Best Clip

FIRST: Catherine Ann Velasco, Joliet, Herald News, "Inside Sandburg"

JUDGES' COMMENTS:
The reporter did an excellent job of digging up details that show what happens at an alternative school. Excellent writing provided readers with a clear understanding of what teachers and students face each day. The message was important for all parents.

SECOND: Nick Reiher, Joliet, Herald News, "A dying breed"

JUDGES' COMMENTS:
Want to read a story about urban sprawl? If you're not too excited, then read this story. The reporter did an excellent job of showing how growth can effect a family. Not only did this story detail the impact of growth on a farm family but it illuminated the history of the properties involved.
This is an important subject for many circulation areas and this story provides an excellent guide for reporters to follow.

THIRD: Dann Gire, The Daily Herald, "A cigarette saves a life"

JUDGES' COMMENTS:
We have no doubt this story was read from start to finish by readers who came across it. The quotes are great and never stop. They pull the reader through a package that also reflects great reporting. The writer did not let his own creative juices get in the way - he just let his source tell the story. The story was short but powerful and could not be ignored because of the impact of its message on what happened on Sept. 11.

FIRST: Chuck Cass, The St. Charles Sun, "Made in the USA"

JUDGES' COMMENTS:
This photo of a woman making a flag was poster material. The lighting and color quality made this a stand-out photo that was properly given large display. This was a feel good photo. Readers had to love it.

SECOND: Michael Schmidt, Waukegan, The News Sun, "Missed it"

JUDGES' COMMENTS:
This photo shows why photographers love taking sports shots. The quality and detail in this photo did a great job of capturing a single play at a Chicago Bears game. You see the missed ball clearly and then can easily check out all the players involved and also see what their mission was on this particular play.

THIRD: Tom Sistak, Daily Times, "Caught"

JUDGES' COMMENTS:
This photo of an arrest was an eye-catcher. And the more you study the photo the more you see and wonder: Are all those people surrounding the suspect police officers?

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