The Chicago Headline Club took home three top honors at the Society of Professional Journalists‘ 2025 MediaFest, which took place in Washington, D.C., Oct. 15 to 18.
The trio of 2025 awards includes:
- Large Chapter of the Year
- Circle of Excellence Award
- Sunshine Award
“The Chicago Headline Club is honored to receive those awards. They reflect the work of so many people — past and present — who have helped make the Headline Club what it is today,” said Chicago Headline Club President Jeff Arnold. “From FOIA Fest and the Chicago Media Career Fair to our scholarship programs and advocacy efforts, this recognition represents years of consistent, collaborative work and shared purpose. That work is more important than ever in the challenging times, not just for journalists, but for First Amendment rights in general, and we appreciate everyone who’s been with us along the way.”
As the 2025 Large Chapter of the Year, the Headline Club was recognized for “supporting the Society’s mission, members, and the journalism profession.”
The Circle of Excellence Award is bestowed upon large and small chapters in five categories. This year, the Chicago Headline Club was the large chapter winner in the “First Amendment and Freedom of Information” category.
The Headline Club is “cementing Chicago’s place as a national hub for open-government training,” according to the SPJ, through two special events this year:
- “FOIA Fest, with 165 attendees, 14 sessions, 52 speakers, and resources published online, the festival gave journalists and the public practical tools to use transparency laws,” SPJ stated.
- Chicago Journalism Wellness and Resource Forum, which “spotlighted Pulitzer Prize-winning keynote speakers and drew support from foundations investing in watchdog reporting.”
Finally, the Chicago Headline Club was one of the three winners of the 2025 Sunshine Award, which “honors individuals and organizations for their significant contributions in open government.”
The Club was recognized for “programming, advocacy and recognition of open-government reporting” that “have strengthened awareness and accountability in Chicago and beyond.”
“Transparency is essential to democracy, and these awardees have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to fighting for the public’s right to know,” said SPJ National President Emily Bloch. “Their work embodies the spirit of the Sunshine Award and reminds us that accountability journalism and open records advocacy can change communities — and lives.”