The Daily Herald in Arlington Heights has restructured its newsroom and interactive department, according to Publisher Doug Ray “to more fully integrate print and online content.” Kurt Gessler was named managing editor for online news. Madeleine Doubek was named executive editor. Kelly Bolyard was named director of digital development and continues in her role as head of online sales and classified advertising. Mark Stallings is manager of digital operations and Philippe Hall is now manager of digital technology.

    Karen Walker was promoted to advertising director at the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. She has served in various advertising roles there since 1989.

    Christi Persing has joined the staff of the Union Banner in Carlyle as a reporter.

    New publishers were named at The State Journal-Register in Springfield and the Rockford Register-Star after Scott Bowers vacated the post at both newspapers to pursue personal interests. In Rockford, Peter Ricker was named publisher. He is a long-time advertising executive. In Springfield, Walt Lafferty was named to the top post. He previously was a newspaper executive in New Jersey.

    Lauren Rees is the new education reporter at The Register-Mail in Galesburg. She succeeds Chris Mouzakitis.
    Elyse Russo was promoted to features editor. Chris Essig joined the newspaper as a police and court reporter.

    Chelsea Peck was named associate editor at the Chillicothe Times-Bulletin. She is a recent graduate of Illinois State University.

    Paul Osborne, publisher of the Decatur Tribune, was named Citizen of the Year in Decatur. He formerly was mayor.

    Dylan Polk was promoted to sports editor at The Courier in Lincoln. Nicole Harbour joined the staff as a reporter.

    J.C. “Cooper” Cunningham, publisher of The Sumner Press, celebrated his 90th birthday. He has published the paper for about 20 years.

    Bridget Lash has joined the staff of The Leader-Union in Vandalia as a sales representative.

    Andrew Richards has joined the reporting staff at the Rantoul Press. He succeeds Debra Rawlings.

    Nick Monico was promoted to regional vice president, western region, for GateHouse Media. He succeeds long-time executive Scott Champion.

    Ellen O’Malley was named editor of the Rochelle News-Leader. She previously was an advertising representative.

    Wisconsin native Andrew Brunner is now a full-time reporter at The Galena Gazette. He previously interned at the newspaper.

    Marylee Steinwehe has retired from The Woodstock Independent after a decade. She was press release editor, but Publisher Cheryl Wormley noted that her role there was much more.

    Tina Ketter was named editor of the Ogle County Life in Oregon. She previously was office manager.

    Nancy Koeneman is now editor of the Piatt County Journal-Republican in Monticello. She succeeds Michelle Hansen. Koeneman previously worked at newspapers in Hinsdale and Ottawa.

    Two local women have taken the editorial reins at the Norris City Banner. Abbie Short and Chelsea Merritt, each working part-time, succeed editor Junalie Nelson.

    Anne Ardapple is the new editor at the Whiteside News Sentinel in Morrison. She began working in the newspaper’s office last year.

    Cele Smith has retired from her carrier route at the Peoria Journal Star after 11 years. Columnist Phil Luciano speculated that at age 87, Smith may be the oldest-ever carrier in the city.

    Michael Gilbert is the new editor of The Tinley Junction in Tinley Park. He succeeds Joseph Coughlin.

    Long-time Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert was honored in June with a Webby Award by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

    James Tyree, head of the investment group that owns Sun-Times Media, was honored by Ernst & Young LLP with a lifetime achievement award. He was recognized for his work in building Mesirow Financial into a unique, independent and employee-owned firm.

    Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, announced its selections for Journalist of the Year. Named were Kevin McDermott, Springfield bureau chief for the St. Louis Dispatch, and the late Ron Ingram of the Decatur Herald & Review.
    At Illinois State University, two reporters were named to the Coaches Association Hall of Fame. They are Dennis Mahoney of Pioneer Press, Chicago, and Larry Watts, former sports editor at Pioneer Press.

    Dave Bundy was named interim publisher of the St. Louis-area Suburban Journals. He succeeds Tom Wiley, who is now publisher of the New Have, Conn., Register.