THE AWARD

     

    The Lincoln League of Journalists was created in 2000 to honor men and women who have provided exemplary service to other journalists and to daily newspapers published in Illinois.  The League is under the purview of the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association Executive Board. The board solicits nominations annually and may induct none or as many as it may choose and at its sole discretion. Inductees are presented a  keepsake prize and their names are inscribed on a permanent marker displayed in the Chicago bureau of The Associated Press.

     

     

    PAST WINNERS

    2000 (Inaugural Year)

    Marx Gibson

    (deceased), former managing editor of the Herald-News in Joliet and past member of the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association Executive Board.

    James F. Wilson

     retired chief of bureau for The Associated Press in Illinois, who served in that capacity for 14 years. He died in 2006.

    2001
    Patrick Coburn

    Publisher, State Journal-Register, Springfield.

    2002
    John Foreman

    Editor and General Manager, The News-Gazette, Champaign.

    2003
    Mike Lawrence

    Institute of Public Policy, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; former press aide to Gov. Jim Edgar; longtime Illinois political and legislative reporter.
    John David Reed

    Retired professor of journalism, Eastern Illinois University. Executive Director, Mid-America Press Institute.

    2004
    No Award

    2005
    No Award

    2006
    Charles N. Wheeler III

    Director of the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield, after a 24-year career at the Chicago Sun-Times, including 19 years covering the Statehouse.

    2007
    No Award

    2008
    Jack Brimeyer

    Retired managing editor of the Journal Star in Peoria, past president of IAPEA.
    Barry Locher

    Retired executive editor of The State Journal-Register in Springfield, past president of IAPEA.

    2009
    No Award

    2010
    No Award

    2011
    Bill Lair

    Retired managing editor of the Times-Courier in Charleston and the Journal Gazette in Mattoon.    		  

     

    HOW TO NOMINATE

     

    By February 15 of each year, send a nomination to:

    Lincoln League of Journalists
    10 S. Wacker Drive
    Suite 2500
    Chicago, IL. 60606-7407

    Get a nomination form here. (Adobe PDF format)

    The IAPEA board considers nominations each summer and may choose to present the award at its fall meeting.

    Things to keep in mind:

    1. Winners must have made contributions beyond their own newsrooms or newspapers or primary job.
    2. The nomination letter should list as many accomplishments as possible.
    3. Supporting letters and material are helpful.
    4. If your nominee wins, you may be asked to help prepare a bio to be used during the presentation.
    5. If your nominee doesn’t win one year, you still may nominate him or her again.