West-central Illinois newsmen honored by Chicago Headline Club

Two journalists with ties to west-central Illinois on Friday

won in two categories of the Peter Lisagor Awards for Editorial Excellence from the Chicago Headline Club, the city's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Chicago Sun-Time reporter Mark Konkol (right), a 1995 WIU graduate and Pulitzer Prize winner, won best sports story in a daily with 250,000+ circulation for his feature “Worst. Season. Ever.” It was a look at the Lake County Fielders' short and disastrous season as a minor league ball club. Peoria native Rick Telander (below, right)

of the Chicago Sun-Times won best Sports Commentary for a daily with 250,000+ circulation for his series of columns titled “Murray Park: Can Heaven Still Be Found on a Playground?" It was about the Englewood neighborhood and changes there since NBA star Derrick Rose grew up and developed his talent on local playgrounds.