The news and design staff of Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark has won 43 awards in the 2025 Illinois Press Association editorial contest it was announced last week.
The wins crossed categories of hard news reporting, features, special projects, photography, page design and websites.
The Review topped the list of winners with 14 awards, nine of those for Jessica Mordacq, a staff reporter for both the Review and the Austin Weekly News. In addition to recognition for news, government beat and business reporting, Mordacq was honored for her obituary on Dorothy Gillian, a long-active Forest Parker who died in 2025.
Mordacq is also appreciated for winning what the old-timers here are certain is the organization’s first-ever Agriculture Reporting award. That was for her coverage of Opportunity Knocks making an agreement with the Village of Forest Park to use land at the Altenheim for its very small farm/very large garden.
Austin Weekly was recognized for its investigative work on West Suburban Medical Center, as well as notable features and obituaries. The twice-annual West Side Magazine was honored among special sections.
The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark earned 11 wins, five of them for the work of Stella Brown, staff reporter. In addition to news, government, business and features, the Landmark received notice for its annual Answer Book special, for overall page design and for best website.
Wednesday Journal won 13 awards for a range of news and features including features by Gregg Voss, Jessica Mackinnon and Bill Dwyer. Ken Trainor won for his original columns, and the Viewpoints section he edits was honored as one of the top editorial page sections. The Journal also was recognized for photography, page design and its website. The paper’s annual Answer Book and the 2025 Election Guide were honored among special sections. The paper’s Juneteenth section was recognized for Distinguished Coverage of Diversity.
In June, the press association will host its annual conference, which includes the announcement of the final placement in each category. Also at that luncheon, General Excellence in various circulation categories and the overall Sweepstakes trophies will be awarded.
A year ago, Mordacq and the Review won the David B. Kramer trophy for the top small circulation paper in the state.
