The Chicago Journalists Association’s 84th Anniversary Awards Ceremony was a memorable evening. Plenty of talented journalists across the Chicago area were recognized for their work during the past year. The night also featured a special interview with our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and 2022 Chicago Emerging Journalist of the Year.
If you couldn’t join us on Nov. 10, check out the full list of winners. CJA extends a hearty congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jim Rose, formerly ABC 7 Chicago
Chicago Breakout Journalist of the Year
Tonia Hill, The TRiiBE
Dorothy Storck Award Winners
First-Place Winner: Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica
Second-Place Winner: Maya Dukmasova, Injustice Watch
Second-Place Winner: Sylvia Snowden, CAN TV
Sarah Brown Boyden Award Winners
BEST OF THE BEST
Stacy St. Clair and Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune
“The Tylenol murders: The story of a 40-year-old unsolved case begins with a terrifying medical mystery”
ARTS
Mark Braboy and Matt Chapman, The TRiiBE
“Who is behind the hip-hop blogs spreading fake news about O-Block on social media?”
BEST SERIES
Stacy St. Clair and Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune
“The Tylenol murders: The story of a 40-year-old unsolved case begins with a terrifying medical mystery”
“The Tylenol murders, part 4: ‘That’s Jim Lewis!’ The task force turns its attention to a man with a disturbing past.”
“The Tylenol murders, part 6: A sting operation turned up the heat on a ‘perfect cold case’”
BREAKING NEWS
Jason Meisner, Ray Long and Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune
“Apparent slip-up during ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore cross-examination leads to revelation about interview with feds”
“Defendants found guilty on all counts in ‘ComEd Four’ trial; juror says panel wanted ‘politics to run in a correct manner’”
“After resounding ‘ComEd Four’ verdict, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s legacy on the line”
BUSINESS
Amy Yee, Andre Tartar and Marie Patino, Bloomberg CityLab
“How Fixes to the $800 Billion Covid Relief Program Got Money to More Small Businesses”
COLLABORATIONS
Stacy St. Clair and Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune with Claire Tighe, Jessica Glazer, Anmargaret Warner, Molly Getman, Matt Hickey and Morgan Springer, At Will Media
“Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders” Episode 1
“Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders” Episode 5
“Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders” Episode 8
COMMENTARY
Damon Williams, Raych Jackson and Staff, The TRiiBE
“In Brandon Johnson’s administration, there’s opportunity for bravery”
“An appeal to Chicago’s Black voters: don’t fear your liberation”
EDUCATION
Sarah Karp, WBEZ Chicago with Nader Issa and Lauren FitzPatrick, Chicago Sun-Times and Alden Loury, WBEZ Chicago
“Chicago officials said students would be better off after their schools closed. Here’s what really happened.”
“What became of the buildings left behind after Chicago closed 50 schools?”
“10 years after mass CPS school closings, enrollment is even worse. What can be done?”
FEATURES
Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune
HEALTH/SCIENCE
Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica
“‘God, No, Not Another Case.’ COVID-Related Stillbirths Didn’t Have to Happen.”
“Her Child Was Stillborn at 39 Weeks. She Blames a System That Doesn’t Always Listen to Mothers.”
“She Says Doctors Ignored Her Concerns About Her Pregnancy. For Many Black Women, It’s a Familiar Story.”
INNOVATION
Staff, Cicero Independiente
“Why is it so hard to run for office in Cicero?”
INVESTIGATIONS
Carlos Ballesteros, Injustice Watch
“Chicago police denied scores of undocumented crime victims a path to citizenship”
“Illinois DCFS blocks undocumented survivors of child abuse from applying for legal status, records show”
“Illinois AG investigating Chicago police over handling of U visas”
NEWS/SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Casey Toner, Illinois Answers Project with Mina Bloom and Colin Boyle, Block Club Chicago
“Life and death in Chicago’s most dangerous bike lane”
POLITICS
Mick Dumke, Block Club Chicago
“As Chicago struggled with migrant crisis for a year, city council’s immigrant rights committee didn’t meet once”
“These city council committees didn’t do much but spend your money. Now Mayor Brandon Johns wants to reward their leaders”
“After failing to act as Chicago struggled with migrant crisis, city council’s immigration committee calls on itself to meet more often”
PUBLIC SERVICE
Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica
“‘God, No, Not Another Case.’ COVID-Related Stillbirths Didn’t Have to Happen.”
“Her Child Was Stillborn at 39 Weeks. She Blames a System That Doesn’t Always Listen to Mothers.”
“She Says Doctors Ignored Her Concerns About Her Pregnancy. For Many Black Women, It’s a Familiar Story.”
SPORTS
Lauren Frost, Courtney Kueppers and Justine Tobiasz, WBEZ
“Sisters to sail the Race to Mackinac 100 years after their great-grandfather’s win was overturned”
STUDENT JOURNALISM
Olivia Cohen, Columbia College Chicago
“Faculty retention declines at Columbia – especially among instructors of color”
TECHNOLOGY
Jocelyn Martínez Rosales, South Side Weekly
“CashDrop Employees Speak Out”
TRANSPORTATION
Casey Toner, Illinois Answers Project with Mina Bloom and Colin Boyle, Block Club Chicago
“Life and death in Chicago’s most dangerous bike lane”