The Northern Illinois News Association (NINA) is pleased to announce its new president John Lampinen and the addition of journalists Madhu Krishnamurthy and Julie Mann to its board of directors.

Lampinen recently retired as Editor of the Daily Herald Media Group and Senior Vice President of its parent company Paddock Publications. He has been a member of the NINA board since 2021. Mann is the Public Information Officer for Kane County Government and Krishnamurthy is Diversity Editor and Assistant City Editor for the Daily Herald.

A native of Waukegan and graduate of the University of Illinois, Lampinen devoted virtually his entire career to the Arlington Heights-based Daily Herald. He began there as a reporter and moved up the ranks at the news organization, where he was named Executive Editor in 1998 and Editor in 2001, retiring at the end of 2021. He has won numerous honors, including the Chicago Headline Club’s Ethics in Journalism Award.  In 2019, he was inducted into the prestigious Lincoln League of Journalists by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors and last year, he was presented by the Illinois Press Association with its James C. Craven Freedom of the Press Award for his lifelong commitment to the principles of a free and open press.

“I am pleased to welcome Julie and Madhu to our board,” said Lampinen. “Julie's broadcast experience and Madhu's association work and diversified news coverage will be great assets to our board.  I am confident they will strengthen our efforts in solidifying our position as an advocate for journalism in northern Illinois.” 

“This is a year or recalibration for NINA,” Lampinen said. “In 2022, we revised our name – the Northern Illinois News Association.  In 2023, we want to focus on what that means. Journalism is re-imagining itself in exciting ways but it also is under threat in various ways that threaten the health of the democracy. As an organization, how can we promote good journalism in northern Illinois and what can we do help strengthen the practice of that journalism and the credibility that is essential to its impact?”

Mann has worked over three decades as an award-winning journalist in the City of Chicago and suburbs as an anchor and managing editor of WBBM Newsradio. In 2021, she accepted her position with Kane Country Government where she serves as liaison for local and national media on behalf of the County and promotes awareness of the County’s mission programs, policies, and initiatives.  

She is a graduate of Drake University and St. Charles High School, where she was honored with the Alumni of the Year in 2015.   She was named one of the 10 Most Powerful Women in Chicago Journalism in 2014, 2017, and 2019.

At the Daily Herald, Krishnamurthy previously was an Education Writer covering suburban K-12 school districts, community colleges, and universities. In her 22 years with the Daily Herald, she has covered stories on a variety of issues and topics, including human interest, local government, health, politics, religion, and diversity. She joined the Daily Herald in 2000 covering the Northwest, North and Western suburbs. 

She chairs the Editorial Diversity Committee whose goals are to broaden employees' understanding of the various cultures represented within and reflect the diversity of the communities the Daily Herald Media Group serves through its news products. Madhu has done extensive work covering issues facing the Muslim, Arab, Black, Latino and Hindu communities in the suburbs.

Krishnamurthy is past president of the Chicago Headline Club, the largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and an adjunct faculty member of Columbia College Chicago. She received the University of Central Oklahoma's 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award.

NINA recently changed its name and adopted a new vision statement to reflect the organization’s growth and goals for the future - “We aim to be the leading advocate in northern Illinois for reliable and factual local journalism - teaching what it is, celebrating its achievements, spreading its virtues and defending its role in society.” 

NINA board officers include: John Lampinen, president, Cristi Kempf, first vice president; Jim Killam, second vice president; Dan Campana, treasurer; Pat Szpekowski, immediate past president; Jason Akst, executive secretary; and Shelley Hendricks, communication coordinator; and NINA board members Sharon Boehlefeld; Margarita Mendoza; Rick Nagel, Roger Ruthart; and Penny Wiegert.

About NINA

Founded in 1962 to promote the newspapers of Northern Illinois, NINA develops programs and workshops to enhance the profession and recognizes journalistic achievements through a prestigious annual contest. NINA’s ties with Northern Illinois University extend to its beginnings when it was founded by Dr. Donald Grubb, long-time chairman of the university’s journalism department. NINA remains affiliated with the Communication Department, which now houses NIU’s journalism programs. Members are located throughout Northern Illinois and include individuals, newspapers, magazines, online publications, radio and television.

For membership information, contact Shelley Hendricks at shendricks@niu.edu.