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Winners of awards in the 2021 Best of the Press editorial contest pose for a photo Aug. 12 at the end of this year's annual convention at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield. (Photo by Sarah Rogers for Illinois Press Association)
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ top newspapers were honored today at the Illinois Press Association’s virtual convention. Nearly 100 daily and nondaily newspapers competed in 40 editorial categories.
The Alabama Press Association judged the more than 1,725 editorial entries for work done in 2021.
The Chicago Sun-Times won the Stuart R. Paddock Memorial Sweepstakes Trophy for large dailies.
The Sweepstakes Trophies are awarded to newspapers earning the most points in five different circulation divisions. Points are awarded for first place through honorable mention in most contest categories, including general excellence, photography, news writing, opinion writing, design, community service and editorial page.
Runner-up for the Paddock Trophy was the The News-Gazette of Champaign. In third place was the Daily Herald Group in Arlington Heights.
In the small daily newspaper category, The Pantagraph of Bloomington took top honors. It was awarded the Patrick Coburn Award of Excellence Trophy. The Daily Chronicle of DeKalb claimed second place, and The Telegraph of Alton placed third.
In the large, nondaily newspaper category, The Hinsdalean of Hinsdale claimed the Will Loomis Memorial Trophy. The Journal-News of Hillsboro received second place. The Republic-Times of Waterloo received third place.
The Mabel S. Shaw Memorial Trophy is awarded to a medium-sized nondaily newspaper. The winner this year was The Woodstock Independent. Second place went to the Cass County Star-Gazette of Beardstown. And in third place was Downers Grove Suburban Life.
The Ford County Chronicle in Paxton claimed ownership of the David B. Kramer Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the best small, nondaily newspaper in Illinois. The Oakland Independent received second place. And the third-place award was won by the Panhandle Press in Raymond.
The Illinois Press Association also named a statewide Editor of the Year and Reporter of the Year for a third consecutive convention. The Editor of the Year is Misty Knisley, formerly editor of The Daily Journal in Kankakee. The Reporter of the Year is Brenda Schory of the Kane County Chronicle.
Click here to view the 2022 Best of the Press edition.
(From left) Will Brumleve, Dan Brumleve and Andrew Rosten pose with the David B. Kramer Memorial Trophy won by the Ford County Chronicle in the Division A editorial contest sweepstakes Aug. 12. (Photo by Sarah Rogers for Illinois Press Association)
(From left) Ken Farver, Cheryl Wormley and Larry Lough of The Woodstock Independent pose with the Mabel S. Shaw Memorial Trophy after their newspaper won the Division B sweepstakes in the IPA editorial content on Aug. 12. (Photo by Sarah Rogers for Illinois Press Association)
Misty Knisley, former editor of the Daily Journal in Kankakee, receives her Editor of the Year Award from Illinois Press Foundation Executive Director Jeff Rogers during the IPA/IPF convention Aug. 12 in Springfield. (Photo by Taylor Leddin-McMaster of the Daily Journal)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2025 Contact Information: Ride Illinois Dave Simmons, executive director (630) 216-9282 dave@rideillinois.org
Illinois Bike & Walk Summit coming to Springfield
Creating Connected Livable Thriving communities: Illinois Bike & Walk Summit Fosters Learning and Lobbying Among Advocates and Practitioners
Ride Illinois and its partner organizations are pleased to announce the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. Three hundred advocates, professionals, and public officials will gather in Springfield (May 7-8, 2025) for an important conference to help shape the future of biking and walking across the state. The conference will take place over two days in Springfield. Day One - May 7 ● A welcome from Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher ● Breakout sessions with topics including: ○ Completing the Great American Rail Trail ○ Developing Low-Stress Bike Networks ○ Bike/walk legislation at the state and federal level: 2025 and beyond ● Keynote Speaker: Tom Flood ○ A bold and visionary advocate who uses striking design and messaging to challenge car-centric culture, and a champion spokesman of safer streets for all. ○ Flood's Presentation Topic: Reframing Road Safety. This presentation will highlight his work and its importance in challenging the narrative around active transportation and road safety.
Day Two - May 8 ● Lobby Day ● Workshops focused on: ○ Advocacy training ○ Trail development ○ Best practices for the planning, design, and incorporation of complete streets into transportation projects. ○ CM and PDH credits available. Dave Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, emphasized the new format of lobbying and advocacy: “It’s important that elected officials hear from their constituents. Lobby Day is an opportunity for Illinois residents to voice their concerns related to biking and walking in their community.” The legislative goals of Lobby Day include advocating for bills that will increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher shared, “I am honored to greet attendees to the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. I look forward to the summit and also look forward to making Springfield a more bike/walk friendly community.” With a strong foundation built on the educational and empowering sessions of day one, the day of lobbying will bring a buzz to Springfield with the hope of creating safer, more accessible active transportation options for all ages and backgrounds. The end goal being that active transportation becomes a viable and welcoming choice for everyone. Conference Details ● Illinois Bike & Walk Summit to convene in Springfield, May 7-8 with a focus on creating connected, livable, thriving communities. ● Highlights of the event include: ○ Keynote speaker Tom Flood ○ Inaugural lobby day ○ Breakout sessions ○ Workshops ○ Networking opportunities ● The 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit will take place at the Wyndham Springfield City Center, conveniently located in the heart of Illinois’ state capital. ● Registration for the conference starts at the affordable price of $20! ● For more information and to register for this event, visit IllinoisBikeWalkSummit.org.
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