Awards won by The Chicago Reporter since its founding in 1972.
1974
The Chicago Reporter – Michelle Clark Award for race relations reporting, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
1975
The Chicago Reporter – The James Brown IV Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service, Chicago Community Trust. Special mention of reporter Irene McCullough’s analysis of police statistics, “Murder in Chicago: Homicide Rate Zooms But There Are Few Interracial Killings,” May 1974
1978
The Chicago Reporter – James P. McGuire Award, Illinois Division of the American Civil Liberties Union.
1979
Stories on the high fire death rate and Chicago Fire Department problems, by Sharon B. Gelder – Peter Lisagor Award; Stick-O-Type for public service.
Stories on infant mortality, by Nancy Fischer Schulte – Unity in Media Award, Lincoln University; Stick-O-Type Award for investigative reporting.
1980
“City’s Low-interest Home Loans Bypass Minority Communities; Blacks, Latinos Buy In White Area, Secure One-third of Loans,” by Tom Brune and Lawrence J. Tell – Jacob Scher Award for investigative reporting.
“Attack On Cook County Hospital Threat To Chicago’s Poor,” by Alfredo S. Lanier, Peter Lisagor Award.
“The Chicago Reporter’s 1979 Annual Corporate Survey,” by Lawrence J. Tell – Stick-O-Type Award for business reporting.
Editorial on Chicago race relations by John A. McDermott – Stick-O-Type Award.
The Chicago Reporter – National Mass Media Medallion Award, National Conference of Christians & Jews.
1981
Ronni Scheier, health care reporter – Helen Cody Baker Award for Public Service, Social Service Communicators, Inc.; Ray Bruner Science Writing Fellowship Award, American Public Health Association.
1982
“Godfather in the Ghetto: State Lottery Win Bet On Minority Gamblers,” by Kevin Blackistone and Ronni Scheier – Special Recognition Award, National Association of Black Journalists.
“Crisis Management: City Paramedics Must Gamble With Out-of-District Runs; Areas Left Unprotected While New Ambulances Sit Idle,” by James Ylisela, Jr. – Stick-O-Type Award for investigative reporting.
Stories on abortion issues for minorities and the poor, by Ronni Scheier – Excellence in Journalism Award, Illinois Pro-Choice Alliance.
The Chicago Reporter – Thomas & Eleanor Wright Award, City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations; Outstanding Public Service Award, Chicago Association of Black Journalists.
1983
“Top Firms’ Minority Employment Drops Again, But Purchasing Up,” by Joanna Brown – Stick-O-Type Award for business reporting.
1984
“Education at South Shore High: A $4.5 Million Flop,” by Ann Grimes and Laura S. Washington – National Award for Education Reporting, Education Writers Association; Peter Lisagor Award; Stick-O-Type Award.
“Gallant Voice for Justice Loses Battle Against Despair,” Laura S. Washington and Cassiette A. West – Peter Lisagor Award.
“Public Teachers Pick Private Schools For Own Kids,” by Ann Grimes – Stick-O-Type Award.
“Race & Poverty in Chicago,” by Tom Brune, Eduardo Camacho, Ronnie Scheier and Willie Cole – Peter Lisagor Award; Stick-O-Type Award for best series.
“Full Service – Less Service,” by Laura S. Washington and James Ylisela, Jr. – Jacob Scher Award for investigative reporting.
“Dumpers Swamp City’s Southeast Side With Noxious, Toxic Waste,” by Ben Joravsky – Stick-O-Type Award for investigative reporting.
The Chicago Reporter – Public Service Award, Chicago Association of Black Journalists.
1985
Stories on The Woodlawn Organization and racial violence and harassment by Kevin Blackistone – Stick-O-Type Award for investigative reporting
“Hispanics in Chicago,” by Jorge Casuso and Eduardo Camacho – Community Service Award for Excellence in Reporting, Chicago Community Trust.
1986
“Asbestos in CHA Apartments Poses Possible Health Hazards,” by Martha Allen – Jacob Scher Award for investigative reporting.
1987
“Race in Chicago, What’s Ahead?” by John Schrag and Ben Joravsky – Stick-O-Type Award for series.
1988
“Enrollment Down, Taxes Up at Chicago City Colleges,” by Jean Franczyk and Valerie Phillips – Peter Lisagor Award for public service reporting.
1989
The Chicago Reporter – Annual Award In Recognition Of Excellence Of Achievement In Publishing Arts, Chicago Women In Publishing.
1991
“City Balks as Billboards Overrun Poor Areas,” by Laurie Abraham – Peter Lisagor Award for public service reporting; Clarion Award, Women in Communications; Print Media Award, Chicago Association of Black Journalists.
“Sick and Poor In Chicago,” by Laurie Abraham – Clarion Award, Women in Communications.
“West Side Loses in Clout City,” by Laura S. Washington and Curtis Lawrence – Clarion Award, Women in Communications.
“Eighty Percent of Chicago Area Recruits are Minorities,” by Rachel Jones – Clarion Award, Women in Communications.
“State Budget Crisis Leaves Terminal Care for the Poor hanging in the Balance,” by Rachel L. Jones – Award of Excellence, National Hospice Organization.
The Chicago Reporter – 18th Annual Award In Recognition of Excellence of Achievement In Publishing Arts, Chicago Women In Publishing; Harold Washington Award, Independent Voters of Illinois.
Laura S. Washington – Kizzy Image and Achievement Award, Black Women Hall of Fame Foundation; “America’s Up & Coming Business and Professional Women,” Dollars and Sense magazine.
1992
“Troubled Courts, Troubled Kids,” by Laurie Abraham – Gavel Award and Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association.
Series of stories on Commonwealth Edison’s treatment of poor and minority neighborhoods, by James Ylisela, Jr., Lisa Capitanini and Ted Pearson – Peter Lisagor Award.
“Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Epidemic in Minority Communities,” by Lisa Capitanini – Chicago Women in Publishing Award.
“Housing in Chicago,” by Curtis Lawrence and Lisa Capitanini – Communication Award, Archdiocese of Chicago.
“State Budget Crisis Leaves Terminal Care for the Poor Hanging in the Balance,” by Rachel Jones – Communication Award, Archdiocese of Chicago.
1993
“New Police Plan Faces Obstacles,” by Thomas Corfman – Local Public Affairs News Award, Inland Press Association.
“’Just Say No’ Program Says ‘Yes’ to Public Funds,” by Muriel Whetstone – Peter Lisagor Award.
Thomas Corfman – Public Affairs Award, Asian American Bar Association.
Laura S. Washington – American Pluralism Award, Illinois Ethnic Coalition.
1994
“Beyond Chicago,” a series about Chicago’s suburbs by Paul Cuadros, Paul Caine, Ray Quintanilla, Helena Sundman, and Sharon McGowan – Local Public Affairs Award, Inland Press Association; Sigma Delta Chi Award, Society of Professional Journalists.
“The Cost of Racism,” by a joint effort by The Reporter and WTTW/Channel 11 – Ohio State Award, Ohio State University; Peter Lisagor Award; award from National Association of Black Journalists; Peter Lisagor for Best Newsletter.
“The Dream that Died,” an investigation of a federal housing subsidy program by Paul Caine – Peter Lisagor Award; award from National Association of Black Journalists.
“Failure to Communicate,” a report on the lack of translators at hospital by Ruth Richman – Communications Award, Archdiocese of Chicago.
The Chicago Reporter – Unity Award for Investigative Reporting, Lincoln University, for “the coverage of minority issues.”
1995
“The Wrong Side of the Track,” a story on the poor living conditions at Arlington International Racecourse by Danielle Gordon – Sigma Delta Chi Award, Society of Professional Journalists; Peter Lisagor Award; Local Public Affairs First Prize Award, Inland Press Association; Clarion Award, Women in Communications.
“The Pulse of Reform,” a series on health care reform by Paul Cuadros – Primary Care Journalism Award, Pew Charitable Trust.
“Trading Type for Bites,” by Mary Abowd – Award for Excellence in Journalism, Chicago Association of Black Journalists.
“State Neglects Cook County’s Poor Kids,” by Natalie Pardo – Communication Award, Archdiocese of Chicago.
Laura S. Washington – Matrix Award for Outstanding Achievement in Communications, Women in Communications.
1996
“Voter Registration: Too Good to be True,” by Burney Simpson – Journalism Award, National Press Club; Unity Award, Lincoln University.
“Republican Judges: The New Minority,” by Rekha Balu – Special Recognition Award, Chicago Council of Lawyers; Herman Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association.
Series on lead poisoning at the Chicago Housing Authority, by Natalie Pardo, Medal for Meritorious Journalism, Casey Foundation.
1997
“Death Comes by Accident in Poor, Black Neighborhoods,” by Brian Rogal – Ray Bruner Science Writing Award, American Public Health Association; Unity Award, Lincoln University; Salute to Excellence Award, National Association of Black Journalists.
“Republican Judges: The New Minority,” by Rehka Balu – Herman Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association.
Series on lead poisoning at the Chicago Housing Authority, by Natalie Pardo – Peter Lisagor Award.
Laura S. Washington – Racial Justice Award, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Media Advocacy Award, Illinois Association of Non-Profit Organizations.
1998
Series on sexual abuse of minority women and children by Natalie Pardo – Local Public Affairs News Award, Inland Press Association; Communications Award, Archdiocese of Chicago;
“Zoned Out,” an investigation into Chicago Empowerment Zones, by Burney Simpson – National Headliner Award, The Press Club of Atlantic City
“Chicago Matters: What’s Working?” a series that included “Invisible Jobless” and an investigation of the Immigration and Naturalization Service by Danielle Gordon, and “Zoned Out,” by Burney Simpson – Award for Excellence in Writing, Chicago Women in Publishing.
Laura S. Washington – Bernadine C. Washington Human Relations Award, Chicago Commission on Human Relations
1999
“Chicago Matters: Our Region, Our Community,” Clarion Award for Magazine Series, Association for Women in Communications; two Peter Lisagor Awards.
“Sex Abuse Cases Decline, but Blacks Still Main Victims,” by Natalie Pardo – Peter Lisagor Award; Unity Award in Media, Lincoln University.
“Evanston, Oak Park Struggle to Keep Racial Balance,” by Alysia Tate – Feature Writing, Peter Lisagor Award.
“Wanted: Minority Voters for Governor’s Race” and “Latinos Do an About-face, Support Poshard,” by Alysia Tate and Sofia Javed – Unity Media Award, Lincoln University.
The Chicago Reporter web site – Excellence Award for Online Publications, Chicago Women in Publishing
Laura S. Washington – Community Service Fellowship, Chicago Community Trust; Studs Terkel Award, Community Media Workshop.
2000
“Special Report on Englewood,” by the Chicago Reporter staff – First Place Award, Inland Press Association; Best Online News Project Category for New Media, National Association of Black Journalists; Excellence Award, Chicago Women in Publishing; Peter Lisagor Awards for online public service and reporting.
“Policing Their Own,” about police misconduct in Chicago, by Rebecca Anderson – Newsletter Journalism Award, National Press Club; First Place Award, Inland Press Association.
“A Community’s Trauma,” by Alysia Tate – Award in Excellence in Magazines, Chicago Association of Black Journalists; Award of Excellence, Chicago Women in Publishing.
“Chicago Matters: Examining Health,” by the Chicago Reporter staff – Public Service, Newsletter Category, Peter Lisagor Award.
Jim McGowan – Peter Lisagor Award for layout and design.
Alysia Tate – Excellence Award, Southwest Women Working Together.
Laura S. Washington – Excellence in Media Award, Chicago Chapter of the National Organization of Women; Harry Chapin Media Award for Lifetime Achievement, World Hunger Year; Excellence Award, Southwest Women Working Together.
2001
“Chicago Matters: Education Matters,” a three-part series focused on inner-city schooling, children and families, by Mick Dumke, Brian Rogal and Sarah Karp and CATALYST writers Dan Weissman, Maureen Kelleher, Bret Schaeffer and Elizabeth Duffrin – Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism
Story on Illinois juvenile transfer law by Sarah Karp – Award for enterprise reporting, Chicago Association of Black Journalists.
“Fighting the Odds: The Plight of Young Black Men,” by Alden Loury – Herman Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association.
“State Drug Law Hits City Teens, Minorities,” by Sarah Karp – Herman Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association.
“1,000 Feet,” the radio version of “State Drug Law Hits City Teens, Minorities,” by Sarah Karp and produced with WBEZ 91.5 FM Chicago Public Radio – investigative reporting award, Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
“Transit Woes: The CTA’s Aging Bus Fleet,” by Rui Kaneya and Pamela A. Lewis – Peter Lisagor Award for online public service.
Jim McGowan – Peter Lisagor Award layout and design.
Laura S. Washington – Induction in Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame by the International Press Club of Chicago; Trailblazer Award, Chicago Association of Black Journalists; 5th Annual Women in History Month Award, Alpha Gamma Pi Organization, Metropolitan Cluster, National Hook-Up of Black Women Inc., and the Chicago Urban League.
2002
“Chicago Matters: Education Matters,” by Mick Dumke, Sarah Karp and Brian Rogal and CATALYST writers Liz Duffrin, Maureen Kelleher and Dan Weissmann – Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service, Society of Professional Journalists; Peter Lisagor Award for public service; Alden Loury and Rui Kaneya – Peter Lisagor Award for public service in online coverage; Jim McGowan – Peter Lisagor Award for layout and design.
“Giving Voice to the Anonymous,” by Stephanie Williams – First Place for personality profiles category, National Federation of Press Women; Mate E Palmer Communications award, Illinois Women’s Press Association.
Stories on drug abuse treatment in Cook County by Rui Kaneya – Mate E Palmer Communications award, Illinois Women’s Press Association.
Investigation of crack babies by Sarah Karp – Mate E Palmer Communications award, Illinois Women’s Press Association.
Alysia Tate – 2002 “40 Under 40” of up-and-coming leaders, Crain’s Chicago Business.
2003
Three-part series on the war on drugs by Alden Loury – Unity Award in Media for investigative reporting, Lincoln University of Missouri.
2004
Series on ex-offenders by Sarah Karp and Leah Samuel – Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting.
“Power to His People,” a profile of black-reparation rights activist Conrad Worrill by Mick Dumke – Peter Lisagor Award for feature writing; Award for Excellence, National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter.
“Foster Case Ends in Disaster,” by Sarah Karp – Award for Excellence, National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter.
Alysia Tate – “You Make a Difference” award, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights, Region V; Fellow, Leadership Greater Chicago; Fellow, Poynter Institute Ethics Fellows Class.
2005
“Deadly Moves,” an examination of the danger created in gang-controlled areas after the emptying of high-rise public housing, by the Chicago Reporter and the Residents’ Journal – New America Award, The Society of Professional Journalists; Peter Lisagor Award for media collaboration.
“Our Next Generation,” by Sarah Karp – Sidney Hillman Foundation Award.
2006
Series of stories on ex-offenders by Sarah Karp, Rupa Shenoy and Robert VerBruggen – Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting.
“Rising values,” by Kimbriell Kelly – Peter Lisagor Award for business reporting.
The Chicago Reporter – Paul Tobenkin Memorial Award for reporting on racial issues, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; Independent Press Award for Local Coverage, Utne Reader.
2007
“51 Cents an Hour,” by Kimbriell Kelly – Clarion Award for magazine series, Association for Women in Communications.
Story on human trafficking by Kimbriell Kelly and Angelica Herrera – Peter Lisagor Award for business reporting
Alden Loury – Fellow, inaugural Peter Jennings Project for Journalists and the Constitution.
2008
“High Price of Homeownership,” an examination of wide racial disparities in high-cost mortgage lending by Kimbriell Kelly and Alden Loury – Peter Lisagor Award for business reporting.
“Chicago Matters: Beyond Borders,” a yearlong examination of immigration in the Chicago region, by the Chicago Reporter, the Chicago Community Trust, the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Public Radio and WTTW-Channel 11 – Midwest Light of Human Rights Award for the media collaboration, Heartland Alliance.
Three part-series on immigration by Kimbriell Kelly, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein and Angelica Herrera – Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting
“Missed Signals,” an investigation of Chicago Police officers sued for wrongful death in fatal shootings of civilians by Jeff Kelly Lowenstein and Rui Kaneya – Herman Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association; and with and Colorlines Tram Nguyen – Watchdog Award for Excellence in Public Interest Reporting, Chicago Headline Club.
Jeff Kelly Lowenstein – Ochberg Fellow, Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma.
Fernando Diaz – Emerging Journalist of the Year, National Association of Hispanic Journalists; Justice and Journalism Fellowship for Ethnic Media, USC Annenberg’s Institute for Justice and Journalism.
2009
“A Renter’s Nightmare,” an examination of what happens to renters when lenders and mortgage firms take over foreclosed apartment buildings, by Kelly Virella – Peter Lisagor Award for business reporting.
“Children of the Incarcerated,” a series by Fernando Diaz, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, Alden Loury, Rui Kaneya and Christiana Schmitz – Herman Kogan Media Award, Chicago Bar Association.
“Lower Standards,” an investigation of racial disparities in nursing homes by Jeff Kelly Lowenstein – Public Service Award, National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform.
Alden Loury – Studs Terkel Award, Community Media Workshop.
2010
“Above the Law,” an examination of why authorities do not expunge criminal records, by Kelly Virella, Rui Kaneya and Kimbriell Kelly – Herman Kogan Media Award, the Chicago Bar Association.
“Lower Standards,” an investigation of racial disparities in nursing homes by Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, Kimbriell Kelly, Jessica Young and Jennifer Fernicola – Salute to Excellence Award, National Association of Black Journalists.
2011
“Stolen Futures,” an investigation into how teens are prosecuted as adults, by Angela Caputo and Kimbriell Kelly – Salute to Excellence Award, National Association of Black Journalists.
“17,” about teens prosecuted as adults for nonviolent offenses, by Angela Caputo, Kimbriell Kelly and Alissa Groeninger – Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting; Jon Lowenstein and Mark Abramson – Peter Lisagor Award for photography; Christine Wachter – Peter Lisagor Award for graphics.
“Taser Timeout,” an examination of excessive Taser use at a Kankakee jail, by Kelly Virella and Kimbriell Kelly and WBEZ’s Natalie Moore – Peter Lisagor Award for multimedia collaboration.
2012
“Out at First,” an investigation of the Chicago Housing Authority’s policy of evicting a household for one crime, by Angela Caputo and Kimbriell Kelly – Sigma Delta Chi Award. Society of Professional Journalists; Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting.
“Without a Smoking Gun,” an investigation into prosecution of teens for guns, by Angela Caputo, Kimbriell Kelly, Phil Jacobson and Samantha Winslow – Peter Lisagor Award in-depth reporting.
“Loopholes,” a story probing how spending $1 billion failed to revive the Loop, by Angela Caputo, Kimbriell Kelly, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein and Louis McGill – Peter Lisagor Award for business reporting; Christine Wachter – Peter Lisagor Award for best design.
“Empty Jackpot,” an investigation to set aside contract with disabilities, by Megan Cottrell, Rui Kaneya, Samuel Charles, Dylan Cinti, Caitlin Huston and Alexis Pope – Peter Lisagor Award for business reporting.
“Living with ADHD,” a joint program of the Chicago Reporter and WPWR-TV by Tasha Ransom, Kimbriell Kelly, Nancy Langfels, Jay Sondheimer, Suzanne Dumetz-Cole and Russ Sherman – Peter Lisagor Award for public affairs programming in television.
“Secure Communities,” Joe Gallo and Jason Reblando – Peter Lisagor Award for best photography.
“Double Whammy,” Christine Wachter – Peter Lisagor Award for best graphics.
2013
“Abusing the Badge,” by Angela Caputo, Rui Kaneya and Yisrael Shapiro, May 2012 – Investigative reporting award, National Association of Black Journalists.
“Slammed: Photos of Juvenile Justice,” Jonathan Gibby – Peter Lisagor Award for photography.
“Dying for Attention,” by Maria Ines Zamudio, Rui Kaneya, Kate Everson, Kyla Gardner and Kaitlyn Mattson – Peter Lisagor Award for non-deadline reporting.
“Subsidized Housing,” “Wage Theft,” and “Juvenile Justice,” Christine Wachter – Peter Lisagor Award for graphics.
“Minor Misconduct,” by Angela Caputo, Rui Kaneya, Jonathan Gibby and Safiya Merchant – Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting.
“Waiting in Vain,” by Maria Ines Zamudio, Rui Kaneya, Crystal Vance Guerra and Samuel Charles – Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting.
“There is More to Being Gluten-Free,” a WPWR-TV story by Tasha Ransom, Kimbriell Kelly, Jay Sondheimer, Steve Long, Ken Goss and Bill Barth – Peter Lisagor Award for science, heath, technology, environmental reporting.
“Experts Talk About Sexual Assault and How to Defend Yourself,” a WPWR-TV story by Tasha Ransom, Kimbriell Kelly, Jay Sondheimer, Steve Long, Russ Sherman and Bill Barth – Peter Lisagor Award for public affairs programming.
Megan Cottrell – Studs Terkel Community Media Award, Chicago Media Workshop.
2015
The Chicago Reporter received the 2016 Justice Leadership Award from the Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), a nonprofit organization that helps divert people who have substance use and mental health conditions out of the justice system and into recovery in the community. The award recognizes the Reporter’s longtime reporting at the intersection of criminal justice, poverty and race.
Jonah Newman was a finalist for the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists in the local news category for his investigation, “Public Housing, Private Security.” The awards are sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the University of Michigan and honor outstanding achievement by professionals under the age of 35 in local, national and international reporting.
Deborah L. Shelton, was a finalist for the Urban Health Journalism Prize, awarded by the New York Academy of Medicine, for “Guilty of mental illness,” a story about the criminalization of people living with mental illness.
Adeshina Emmanuel won a Peter Lisagor Award for “Who’s doing business in the neighborhood.”
2016
Database reporter Jonah Newman and data editor Matt Kiefer received an Innovation in Investigative Journalism (small category) award from the Investigative Reporters and Editors for the “Settling for Misconduct” project and database of police settlements.
The Chicago Reporter received an award of excellence from the Society for News Design for its “Settling for Misconduct” database of police settlements.
The Chicago Reporter was a finalist for the Watchdog Award from the Chicago Headline Club for its “Settling for Misconduct” project and database of police settlements.
Education reporters Kalyn Belsha and Melissa Sanchez won a Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award for Best Education Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine (non-deadline) for a series of stories about the digital divide in Chicago Public Schools.
2017
Settling for Misconduct cited in Justice Department report on needed reforms at the Chicago Police Department.
Lisagor Award – Best Business Reporting. “Wage theft victims have little chance of recouping pay in Illinois” by Melissa Sanchez and Matt Kiefer
2018
Lisagor Award – Best Business Reporting. “Alternative energy scams hit poor blacks and Latinos the hardest, complaints show” by La Risa Lynch
Friends of The Chicago Reporter 