Staff.
NBC5 Chicago: “Dennis Hastert Sentencing.” Staff.
NBC5 Chicago: “Fire on Flight 383.” Staff.
Best In-depth News Story or Series
WSNS Telemundo Chicago: “Fentanilo: Pariente Mortal De La Heroína.” Miriam López Salinas, Alejandro Escalona, Alfonso Gutiérrez, Casey Mitchell, Mario Bernal, Diana Maldonado.
NBC5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago: “Deadly Pursuit / Persecuciones Mortales.” Staff.
WFLD-TV: “Dying for the High.” Elizabeth Matthews, Edward Bartlett, Michael Schatz, Scott Warren.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
NBC5 Chicago: “NBC 5 Responds.” Lisa Parker, Robin Green, Ronald Zachara.
WSNS Telemundo Chicago: “Telemundo Chicago Responde: Trasplant patient asks for help.” Zully Ramirez, Raul Quiñones, Sylvia Barragan, Diana Maldonado, Marcela Santana.
WLS-TV: “No Avocado?” Leah Hope, Joe Imbrogno, Robin Dallafior.
Best Health or Science Reporting
Univision Chicago: “Heroin Crisis Coverage.” Jessica Fernandez, Enrique Rodriguez, Felipe Martinez, Univision Staff.
Best News Specialty/Arts/Culture/Entertainment News (Feature or Series)
WGN-TV: “The Evolution of Protest.” Yolanda Joe, Tonya Francisco, Vicky Thomas.
WLS-TV: “Weekender.” Roz Varon, Michael O’Reilley.
Univision Chicago: “Chicago Artists.” Erika Maldonado, Sam Vega.
Best News Specialty/Business/Consumer News (Feature or Series)
WLS-TV: “Chicago Auto Show.” Roz Varon, Joseph Imbrogno, M. Dartise Johnson, Robin Dallafior.
NBC5 Chicago: “Furniture Fiasco Series.” Lisa Parker, Robin Green, Ronald Zachara.
Investigative Reporting
Better Government Association/Fox 32: “Video Shows Off-Duty McCook Cop In Casino Brawl.” Robert Herguth, Dane Placko.
NBC5 Chicago: “Code of Silence.” Phil Rogers, Katy Smyser, Courtney Copenhagen, Rich Moy, Zach Christman, Julio Martinez.
Better Government Association/CBS2: “Chicago Cop Lied, Stays On The Job.” Andrew Schroedter, Pam Zekman.
Best On-Camera Talent
WTTW-11: Paris Schutz
WBBM-TV2: Jeremy Ross
Best Feature News Report
The Associated Press: “Young Shooting Victim Won’t Let Injury Stop Him.” Martha Irvine
The Associated Press: “Ben’s Voice.” Martha Irvine.
WLS-TV Chicago: “IDOT Minutemen.” Roz Varon, Irit Nayden.
Best Public Affairs Programming
WGN-TV: “The Evolution of Protest.” Yolanda Joe, Tonya Francisco, Vicky Thomas.
Univision Chicago: “Trabajando en el Infierno.” Center for Investigative Reporting staff, Jessica Fernandez, Adriana Cardona, Felipe Martinez, Arturo Lizalde, Teri Arvesu.
The Medill Justice Project: “MJP-TV: Season One.” Staff.
Best News Specialty/Crime News
Univision Chicago: “Gage Park Massacre.” Staff.
WTTW-11: “Savage Life.” Brandis Friedman, Roy Alan, Tom Siegel.
WLS-TV: “The Legacy of Laquan McDonald.” Leah Hope, Joe Imbrogno, Mahreon Dartise Johnson, John Silvey, Sarah Burke, Jamie Zahn.
Best News Specialty/Education/Schools News
WTTW-11: “Education Funding Reform in Illinois.” Brandis Friedman.
NBC5 Chicago: “A Problem Teacher.” Phil Rogers, Katy Smyser, Courtney Copenhagen, Sydney Alman, Zach Christman, Matt Love.
Best News Specialty/Environment News
WBBM-TV2: “Lakefront Trail Fail.” Lana Hinshaw-Klann, Jeremy Ross.
NBC5 Chicago: “Cell Towers at Schools.” Phil Rogers, Katy Smyser, Rich Moy, Nathan Halder, Raza Siddiqui, Julio Martinez.
Best News Specialty/Health/Science News
NBC5 Chicago: “Burn Notice.” Lisa Parker, Robin Green, Mark Ringo, Richard Moy.
WLS-TV: “Breaking the Cycle of Violence with Mental Health Care.” Leah Hope, James Mastri, Annie Esp.
Best News Specialty/Human Interest
Univision Chicago: “El Paletero.” Staff.
WTTW-11: “SAVE: Sheriff’s Anti-Violence Effort.” Brandis Friedman, Julianne Hill, Roy Alan, Dave Moyer, Juan Carranza, Tim Boyd.
NBC5 Chicago: “The Trial of Bonnie Liltz.” Staff.
Best News Specialty/Politics/Government News
Univision Chicago: “Politifact.” Teri Arvesu, Mariano Gielis, Jose Aguilar, Ivan Garcia, Diego Guirado, Politifact Staff.
NBC5 Chicago: “Land of the Lost.” Phil Rogers, Katy Smyser, Courtney Copenhagen, Rich Moy, Julio Martinez, Matt Love.
NBC5 Chicago: “NBC 5 Investigates: Selling Citizenship?” Chris Coffey, Julio Martinez, Mike Adams, Tony Vitale.
Best News Specialty/Religious
Univision Chicago: “Pope in Mexico Coverage.” Jessica Fernandez, Enrique Rodriguez, Jorge Rodas.
WLS-TV: “Westside/West Suburban Worship with Purpose.” Leah Hope, Rich Quinones, Mike O’Reilley.
WLS-TV: “Evening Of Service.” Roz Varon, Michael Maher, Irit Nayden.
Best Video Journalist
The Associated Press: “Ben’s Voice.” Martha Irvine.
Online
Best Multimedia Feature Presentation
Chicago Tribune: “Tavon Tanner, a bullet, and what happened on the streets of Chicago.” E. Jason Wambsgans.
The Associated Press: “Beyond the Bullet.” Sharon Cohen, Martha Irvine, Charles Rex Arbogast
illinoispolicy.org: “Just reward: How the past haunts one Illinois mother searching for a second chance.” Austin Berg, Charlie Fritschner.
Best Breaking News Story
Chicago Tribune: “Memorial Day violence.” Chicago Tribune staff.
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Sun-Times owner buys 16.5% stake in Tribune Publishing.” Peter Frost, John Pletz.
Best Neighborhood/Community News
City Bureau
DNAinfo Chicago
Loop North News
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
Chicago Sun-Times: ”Food trucks breaking the rules.” Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Sun-Times; Jason Knowles & Ann Pistone, ABC7 Chicago.
Bloomberg Businessweek: “The Fake Factory That Pumped Out Real Money.” Mario Parker, Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Bryan Gruley.
Better Government Association: “Tax series: Illinois awash in tax breaks/Chicago bag tax is about green — but which kind?” Alejandra Cancino.
Best Feature Story or Series
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Secret Cameras Record Baltimore’s Every Move From Above.” Monte Reel.
Chicago Sun-Times: “Life on a ledge.” Frank Main.
Bloomberg Businessweek: “American Pharoah’s Second Life as a $200k-a-Night Stud.” Monte Reel.
Best Investigative/Public Service Reporting
Better Government Association: “Video gambling in Illinois: Public golf courses get in on the game, while groups give money to politicians” series. Casey Toner.
Better Government Association/Sun-Times: “Pension and payroll in Illinois” series. Staff.
The Guardian online: “Homeless but Employed: The Chicago Restaurant Workers Living Under a Bridge.” Kari Lydersen, Lloyd DeGrane, Nicole Flatow.
Best Use of News Video
The Medill Justice Project: “Death Denied: Sword of Damocles.” Allisha Azlan.
Illinois Policy: “When Second Chances Come First.” Austin Berg, Charlie Fritschner.
The Daily Herald: “Survivor recalls Fairview tornado.” Brian Hill, Paul Valade.
Best Use of Features Video
Chicago Tribune: “Suffering in secret: Deron Hardge.” John J. Kim.
The Associated Press: “Ben’s Voice.” Martha Irvine, Roque Ruiz.
Chicago Tribune: “Chicago mothers transformed by tragedy.” Chris Walker.
Best Use of Digital Technology
City Bureau: “Chicago Tracker Project.” City Bureau Staff, Invisible Institute Staff.
DNAinfo Chicago: “DNAinfo Chicago’s Train Seating Series.” Tanveer Ali.
Better Government Association: “Chicago payroll packed with six-figure salaries.” Katie Drews, Jared Rutecki.
General Excellence in Online Journalism
Chicago magazine
Chicago Tribune
Crain’s Chicago Business
Best News Web Site
Chicago Tribune
Better Government Association
Best Photo
Chronicle Media: “Polar Express now boarding in Chicago area for family holiday fun.” Karie Angell Luc.
DNAinfo Chicago: “Veterans Volunteer for Vietnam War Memorial.” Kelly Bauer.
Chicago magazine: “Joy in Wrigleyville.” Max Herman.
Best New Podcast
Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest: “We are better together.” Sarah Rand, Charles Meyerson.
The Medill Justice Project: “Death Denied: Episodes Four, Five and Epilogue.” Fallon Schlossman.
Chicago Tribune: “Chewing with Louisa Chu and Monica Eng.” Louisa Chu, Monica Eng.
Best Podcast
thedistance.com: “The Distance.” Wailin Wong, Shaun Hildner.
ABAJournal.com: “The Modern Law Library.” Lee Rawles.
The Medill Justice Project: “Death Denied: Episodes Four, Five and Epilogue.” Fallon Schlossman.
Best Podcast Single Episode
The Medill Justice Project and Life of the Law: “Shaken.” Staff.
Injustice Watch: “Behind the Wall.” Robert Andersson, Francine Sanders.
thedistance.com: “Junk in the Trunk.” Wailin Wong, Shaun Hildner.
Best Individual Blog Post (independent)
illinoispolicy.org: Blogs by Austin Berg.
illinoispolicy.org: Blogs by Amy Korte.
Huffington Post: Blogs by Hilary Gowins.
Best Individual Blog (affiliated)
illinoispolicy.org: Blogs by Austin Berg
Reboot Illinois: “Fake news, fake politicians, real election.” Madeleine Doubek.
Better Government Association: “Investigator’s Notebook.” Casey Toner.
Best Continuing Blog (independent)
ChicagoNow: Blogs by Austin Berg.
Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists: “Ethics On Call.” Casey Bukro.
illinoispolicy.org: “Blogs on information privacy and technology issues, Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act.” Amy Korte.
Best Continuing Blog (affiliated)
illinoispolicy.org: Blogs by Joe Kaiser.
Better Government Association: “Investigator’s Notebook.” Jared Rutecki, Casey Toner, Katie Drews.
The Chicago Reporter: “Stop and Frisk, Gun Violence, Roseland Mental Health Clinic.” Curtis Black.
Best Deadline Reporting
Chicago Tribune: “Family found slain in Gage Park home.” Lolly Bowean, Tony Briscoe, Peter Nickeas, Jeremy Gorner, Annie Sweeney, Liam Ford.
Bloomberg News: “The Incredible Rise and Final Hours of Fracking King Aubrey McClendon.” Bryan Gruley, Joe Carroll, Asjylyn Loder.
DNAinfo Chicago: “Chicago’s Most Dangerous Block Plagued By Drugs, Shootings And Murder.” Tanveer Ali, Kelly Bauer.
Best Non-Deadline Reporting
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Djibouti is Hot: How a forgotten sandlot of a country became a hub of international power games.” Monte Reel
Bloomberg Businessweek: “The Fake Factory That Pumped Out Real Money.” Mario Parker, Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Bryan Gruley.
Chicago Sun-Times: ”Life on a ledge.” Frank Main.
Best Series (Non-deadline Reporting)
City Bureau: “Changing Chatham.” Vidura Jang Bahadur, Maria Cardona, Adeshina Emmanuel, Bea Malsky, Latricia Polk, staff.
Injustice Watch: “Unequal Treatment.” Staff.
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Food Fraud: From Toxic Shrimp to Parmesan Wood.” Lydia Mulvany, Monte Reel, Jason Gale, Zeke Faux.