Here are the finalists for the 2018 Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism. Winners will be announced May 10, 2019 at the Union League Club of Chicago. Tickets for the ceremony are now available on Eventbrite.
Questions? Email awards@headlineclub.org. Congratulations to the finalists!
WATCHDOG AWARD
“Betrayed,” Chicago Tribune, Staff
“Recycling in Chicago,” Better Government Association, Madison Hopkins
“Taking Cover,” Better Government Association/WBEZ, Casey Toner (BGA), Jared Rutecki (BGA) & Patrick Smith (WBEZ)
BEST ALL MEDIA
Best Deadline Reporting
Chicago Tribune, “Shooting of Cmdr. Paul Bauer,” Chicago Tribune staff.
Chicago Sun-Times/suntimes.com: “Chaos after Chicago Police Shoot Harith Augustus — a story in tweets and video,” Nader Issa.
Chicago Tribune, “Mayor Rahm Emanuel Declines 2019 Run,” Chicago Tribune staff.
Best Investigative Reporting
ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ, “Driven into Debt,” Melissa Sanchez, Elliott Ramos.
ProPublica Illinois, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Hundreds of Immigrant Children and Teens Housed in Opaque Network of Chicago-area Shelters,” Jodi S. Cohen, Duaa Eldeib, Melissa Sanchez.
The Chicago Reporter, “Solitary Confinement of Juveniles on the Rise in Cook County,” Jonah Newman.
Best Feature Story
Chicago Tribune, “ ‘I had to see my son be put in a body bag.’ Frankfort mom shows 8th-graders the heartbreaking aftermath of heroin overdose,” Heidi Stevens.
ProPublica Illinois, “We Will Keep on Fighting for Him,” Jodi S. Cohen, Logan Jaffe.
Chicago magazine, “A Second City,” Nissa Rhee.
Best Feature Series
Invisible Institute / The Intercept, “The Chicago Police Files,” Jamie Kalven, Rob Arthur, Andrew Fan, Sam Stecklow.
WBEZ Chicago Public Media and The Chicago Tribune, “16 Shots,” WBEZ staff, Chicago Tribune staff.
WTVP-TV, “A Golden Cross to Bear: A Story of the 33rd Division in World War I,” Kane Farabaugh, Roger Amm, Jon Kassell, Moss Bresnahan.
Best Short Film Documentary
The Associated Press, “Peace Warriors,” Martha Irvine.
Best Photography
The Associated Press, “Peace Warriors,” Martha Irvine, Andrew Harnik.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “40 under 40,” John R. Boehm, Stephen J. Serio.
Chicago Tribune, “Jalen’s journey,” E. Jason Wambsgans.
Best Multimedia Collaboration
The Chicago Reporter, “Women in Prison Punished More Harshly Than Men Around the Country,” Kari Lydersen, Jessica Pupovac.
Injustice Watch, PBS News Hour, Capital News Service, “Trading Away Justice,” Mari Cohen (Injustice Watch), Rosie Kean (Capital News Service), Abigail Blachman (Injustice Watch), Rick Tulsky (Injustice Watch), John Yang (PBS News Hour).
WBEZ and Chicago Tribune, “16 Shots,” WBEZ staff, Chicago Tribune staff.
Best Editorial Cartoon
Chicago Tribune, Editorial Cartoons, Scott Stantis.
Best Graphics
Better Government Association, Patrick Judge.
Crain’s Chicago Business, Karen Freese.
Crain’s Chicago Business, Jason McGregor.
Best Illustration
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Woman Up: The Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business,” Karen Freese, Adam Cruft.
ProPublica Illinois, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” Lydia Fu.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Buck’s Not Stopping,” Nigel Buchanan, Thomas J. Linden.
Best Data Journalism
Better Government Association/WBEZ, “Taking Cover: How Cops Escape Discipline for Shootings in Suburban Chicago,” Jared Rutecki, Casey Toner, Patrick Smith, Patrick Judge.
Pinckneyville Press, “On the Hook” series, Ian Karbal.
ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ, “Driven into Debt,” Melissa Sanchez, Elliott Ramos, David Eads, Sandhya Kambhampati.
GENERAL INTEREST DAILY NEWSPAPER, NEWS SERVICE OR BUREAU
Best Deadline Reporting, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Tribune, “Shooting of Cmdr. Paul Bauer,” Chicago Tribune staff.
Chicago Tribune, “Mayor Rahm Emanuel Declines 2019 Run,” Chicago Tribune staff.
Chicago Tribune, “Sears Files for Bankruptcy,” Lauren Zumbach, Ryan Ori, Robert Channick, Mary Wisniewski.
Best Deadline Reporting, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “Students March Against Guns,” Staff.
The Times Media Co., “Fatal Apartment Fire in Gary,” Joseph S. Pete.
The Times of Northwest Indiana, “Lake Ridge School Board Fires Teacher’s Aide After Police Say They Found Hundreds of Sexually Explicit Photos of Boys in His Home,” Lauren Cross.
Best Investigative Reporting, circulation more than 100,000
The Chicago Tribune, “Chicago’s (Un)Affordable Housing,” Gregory Pratt, Jeff Coen.
The Chicago Tribune, “Betrayed: Chicago schools fail to protect students from sexual abuse and assault, leaving lasting damage,” David Jackson, Jennifer Smith Richards, Gary Marx, Juan Perez.
Chicago Sun-Times, “How a West Side Bust Led the Feds to El Chapo,” Frank Main.
Best Investigative Reporting, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “Ethics Investigations of the Illinois Tollway,” Marni Pyke.
Daily Southtown, “Records Show Issues at Harvey Jail Led to Escapes,” Zak Koeske.
The Times of Northwest Indiana, “Despite Owing Restitution, Contractor Convicted in ‘Sidewalk 6’ Corruption Case Still Lands Contracts with East Chicago,” Lauren Cross.
Best Political and Government Reporting, circulation more than 100,000
Bloomberg News, “Inside the Midterms,” John McCormick, Arit John, David Ingold, Chloe Whiteaker, Bill Allison.
Chicago Tribune, “Unsolved: 75 Shot,” Jeremy Gorner, Annie Sweeney, Will Lee, Madeline Buckley, Rosemary Sobol, Armando Sanchez.
Chicago Tribune, Illinois Governor Candidate Finances,” Todd Lighty, David Heinzmann.
Best Political and Government Reporting, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “Sheriff Boots Prisoner Rehab Program,” Justin Kmitch.
Rockford Register Star, “Trapped in Blight,” Isaac Guerrero.
The Times Media Co., “The Difficulty of Prosecuting Drug Dealers,” Giles Bruce.
Best Education Reporting, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, “CPS’ dirty secret,” Lauren FitzPatrick.
Chicago Sun-Times, “From Myanmar to Chicago — a Teenage Rohingya Muslim Refugee’s Journey,” Aditi Malhotra.
Chicago Sun-Times, “What’s a Mother to Do,” Lauren FitzPatrick.
Best Education Reporting, circulation less than 100,000
Crain’s Chicago Business, “The Brain Drain” series, Lynne Marek.
The Daily Herald, “Suburban Education Lab” series, Madhu Krishnamurthy.
Daily Southtown, “D103 ‘failed to investigate’ teacher; Teacher Charged with Attempted Murder Passed Criminal, Background Checks,” Zak Koeske.
Best Science, Health or Environment Reporting, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Tribune, “Sterigenics,” Michael Hawthorne.
Chicago Tribune, “Abortion Access in Illinois Amid the Restrictive Midwest,” Angie Leventis.
Chicago Tribune, “Allergies, Epipens and Schools,” Lisa Schencker.
Best Science, Health or Environment Reporting, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “Naloxone Use in the Suburbs,” Marie Wilson.
The Times Media Co., “Unintentional Victims of the Opioid Epidemic,” Giles Bruce.
The Times of Northwest Indiana,” HUD: East Chicago Disregarded HUD Policies, Failed to Evaluate, Remove Contamination for Housing Projects in Superfund Site,” Lauren Cross.
Best News Column or Commentary, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, Stefano Esposito.
Chicago Tribune, Dahleen Glanton.
Chicago Tribune, Heidi Stevens.
Best News Column or Commentary, circulation less than 100,000
Daily Southtown, Donna Vickroy.
The Daily Herald, Burt Constable.
The Daily Herald, Jim Slusher.
Best Editorial Writing, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, Editorial Board.
Chicago Tribune, Michael Lev.
Best Editorial Writing, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, Diane Dungey.
The Daily Herald, Editorial Board.
The Times Media Co., Marc Chase.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, “Bridgeport Bank Mystery,” Tim Novak, Robert Herguth.
Chicago Sun-Times, “’Daley Pension Debacle: Where Did $54 Million Go?,” Tim Novak.
Chicago Tribune, “Lofty promises, unsafe housing: Nonprofit got loans. Lawyers got paid. Buildings got neglected,” Joe Mahr.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting, circulation less than 100,000
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Opportunity Zones Arrive in Chicago” series, Danny Ecker.
Best Feature Story or Series, circulation more than 100,000
The Associated Press, “Death and Disappearance in Indian Country,” Sharon Cohen, David Goldman, Mary Hudetz.
Chicago Tribune, Chicago Seven Trial Diary, Mary Schmich.
Chicago Sun-Times, “‘What We Lost,” Sam Charles, Alexandra Arriaga, Manny Ramos, Yvonne Kim.
Best Feature Story or Series, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “Last Kiss,” John Lampinen.
The Daily Herald, “One Man’s Life in Elgin’s ‘Tent City’,” Elena Ferrarin, Rick West.
Rockford Register Star, “Minding the Gap,” Adam Poulisse.
Best Arts Reporting and Criticism, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Tribune, “Was Kerry James Marshall’s Public Library Painting Too Valuable To Stay In A Library?,” Steven Johnson.
Chicago Tribune, “Chicago’s Transformation,” Blair Kamin.
Best Arts Reporting and Criticism, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, Dann Gire’s reviews, Dann Gire.
Best Sports Story, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Tribune, “Absence of Answers. The James Jordan murder.,” Dan Wiederer.
Chicago Tribune, “The Bears Take 12,000 Pounds of Equipment with Them When They Travel. Meet the Guys Who Move It,” Rich Campbell.
Chicago Tribune, “On the Road with Loyola: Ramblers Making the Most of Life as a Mid-major,” Teddy Greenstein.
Best Sports Story, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “How Football Saved Dylan Czerlanis,” Patricia Babcock-McGraw.
Rockford Register Star, “A Twin Tall Tale,” Matt Trowbridge.
Rockford Register Star, “The Accidental Champion,” Matt Trowbridge.
Best Sports Commentary, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, Adam Jahns.
Chicago Sun-Times, Rick Telander.
Chicago Tribune, Steve Rosenbloom.
Best Sports Commentary, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, Barry Rozner Columns, Barry Rozner.
The Daily Herald, Bruce Miles Columns, Bruce Miles.
Post-Tribune, “LaPorte Football Coach Tries to Figure Out How to Grieve the Loss of His Infant Son,” Mike Hutton.
Best News Photo, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, “10 Children Die in Fire during Sleepover in Little Village,” Ashlee Rezin.
Chicago Tribune, “Daughter’s Funeral,” E. Jason Wambsgans.
Chicago Sun-Times, “One More Death in a Bloody Weekend in Chicago,” Ashlee Rezin.
Best News Photo, circulation less than 100,000
Rockford Register Star, “Gunfire Halts Football Game,” Arturo Fernandez.
The Times of Northwest Indiana, “Black Lives Matter,” Lauren Cross.
Rockford Register Star, “Daring rescue,” Arturo Fernandez.
Best Feature Photo, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Tribune, “Blue Line High Five,” Brian Cassella.
Chicago Tribune, “Oasis of Peace,” Erin Hooley.
Chicago Tribune, “Halloween City Council,” José M. Osorio.
Best Feature Photo, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “First-day High-fives,” Rick West.
The Daily Herald, “Centennial Birthday Surprise,” Rick West.
Best Sports Photo, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Tribune, “Cool Celebration,” Brian Cassella.
Chicago Tribune, “Wrigley Field Snow,” Brian Cassella.
Chicago Tribune, “Laver Cup Victory,” Chris Sweda.
Best Sports Photo, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, “Soccer scramble,” Patrick Kunzer.
The Daily Herald, “Goal!,” Bev Horne.
Best Design, circulation more than 100,000
Chicago Sun-Times, Bryan Barker.
Chicago Sun-Times, Eric White.
Best Design, circulation less than 100,000
The Daily Herald, Amanda Erd.
The Daily Herald, Neil Holdway.
The Daily Herald, Patrick Kunzer.
Best Technology reporting, circulation more than 100,000
Bloomberg News, “Even the Crash-test Dummies are Putting on Weight,” Bryan Gruley.
Chicago Tribune, “Does A.I. Mean the End of the Resume?,” Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz.
Chicago Tribune, “Abortion via iPad,” Angie Leventis.
General Excellence in Print Journalism
Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune staff.
NON-DAILY NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE OR NEWSPAPER MAGAZINE SECTION
Best In-depth Reporting in a General-Interest Publication – Magazine or Magazine Section
In These Times magazine, “The Visa Loophole That Big Ag Construction Firms Love to Exploit,” Steve Franklin, Kari Lydersen, Jessica Villagomez, Eunice Wang, Kristine Sherred, Joseph Bullington.
Chicago Tribune print edition, Pioneer Press, print publications, Chicago Tribune’s webpages, “Line of Duty: Firefighters and Cancer,” Karen Cullotta, Stacey Wescott, Raquel Zaldivar.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “In Withdrawal: Treating the Babies of the Illinois’ Opioid Crisis,” Kristen Schorsch, Manuel Martinez, Jason McGregor.
Best In-depth Reporting in a Community Newspaper
Glenview Announcements, “When using village credit cards, Glenview officials often fail to properly track meal purchases, records show,” Alexandra Kukulka.
South Side Weekly and 90 Days, 90 Voices, “La Vida de La Villita,” Nissa Rhee, Sarah Conway, Alex Hernandez, Dan Rowell, Ellen Hao, Adam Przybyl.
South Side Weekly, “God’s Little Acres,” Emeline Posner.
Best In-depth Reporting in a Business Magazine or Newspaper
Bloomberg Businessweek, “Boeing is Killing it by Squeezing its Suppliers,” Julie Johnsson, Peter Robison.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “The Opioid Series,” Kristen Schorsch, Manuel Martinez, Jason McGregor.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “The Fall of a Hometown Treasure,” Brigid Sweeney.
Best News Column or Commentary
Crain’s Chicago Business, Series on the politics in the Cubs neighborhood, Greg Hinz.
Southwest News Newspaper Group (Des Plaines Valley News, Southwest News-Herald, The Regional Newspaper, The Reporter Newspaper, “Pretend Interview with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel,” Ray Hanania.
Best Editorial Writing
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Bleeding Heart Conservatives,” Ann Dwyer.
Best Business Reporting
Bloomberg Businessweek, “How China’s 36th Best Car Company Saved Volvo,” Bryan Gruley.
Bloomberg Businessweek, “This Nursing Home Operator Thinks He Can Save Minnesota Mining,” Matt Robinson, Bryan Gruley.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Hard Knocks,” Steve Daniels.
Best Feature Story
City Bureau/Chicago magazine, “After Unthinkable Loss,” Sarah Conway, Sebastian Hidalgo.
Bloomberg Businessweek, “Sister Cities of Immigration,” Monte Reel.
Oprah magazine, “Save Our Skin: Sunscreen is struggling with a major diversity problem …” Deborah Douglas.
Best Feature Series
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Woman Up,” Editorial Board.
South Side Weekly, “The History and Future of Bail Reform” series, Kiran Misra.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Can the DuSable Museum be Saved?,” Lisa Bertagnoli.
Best Non-deadline Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine
ABA Journal, “The Job is Killing Them,” Lorelei Laird.
Bloomberg Businessweek, “Sister Cities of Immigration,” Monte Reel.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “The Opioid Series,” Kristen Schorsch.
Best Political Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine
Bloomberg Businessweek, “Everybody Loves AMLO. Except Big Business,” Nacha Cattan, Monte Reel.
Crain’s Chicago Business, Series on the politics in the Cubs neighborhood,” Greg Hinz.
South Side Weekly, “Cognitive Dissidence,” Christian Belanger.
Best Education Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine
Crain’s Chicago Business, The Brain Drain series, Lynne Marek.
South Side Weekly, “Losing Harper High School,” Eleanore Catolico.
South Side Weekly, “Why is CPS Closing NTA?,” Daniel Moattar.
Best Arts Reporting and Criticism
Chicago Reader, “Chicago label Still Music rescues decades of house history from a south-side storage locker,” Leor Galil, Kris Lori, Philip Montoro.
Chicago Reader, “What ever happened to the King Memorial Mural at 43rd and Langley?,” Jeff Huebner.
South Side Weekly, “Bringing Jazz Back to the Alley,” Bridget Vaughn, Kyle Oleksiuk.
Best Sports Story
Chicago Reader, “Icing Racism: Black Hockey Players Excel on Ice Despite History of Racism, Lack of Rinks in Chicago,” Evan F. Moore.
The Hockey News, “ ‘94 Forever – The Making of NHL ’94: An Oral History,” Sal Barry.
Best Photography
City Bureau/Chicago Reader, “These candid photos capture how seniors are growing communities—while growing older—on the south side,” Pat Nabong.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “40 under 40,” John R. Boehm, Stephen J. Serio.
The Chicago Tribune Media Group – Pioneer Press Newspapers, Prep Sports Coverage for the Pioneer Press Newspapers, Brian O’Mahoney.
Best Design
Crain’s Chicago Business, Karen Freese.
Crain’s Chicago Business, Jason McGregor.
Crain’s Chicago Business, Thomas J. Linden.
Best Illustration
ABA Journal, Sara Wadford.
General Excellence in Print Journalism
Crain’s Chicago Business, Staff.
BROADCAST: RADIO
Best Breaking News Story
WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM, “No Mercy,” Staff.
WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM, “The Murder of Cmdr. Paul Bauer,” Staff.
WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM, “The Jason Van Dyke Verdict,” Staff.
Best In-depth News Story or Series
WBEZ Chicago Public Media, “A Generation of School Closings,” WBEZ Education and Digital Staff.
WBEZ Chicago Public Media and the Better Government Association, “An American Suburb,” WBEZ Staff, BGA Staff.
WGN Radio, “Bridge Over Lead Water: The Crisis That Connects Us,” Dometi Pongo.
Best Reporter
WBEZ, Miles Bryan.
WGN, Ryan Burow.
WBEZ, Michael Puente.
Best Newscast
Chicago Public Square.
WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM, 9 p.m. newscasts, Mariam Sobh, WBBM Staff.
Best Feature Reporting
National Public Radio (NPR), ” ‘Me, Too,’ In the Air,” David Schaper.
WBEZ, “Retired Homicide Detective Builds a Family of Foster Kids,”Richard Steele, Bill Healy, Sofi LaLonde, Cate Cahan.
WBEZ, “Curious City: What Officials Are(n’t) Doing About Chicago’s Lead Pipes,” Monica Eng, Alexandra Salomon.
Best Public Affairs Programming
WBEZ Chicago Public Media & Chicago Tribune, “16 Shots,” WBEZ Staff, Chicago Tribune Staff.
WBEZ Chicago Public Media, “Curious City: How Pollution Seeped into the Lives of East Chicago Residents,” Kevin Stark, Katherine Nagasawa, Jesse Dukes, Olivia Richardson, Bashirah Mack, Alexandra Salomon.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
WBEZ, “Hoosier Hysteria! Indiana Welcomes Sunday Beer Sales!” Michael Puente, Annie Russell.
National Public Radio (NPR), “The Growing Impact of E-Commerce,” David Schaper.
Best Health or Science Reporting
WBEZ, “Chicago’s Black Communities Hit Hardest In Opioid Overdoses,” Lakeidra Chavis, Rob Wildeboer.
WBEZ, “Shedd’s Mobile Aquarium Brings Fishy Delight to Altgeld Gardens,” Linda Paul, Cate Cahan, Ken Davis.
Best Sports Story
WGN, “Soccer in America,” Ryan Burrow.
WBEZ, “Mascot Hall of Fame,” Michael Puente, Annie Russell.
TELEVISION
Best In-depth News Story or Series
WAND TV, “Rx for Failure,” Doug Wolfe, Andy Barker.
WTVP-TV, “A Golden Cross to Bear: A Story of the 33rd Division in World War I,” Kane Farabaugh, Roger Amm, Jon Kassell, Randy Gaulke, David Mumper, Christopher McDonald.
Best On-Camera Talent
WBBM-TV2, Jeremy Ross.
WLS-TV, Roz Varon.
Best Feature News Report
The Associated Press, “The Art of Unity,” Martha Irvine.
WLS-TV, “What’s Driving You Crazy?,” Roz Varon, Irit Nayden, Joseph Imbrogno, Richard Hillengas.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
WLS-TV, “Chicago Auto Show,” Roz Varon, Paul Laschinski, James McIntyre, Paul Martinez.
Best Health or Science Reporting
WFLD-TV FOX 32 Chicago, “Fighting for Dental Care,” Natalie Bomke, D Gresham, Mike Wojcik.
Best Sports Story/Single News Story or Feature
WBBM-TV2, “Hold Your Breath,” Jeremy Ross, Don Stanke.
Best News Specialty/Arts/Culture/Entertainment News – Feature or Series
WTTW “Chicago Tonight,” “Photographer’s ‘Scream Sessions’ Aim to Challenge Stereotypes.” Nicole Cardos.
WTTW, “Art & Design in Chicago,” Daniel Andries, Dan Soles, Liz Reeves, Paul Thornton, Kaitlynn Scannell, Shonna Pryor.
Best News Specialty/Business/Consumer News – Feature or Series
Voice of America TV, “Between Trade Agreements and Tariffs,” Kane Farabaugh.
Best News Specialty/Crime News
NBC5 Chicago/Better Government Association, “Emanuel Decries Police Code of Silence, But City-Paid Expert Says It Doesn’t Exist,” Phil Rogers, Casey Toner, Katy Smyser.
Best News Specialty/Education/Schools News
WAND TV, “A Second Chance at Life,” Doug Wolfe, Andy Barker, Gordon Voit.
WTTW, “FAFSA Verification an ‘Unfair Burden’ on Low-Income Students,” Brandis Friedman.
Best News Specialty/Environment News
WAND TV, “Endangered River,” Doug Wolfe, Andy Barker.
Best News Specialty/Health/Science News
WGN-TV, “Black Women and Infertility,” Tonya Francisco, Brad Piper.
Best News Specialty/Human Interest
ABC 7 Chicago, “Anthony’s Halloween,” Jesse Kirsch, Jennifer Hoppenstedt.
WAND TV, “On Target – Blind shooter,” Doug Wolfe, Steve Nichols.
Voice of America TV, “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Build Homes, Hope, Legacy with Habitat for Humanity,” Kane Farabaugh.
Best News Specialty/Politics/Government News
NBC5/Telemundo Chicago/Better Government Association, “Taxpayer Tab for Chicago-area #MeToo Cases $55 Million and Growing,” Phil Rogers, Hilda Gutierrez, Jared Rutecki, Katy Smyser.
Voice of America TV, “Faith in Freedom: The Journey of the First Muslim American Women in the U.S. Congress,” Kane Farabaugh.
WTTW “Chicago Tonight,” “The Choice for Governor: A WTTW News Special,” Nick Blumberg, Paris Schutz, Amanda Vinicky.
Best News Specialty/Religious
Voice of America TV, “Tahera’s American Hijab,” Kane Farabaugh.
Best News Specialty/Weather News
WBBM-TV2, “Saved from Shivering,” Jeremy Ross.
Best Video Journalist
Voice of America TV, Kane Farabaugh.
SPECIALTY/TRADE
Best Deadline Report
Law360, “Mayer Brown Appellate Chief Shot to Death at Illinois Home,” Diana Novak Jones.
Bloomberg News, “IBM Chases Amazon into the Cloud,” Ed Hammond, Kiel Porter, Alex Barinka, Gerritt De Vynck.
Bloomberg News, “Starbucks Pumps the Brakes,” Leslie Patton.
Best In-depth Report or Series
Bloomberg News, “Tales from the Trade-War Front,” Mario Parker, Shruti Singh, Isis Almeida.
Energy News Network, “Foresight Energy Mines Publicly-owned Coal; and Who Suffers,” Kari Lydersen.
South Side Weekly and 90 Days, 90 Voices, “La Vida de La Villita,” Nissa Rhee, Sarah Conway, Alex Hernandez, Dan Rowell, Ellen Hao, Adam Przybyl.
Best Commentary
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “Criminal Procedure,” Timothy P. O’Neill.
Better Government Association, David Greising columns, David Greising.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
Bloomberg News, “Tales from the Trade-War Front,” Mario Parker, Shruti Singh, Isis Almeida.
Bloomberg News, “The Changing Landscape for American Food,” Lydia Mulvany, Leslie Patton, Shruti Singh, Kiel Porter, Mario Parker, Andrew Martin.
Chicago Lawyer magazine, “The Mask,” Paul Dailing.
Best Feature Story or Series
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “Not Getting the Green Light,” Sarah Mansur.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “The ‘People’s Lawyers’,” David Thomas.
The Crisis (magazine of the NAACP), “Moving Monuments: Memphis activist Tami Sawyer is on a mission,” Deborah Douglas.
Best Design
ABA Journal, Brenan Sharp.
ABA Journal, Sara Wadford.
American Libraries, Rebecca Lomax.
ONLINE
Best Multimedia Feature Presentation
The Chicago Tribune, “BETRAYED: Chicago Schools Fail to Protect Students from Sexual Abuse and Assault, Leaving Lasting Damage,” David Jackson, Jennifer Smith Richards, Gary Marx, Juan Perez, Jonathon Berlin, Brian Cassella.
ProPublica Illinois, “We Will Keep on Fighting for Him,” Jodi S. Cohen, Logan Jaffe, Rob Weychert.
Chicago Tribune, “50 years ago, Chicago’s West Side Burned after MLK’s Death. Some Neighborhoods Never Recovered.,” Tony Briscoe, Ese Olumhense, Terrence Antonio James, Marianne Mather, Chad Yoder, Ryan Marx.
Best News Website
Better Government Association, bettergov.org, Patrick Judge, Sol Lieberman.
Block Club Chicago, blockclubchicago.org, Staff.
Crain’s Chicago Business, chicagobusiness.com, Staff.
Best Individual Blog Post – Independent
Literate Ape, “For the Love of Little Broken Things: A Chicago Hairstylist Emerges Stronger After Fire,” David Himmel.
MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Mission: Interrupted: “Finishing MLK’s work requires grassroots organizations to be proactive, not reactive, says activist Bree Newsome,” Deborah Douglas.
ChicagoNow.com (“Mom, I think I’m Poignant”), “John McCain: Telling the Truth Isn’t Necessarily Speaking Ill of the Dead,” Bonnie McGrath.
Best Individual Blog Post – Affiliated
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Is Chicago biz ready for the post-Emanuel storm?,” Greg Hinz.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “In H2Q, Amazon Saw Its Future and Followed It to NYC and DC,” John Pletz.
ProPublica Illinois, “PoliticIL Insider,” Mick Dumke.
Best Continuing Blog – Independent
Fooditor.com, “Chicago Food Stories,” Michael Gebert.
The Chicago Ambassador, Bob Chiarito.
ChicagoNow, “I’ve Got the Hippy Shales,” Howard Moore.
Best Continuing Blog – Affiliated
beachwoodreporter.com, “White Sox Report,” Roger Wallenstein.
ProPublica Illinois, “PoliticIL Insider,” Mick Dumke.
WGN Radio, Adam Hoge’s Bears Blog, Adam Hoge.
Best Deadline Reporting
Chicago Tribune, “Verdict in Jason Van Dyke trial,” Staff.
Chicago Tribune, “Mayor Rahm Emanuel Declines 2019 Run,” Staff.
Chicago Tribune, “Shooting of Cmdr. Paul Bauer,” Staff.
Best Non-deadline Reporting
Better Government Association/WBEZ, “How Dolton, Illinois Reflects America’s Changing Suburbs,” Casey Toner, Miles Bryan, Sebastian Hidalgo.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “In Withdrawal: Treating the Babies of the Illinois’ Opioid Crisis; The Opioid Treatment Gap,” Kristen Schorsch, Manuel Martinez, Jason McGregor.
Chicago Tribune, “Mold, leaking pipes and vagrants in the hall: Inside one charity’s ‘model’ low-income housing in Chicago,” Joe Mahr, Jemal Brinson, Kyle Bentle, Jose Osorio, Randi Shaffer.
Best Series – Non-deadline Reporting
Chicago Tribune, “75 shot: Examining Chicago Police Clearance Rates for the Most Violent Weekend of 2018,” Annie Sweeney, Jeremy Gorner, Madeline Buckley, William Lee.
ProPublica Illinois, “Stuck Kids,” Duaa Eldeib.
Better Government Association/WBEZ, “Trapped,” Alejandra Cancino, Odette Yousef.
Best Breaking News Story
Block Club Chicago, “Police Defend Use Of ‘Bait Trucks’ On Chicago’s South Side: ‘No One Touches It, No One Gets Locked Up,’ Officer Says,” Block Club Chicago Staff, Stephanie Lulay.
Chicago Tribune, “Verdict in Jason Van Dyke trial ,” Staff.
Chicago Tribune, “Mass Shooting at Mercy Hospital,” Staff.
Best Neighborhood/Community News
Loop North News, Steven Dahlman.
Best Business or Consumer Reporting
Crain’s Chicago Business, “In Withdrawal: Treating the Babies of the Illinois’ Opioid Crisis; The Opioid Treatment Gap,” Kristen Schorsch, Manuel Martinez, Jason McGregor.
Chicago Sun-Times, “Daley pension debacle: Where did $54 million go?,” Tim Novak.
The Chicago Reporter, “Alternative Energy Scams Hit Poor Blacks and Latinos the Hardest, Complaints Show,” La Risa Lynch.
Best Feature Story or Series
ProPublica Illinois, “We Will Keep on Fighting for Him,” Jodi S. Cohen, Logan Jaffe.
Chicago magazine,” A Second City,” Nissa Rhee.
Chicago Tribune, “Jalen’s Journey: Paralyzed by a Bullet Meant for Someone Else, a 12-year-old Boy Searches for a ‘New Normal’,” Peter Nickeas, E. Jason Wambsgans, Kyle Bentle, Jemal Brinson, Jonathon Berlin, Chad Yoder.
Best Investigative/Public Service Reporting
Better Government Association/WBEZ, “Taking Cover: How Cops Escape Discipline for Shootings in Suburban Chicago,” Jared Rutecki, Casey Toner, Patrick Smith, Patrick Judge.
Chicago Tribune, “BETRAYED: Chicago Schools Fail to Protect Students from Sexual Abuse and Assault, Leaving Lasting Damage,” David Jackson, jennifer Smith Richards, Gary Marx, Juan Perez, Jonathon Berlin, Brian Cassella.
ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ, “Driven into Debt,” Melissa Sanchez, Elliott Ramos.
Best Use of News Video
Chicago Sun-Times, “’How a West Side Bust Led the Feds to El Chapo,” Frank Main, Marcus DiPaola
Chicago Sun-Times, suntimes.com, “With CPS Set to Close 4 South Side Schools, Questions on Community Support,” Lauren FitzPatrick, Marcus DiPaola.
Chicago Tribune, “Jalen’s Journey: Paralyzed by a Bullet Meant for Someone Else, a 12-year-old Boy Searches for a ‘New Normal’,” E. Jason Wambsgans.
Best Use of Features Video
Chicago Tribune, “So Chicago: Hidden Places and Extraordinary Stories,” Chris Walker.
Chicago Tribune, “Oasis of Peace,” Erin Hooley.
ProPublica Illinois, “Going Bankrupt Over Ticket Debt in Chicago,” Katie Campbell, Lucas Waldron.
Best Use of Digital Technology
Better Government Association, “As Tons of Chicago Recycling Go to Dumps, a Private Firm is Paid Twice,” Madison Hopkins, Patrick Judge.
Better Government Association/WBEZ, “Taking Cover: Every Police Shooting We Tracked,” Jared Rutecki, Casey Toner, Patrick Judge.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Illinois Contagion,” Jason McGregor, Lynne Marek.
Best Start-up
Block Club Chicago, blockclubchicago.org, Staff.
Chalkbeat Chicago, chalkbeat.org, Cassie Walker Burke, Adeshina Emmanuel, Yana Kunichoff, Sharon Noguchi.
Best Photo
Better Government Association/WBEZ, “How Dolton, Illinois Reflects America’s Changing Suburbs,” Sebastian Hidalgo.
Chicago Tribune, “Jalen’s journey,” E. Jason Wambsgans.
Crain’s Chicago Business, “20 in Their 20s,” Manuel Martinez.
Best New Podcast
South Side Weekly Radio, “The Narratives of Robeson High School,” Erisa Apantaku, Olivia Obineme, Bridget Vaughn, Bridget Newsham.
Chicago Tribune, “From the Midway,” Colleen Connolly, Randi Shaffer.
WBEZ and Chicago Tribune, “16 Shots,” WBEZ Staff, Chicago Tribune staff.
Best Podcast
Rivet (on Stitcher), “Innovating … Chicago Style!,” Jesse Betend.
WGN Radio, “The Mincing Rascals,” John Williams, Steve Bertrand, Eric Zorn, Scott Stantis, Patti Vasquez, Justin Kaufmann.
Chicago Public Square, Charlie Meyerson.
Best Podcast Single Episode
The Chicago Reporter, “When Chicago Closed Her Kids’ School, She Decided to Fight Back,” Kalyn Belsha, Bill Healy.
Rivet (on Stitcher), “Life After It’s Over,” Jesse Betend.
General Excellence in Online Journalism
Better Government Association, bettergov.org, Patrick Judge, Sol Lieberman.
The Chicago Reporter, chicagoreporter.com, Staff.
ProPublica Illinois, propublica.org/illinois, Staff.