PressLines

PressLines ILLINOIS

July-August 2018 Month 2015

Official Publication of the Illinois Press Association

Tariff issue heats up 2 IPF sponsors journalism camp at EIU 8 ASNE-APME Newsroom Safety Best Practices 5 A new look at an old sales technique 10

2

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

Tariff issue heats up

SAM FISHER President & CEO

There has been a lot happening as it relates to the newsprint tariff issue, and Illinois has played a prominent role in letting our voice be heard in D.C. Earlier this month, a letter was sent to the ITC from the entire Illinois House delegation opposing the newsprint tariff.

This spring, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross opposing tariffs on newsprint, as well.

The IPA conducted a survey in May that measured the impact of tariffs on member newspapers. This was replicated by

many other press associations to make their respective cases against newsprint tariffs.

The Print Act, which calls for suspension of tariffs until the completion of an extensive study detailing the impact of tariffs on newsprint manufacturers and newspapers, was introduced in the Senate.

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-13, co-sponsored the companion House bill.

Illinois has been featured in national publications in the U.S., Canada and Germany. The Washington Post published a story that featured Illinois newspapers and the impact of tariffs; The Globe and Mail (Canada’s largest newspaper) featured the fact that Illinois has the full support of our congressional delegation; and Germany’s largest newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, quoted me about the impact of tariffs.

Our challenge has been trying to spark a national

discussion about our tariff issue, as it’s not received the same play as steel and aluminum tariffs.

Sadly, the tragic event in Annapolis has bought to the forefront the critical roles that newspapers play in their communities.

The ITC hearing is set for July 17. There will be testimony by both sides as it relates to the tariff issue. A final decision about tariffs will be made this fall, and it’s important to note that both the ITC and the Department of Commerce have to agree before the decision is final.

We have tried to do everything possible to fight these tariffs and I would like to express my thanks to everyone for their efforts. Our newspapers have written editorials, published stories and contacted their elected officials. It’s comforting to know that we have mobilized as an industry to tackle this issue.

ON THE COVER: Vernon Hills catcher Nick Marras (8) tags Wheeling's Kyle Bullock (9) during the 7th inning of Thursday's game, March 23, 2017. The home plate umpire ruled that there was no tag on the play, and Bullock was called safe at home. The game was called because of darkness after 7 innings with the score tied 5-5. Photo by Brian O'Mahoney, Lake County News-Sun, Gurnee (From the collection, IPA Contest Images).

OFFICERS Don Bricker Shaw Media, Sterling

Todd Sears The State Journal-Register, Springfield

Chris Fusco Chicago Sun-Times

Jim Slonoff The Hinsdalean, Hinsdale

Darrell Garth Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group

Scott Stone Daily Herald Media Group, Arlington Heights

Jim Shrader | Treasurer Hearst Newspapers, Alton

Margaret Holt Chicago Tribune Media Group, Chicago

Sue Walker Herald Newspapers, Inc., Chicago

Sandy Macfarland | Immediate Past Chair Law Bulletin Publishing, Chicago

John Reed The News-Gazette Group, Champaign

Sam Fisher, President & CEO Ext. 222 – sfisher@illinoispress.org

IPA STAFF | PHONE 217-241-1300

Owen Irwin, Assistant V.P. of Government Relations Ext. 224 - oirwin@illinoispress.org

Josh Sharp, Executive Vice President & COO, Ext. 238 — jsharp@illinoispress.org

Cindy Bedolli, Member Relations Ext. 226 - cbedolli@illinoispress.org

Ron Kline, Technology & Online Coordinator Ext. 239 - rkline@illinoispress.org

Tracy Spoonmore, Chief Financial Officer Ext. 237 - tspoonmore@illinoispress.org

Jeffrey Holman, Director of Advertising Ext. 248 — jholman@illinoispress.org

Kate Richardson, Director of Communication Ext. 227 – krichardson@illinoispress.org

Wendy Martin | Chair Mason County Democrat, Havana 900 Community Drive Springfield, IL 62703 Ph. 217-241-1300, Fax 217-241-1301 www.illinoispress.org

Ron Wallace | Vice-Chair Quincy Herald-Whig

Illinois PressLines is printed and distributed courtesy of GateHouse Media, Inc. in Peoria and Springfield.

DIRECTORS

@illinoispress @illinoispress1

Connect with us!

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES (USPS 006-862) is published bimonthly for $30 per year for Illinois Press Association members by the Illinois Press Association, 900 Community Drive, Springfield, IL 62703.

Kate Richardson, Editor © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

Volume 24 July/August/2018 Number 4 Date of Issue: 7/16/2018 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to ILLINOIS PRESS­LINES, 900 Community Drive, Springfield, IL 62703.

Periodical postage paid at Spring­field, Ill. and Peoria, Ill.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

Graphic Arts rules take shape Graphic Arts

In the May 25 edition of the Illinois Register, the Illinois Department of Revenue proposed rules to integrate the Graphic Arts Machinery and JOSH SHARP Equipment ExExecutive Vice emption into President & COO the Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment Exemption per P.A. 100-22, legislation that was part of the package to end the two-year budget stalemate in Illinois.

The IPA government relations team, along with the Great Lakes OWEN IRWIN Graphics AssoAssistant Vice ciation, recently President, submitted pubGovernment Relations lic comment on the proposed rules on behalf of our respective members. Many of our suggestions were technical in nature; however, others sought to create clarity on issues that routinely cause confusion for printers such as how certain consumables are to be treated for tax reasons in the pre-press environment and for tax purposes, how to account for solvents that have a direct impact when creating new plates.

The first notice comment period ends on July 7 and then the Department of Revenue will submit

its rules for second notice and for review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a bi-partisan legislative committee that reviews proposed administrative rules.

Once JCAR weighs in on the rules, then they will be enacted, and printers across the state will finally have the long-awaited regulations for the Graphic Arts Machinery Equipment Exemption and Manufacturing Machinery Equipment Exemption. In the meantime, the IPA government relations team will be meeting with the Department of Revenue staff and providing input to ensure a smooth transition and implementation of the rules.

EPA Public Notices Another recent rule change important to IPA members is the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reclassify the definition of giving notice to mean placing items on its website instead of in the newspaper. This allows the EPA to place notices on its website to satisfy certain statutory obligations to give notice. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), a bipartisan legislative committee, decided not to object to these rules. They believe it is well within the statutory authority of the agency because the statute does not explicitly state or require the agency to publish notice in the newspaper. While the IPA government relations team worked with JCAR and the EPA to withdraw the proposed rules, ultimately the EPA chose to go forward with its change. We believe that attempting to eliminate public notices through amending existing rules will be a trend that continues in the future, as the agencies have been unsuc-

See RULES on Page 7

3

4

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

Keep 'putting out a damn newspaper'

By Sam Fisher IPA President & CEO As newspaper people, we all feared that the tragic events in Annapolis could’ve happened to us. We’ve all dealt with people upset about our work – ranging from reporting on a DUI to a parent unhappy about the amount of sports coverage their son or daughter received. It’s part of being in the newspaper business.

But now, in these times of ugly rhetoric and social media rants, we need to understand that every threat should be taken seriously.

We reviewed our facility procedures here at the IPA and will make changes to building security.

There has been considerable discussion among the newspaper association managers about providing active shooter training and assistance in building security issues for our members. For starters, provide your local police and fire departments a f loorplan of your facility, as that could prove invaluable. It’s sad but necessary, and we’ll keep you posted.

We lost more than just five employees at a newspaper; we lost

individuals that were passionate about their craft and their community – after all, that’s what we all are. Remember their families, friends and co-workers during this difficult time.

So, keep “putting out a damn newspaper,” because that’s what the Capital Gazette did the day after the shootings and that’s what we’ll keep doing no matter what the obstacle.

Stand with the Capital Gazette by running these ads available in quarter, half and full page. See "Tragic events in Annapolis" under IPA headlines on the homepage of illinoispress.org.

For workplace safety, short-term fixes matter but they’re not enough Editor's note: This article is reprinted with permission from the Ohio News Media Association. Randy Van Dyne spoke at the 2018 Ohio News Media Association convention on workplace security and wrote this column at ONMA's request. One of the center's specialties is training media outlets such as ABC News on on-site and offsite safety.

RANDY VAN DYNE Executive Director, All Hazards Training Center, University of Findlay

Following the recent tragedy at the Annapolis Capital Gazette, here are a few important steps local news organizations can take now to improve overall security for your staff and your facilities.

1. Make sure you communicate and work with your local law enforcement agencies (LE) and get in the habit of routinely sharing all of your questions and concerns with them.

For example, it is my understanding that although there was some initial communication between the Annapolis paper and local officials in 2013 about concerns with the perpetrator, there was a lack of follow-up – by either the paper or LE. That seems unbelievable, but probably more common than you think.

Local LE may be able to do or suggest something that helps you prevent a tragedy. Look at them as an ongoing resource.

Other advantages of working with local LE: A. They can conduct active shooter training for you or provide you with a local contact who can. This training takes about an hour to complete, can be done in larger groups, and will give the trainees a sense of what to do, and how to protect themselves, if faced with an active shooter situation. It is important that you do this.

B. Getting to know Local LE better is always a good idea – like the old saying goes, "It is never a good idea to make friends in a foxhole." Get to know each other before any kind of crisis/disaster occurs.

C. Starting a more active working re-

lationship with local LE will have benefits in the implementation of ongoing violence prevention programs (discussed in detail below).

D. Have local LE conduct a security review/walk-through of your buildings and make suggestions on improvements you can make. Some things to consider are: 1. Update policies about access to visitors, vendors and other tenants.

2. Have a secure door that locks.

3. Regarding locked doors – who has access? Old key cards still out? When was the last time codes were changed?

4. Check security of windows, side doors, loading docks, and other points of entry.

5. Have multi-purpose, accessible emergency exits.

6. Consider installing panic buttons.

7. Install cameras at each entrance to your newsroom.

8. Create a digital threat reporting policy.

9. Put procedures in place to quickly notify authorities.

10. Have a contingency plan.

11. Schedule an active shooting drill.

12. For more information and additional suggestions see this Poynter arti-

cle: https://bit.ly/2ukd9co 2. Don't fall into the trap of getting active shooter training for everyone in your organization and thinking you are prepared.

Far too many organization believe that when they collectively know what to do when someone shows up with a gun, they are completely prepared. There is a lot more you can/must do to help prevent incidents from ever occurring 3. If I could give one piece of advice that can help you prevent workplace violence now and in the future, it is to implement a proven violence prevention program.

Contrary to public opinion, virtually no one makes a sudden decision to show up one day at a workplace to begin shooting. The motivation of almost all violent perpetrators is to get revenge against those that they feel have harmed them. This is called targeted violence and assailants plan their attack, sometimes for months. Potential perpetrators can be employees, former employees, customers/readers, neigh-

See SAFETY on Page 7

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

5

ASNE-APME Newsroom Safety Best Practices Editor's Note: This article is reprinted with permission from the Associated Press Media Editors (APME).

In light of the tragic shooting in the Capital Gazette newsroom, here are some safety tips gleaned from numerous journalism and advocacy sources.

Before a dangerous event occurs (Condensed from Poynter.org): • Have a secure door that locks. Peo-

ple can just walk right into most small newsrooms.

• Update policies about visitors, vendors and other tenants. Newsrooms should revisit the conditions under which other people can visit the office.

• Install cameras at each entrance to your newsroom. This is a way to see visitors before they’re in the building, and could reveal a potential shooter before an attack.

• Have multi-purpose, accessible emergency exits. These could be your typical fire exits, but make sure they’re ready for an active shooter situation.

• Consider launching a GoFundMe. No one likes asking for money, but if your newsroom is really behind on security or doesn’t have the manpower to make changes by itself, it’s worth a call-to-action.

• Schedule an active shooter training session. These short classes, which are free at many police departments around the U.S., teach civilians what to do in case they encounter an active shooter. Media outlets should also schedule a personal safety course that includes self-defense, first aid and surveillance detection.

• Have an emergency action plan.

Many news organizations have business continuity plans for natural disasters, shootings and other newsroom attacks — and to share them frequently with staff.

• Consider installing panic buttons.

In an emergency situation, news-

room staff may freeze and forget what they’re supposed to do when an attack occurs.

• Create a digital threat reporting policy. As some noted on Twitter after the Capital Gazette attack, journalists regularly receive a barrage of threats online. It’s important for your newsroom to have a policy in place outlining when journalists should report threatening messages to leadership.

In an active-shooter event (Condensed from Ready.gov): During • RUN and escape, if possible.

• Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority.

• Leave your belongings behind and get away.

• Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.

• Warn and prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.

• Call 911 when you are safe, and describe shooter, location, and weapons.

HIDE, if escape is not possible.

• Get out of the shooter’s view, stay quiet.

• Silence all electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate.

• Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights.

• Don’t hide in groups – spread out along walls or hide.

• Try to communicate with police silently. Use text message or social media to tag your location, or put a sign in a window.

• Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear.

FIGHT as an absolute last resort.

• Commit to your actions; act as aggressively as possible against the shooter.

• Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc.

• Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter.

• Throw items and improvise weapons to distract and disarm the shooter.

After the attack • Keep hands visible and empty.

• Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the attack, and they may have to pass injured along the way.

• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns and may use pepper spray.

• Officers will shout commands and may push people to the ground for their safety.

• Follow law enforcement instructions and evacuate in the direction they come from, unless otherwise instructed.

• Take care of yourself first, and then you may be able to help the wounded.

• If the injured are in immediate danger, help get them to safety.

• While you wait for a first responder to arrive, provide first aid.

• Turn wounded people onto their sides if they are unconscious and keep them warm.

• Consider seeking professional help to cope with the long-term effects of the trauma.

After an emergency, tips for managers (Condensed from DART Center): • Be visibly in charge. Visit the newsroom and talk to staff more often.

• Don’t stifle your own honest reactions. Be a leader by showing you can be upset while still being in control of the situation.

• Keep staff informed, even if you don’t have all the answers.

• Consult. Take views and needs into account.

• Be a role model for self-care. Take care of yourself; send reminders to others, too.

• Watch out for people. Acts of courtesy – paying for travel expenses to attend funerals – are often what is remembered.

See BEST PRACTICES on Page 7

6

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

IAPME inducts 7 into Lincoln League of Journalists BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Associated Press Media Editors inducted its 16th member into the Lincoln League of Journalists at this year’s IPA/AP annual convention. As part of the state’s bicentennial it also inducted seven pioneer members into the Lincoln League.

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.

Roger Ruthhart, the retired editor of The Dispatch-Rock Island Argus, was the latest inductee. He was introduced by John Lampinen, senior vice president and editor of The Daily Herald. Ruthhart served on the IAPME board for 32 years (two terms as president) and on the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association. Board for 31 years (three terms as president).

He served for many years as chair of the Illinois Press Association News/ Editorial Steering Committee, which planned seminars around the state.

He was involved in the launch of the pilot Cameras in the Courtroom initiative and consulted with other media and court districts on wider implementation in Illinois. He is an annual presenter at the convention of the Northern Illinois Student Press Association for high school students and advisers and a frequent speaker

to high school and college journalism classes on such topics as careers, reporting, ethics and media law.

In his comments, Lampinen noted that Ruthhart had been responsible for launching and nurturing the careers of hundreds of reporters and interns—two of which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. His career began covering sports for his hometown newspaper in Barrington, Ill., while in high school in 1968. He was a reporter, political writer and managing editor at Lakeland Newspapers in Grayslake, which twice won the IPA award as the state’s best weekly paper. He also was editor of the Times-Press in Streator before becoming managing editor of the Rock Island Argus and retiring as editor of the Dispatch-Argus.

Also inducted as part of the bicentennial acknowledgment of their earlier contributions to the industry were: Matthew Duncan: The first newspaper published in Illinois was the Illinois Herald, first published in 1814 in Kaskaskia by Matthew Duncan. The Herald was the only paper in Illinois until it became a state in 1818 and the law was changed to allow three state newspapers to publish public notices.

But Duncan and the Illinois Herald have the honor of being the first.

John Withnal Bailey: John Withnal Bailey, owner of the Bureau County Republican, convinced fellow

journalists to unite to form the Illinois Press Association. Bailey aided southern fugitives through the Underground Railroad. In 1863, he bought the Bureau County Republican, which he ran for 40 years.

Elijah Lovejoy: Few have suffered in the name of journalism as Elijah Lovejoy. The anti-slavery publisher moved to Illinois in 1836 after pro-slavery advocates in Missouri destroyed his press. He named his newspaper the Alton Observer. But there, mobs destroyed his press three more times. In 1837, they finished the job for good, shooting and killing Lovejoy, setting his building on fire, and throwing his press in the river, ending his years of battle for freedom of the press and the abolition of slavery.

Robert Sengstacke Abbott: In 1905, Robert Sengstacke Abbott founded the Chicago Defender in an apartment kitchen, with an initial press run of 300. A decade later, the Defender was the nation’s most influential black weekly newspaper, with more than two-thirds of its readership base located outside of Chicago.

Samuel Sidney McClure: Samuel McClure and a group of fellow graduates from Knox College in Galesburg, created McClure’s Magazine in 1893.

McClure encouraged a new form of reporting and writing where instead of demanding writers provide articles

immediately, he would give them all the time they needed to do extensive research on their topics – providing the foundation for investigative, or muckraking, journalism.

Minnie Potter: For the first time in its history, the Rock Island Argus was on sound financial footing following its purchase by John W. Potter in 1888. But in January 1898, at age 37, Potter died. His wife, Minnie Potter, took over the newspaper, making her perhaps the first female newspaper publisher in Illinois. She kept The Argus alive during a critical 25-year period of publication, during which the paper battled with The Rock Island News, run by gangster John Looney.

She led a group of local businessmen who kept the pressure on the city’s corrupt leaders to take action against Looney.

Col. Robert McCormick: Robert R. McCormick introduced the concept of higher education in journalism.

His goal was to lay the foundation for journalism to become a profession.

In 1920, McCormick and his cousin, Joseph Medill Patterson, sponsored a school named for their grandfather, the Joseph Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. From 1911 until 1955, McCormick was president of the Tribune Co.

LINCOLN LEAGUE

Previously inducted Lincoln League members include: Marx Gibson, The Daily Journal, Kankakee/Joliet Herald News James Wilson, Chicago bureau chief for the Associated Press Pat Coburn, publisher, State Journal-Register, Springfield John Foreman, publisher, The News-Gazette, Champaign Mike Lawrence, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, SIU Carbondale; Lee Enterprises, Chicago Sun-Times.

John David Reed, Chicago Sun-Times, Eastern Illinois University/Daily Eastern News; Mid America Press Institute Charles Wheeler III, Public Affairs Reporting, University Of Illinois at Springfield Jack Brimeyer, Peoria Journal Star

Barry Locher, State Journal-Register, Springfield; Illinois Press Foundation Bill Lair, Charleston Courier; Eastern Illinois University Roger Ebert, Chicago Tribune, syndicated columnist, Ebert Film Festival Mary Dedinsky, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, NU-Qatar John Beck, The News-Gazette, Champaign Ann Marie Lipinski, Chicago Tribune, University of Chicago and Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.

Eric Lund, Evanston Review, Chicago Daily News, Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, North Park College, Columbia College

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

7

SAFETY Continued from Page 4 bors, activists, or anyone with reason to get even with a particular organization, its owners, its employees, or even what it stands for.

Potential perpetrators move through the steps of a process called the "targeted violence continuum." First comes ideation. They convince themselves that they must get even. Next, they plan how they might carry out the idea, selecting a date, a location, a weapon, or a target list. Then, the assailant prepares: They locate a gun, make sure they have plenty of ammunition, and choose a time to attack when they can be certain the targeted individuals will be at the workplace. Working through this continuum takes the perpetrator some time, but eventually they reach the last step, implementation, and carry out their plan.

Learn to take advantage of the time provided to set up a network of information gathering on potential internal and external violence perpetrators, and determine how best to intervene before

they reach the implementation stage.

To gather intelligence, you must teach workers what to report and exactly whom to report it to. You are looking for certain behaviors such as unusual moods, change in moods, threatening or strange writings, text messages, Facebook postings, verbal comments, etc. Make sure your system constantly gathers all the information it can.

This is an ongoing program. Don't implement it for a few months and let it lapse. You never know when a potential workplace violence issue may become a threat to you.

Next, establish a "threat assessment management team." Team members should include representatives from your security group, your human resource department and your management or administration. Important outside team members include local LE and local mental health agencies. Local LE can provide you with information that is more community based. Is the

RULES Continued from Page 3 cessful in eliminating public notice requirements via statute and through the legislative process.

The IPA government relations team will be working with its legislative allies next spring to introduce legislation to require that these notices be published in the newspaper. However, during the summer and fall, newspapers must press the gubernatorial candidates regarding issues such as public notice and let each candidate know that policies like these are bad for transparency and the state.

BEST PRACTICES Continued from Page 5

• Be scrupulously fair. Be seen as transparent and fair, particularly in how assignments, opportunities are allocated.

• Be open to the positives without denying the negatives. The tone to set would be ‘this is bad, but we can get through it.’

Other resources: Committee to Protect Journalists: Journalist Security Guide Active shooter situation tips Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Emergency Action Plan TrollBusters: Online Pest Control for Journalists

person in question a bad actor in the community? Local mental health provides you with a perspective you need, but probably don't have on your own.

The team is charged with collecting the information and determining how to best proceed – on a case-by-case basis.

Is the person of concern just having a "bad day" or is there something deeper going on?

The ultimate goal is to intervene before the potential perpetrator moves through to the final stage of the continuum. Many times, the issues causing their feelings are resolvable. There may be mental health or other underlying issues to contend with. Law enforcement may have to step in. Your organization must be proactive to prevent the occurrence of workplace violence.

This can be done by using programs such as the one we teach called Threat Assessment Management that was developed by the U.S. Secret Service.

For more information, their website

is www.secretservice.gov/protection/ ntac/. Implementing TAM programs isn't difficult with assistance from outside organizations that have the necessary experience.

If we can be of service in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Randy Van Dyne is the executive director of the All Hazards Training Center at the University of Findlay.

The AHTC has provided environmental, safety, health and security training to over 250,000 participants, coast-to-coast since 1989. The AHTC is one of the nation's leading providers of school and workplace violence prevention training. Randy also initiated degree programs in environmental, safety, and occupational health at Findlay that have graduated more than 2,000 students.

8

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

Illinois Journalism Education Association honors student journalists

By Sally Renaud IJEA Executive Director, IPF Board of Directors The lobby of the Illinois Press Association building was full of excited parents, advisers and high school journalists Saturday, June 2, as they awaited the induction of the 2018 All-State Journalism Team.

In an event hosted and sponsored by the Illinois Press Foundation, 10 students from around the state were honored by their advisers and members of the Illinois Journalism Education Association for their contributions often behind the scenes.

Daisy Contreras, a Statehouse reporter for NPR Illinois, was the keynote speaker. Contreras talked to the

students about her journey to reporting, which included studying with Charlie Wheeler, an IPF Board member, in the Public Affairs Reporting master’s program at UIS and receiving an IPF scholarship in 2016.

“I was blown away by the students' work ethic and passion for journalism,” Contreras said. “It was wonderful to network with other mentors.”

IJEA began the All-State Journalism Team in 2005 as a way to recognize those students who are “most valuable players” for their school media. This is what makes the All-State Team different from other high school journalism honors. It’s not about the byline.

They’re the ones who are willing to sacrifice their spare time to make sure

WITH

Boost REVENUE & Increase READERSHIP

Custom Inserts & Publications

other peoples' stories are well-edited.

They’re the ones who make sure a publication’s pages are smartly designed, the headlines witty, the photos well composed, the website up to date and easy to navigate, the videos smoothly produced and the information in every story accurate. They’re the ones who don’t seek recognition but deserve it most of all.

Greg Bilbrey, editor of the Robinson Daily News, is a judge for the All-State Team.

“It's hard to be pessimistic about the future of journalism when you're surrounded by the best of the best student journalists,” he said. “These kids are going to find answers for the profession's challenges, while serving as the

ethical, accurate and courageous journalists our democracy needs."

Robinson, who has been a part of the ceremony for a number of years as both an IPF Board member and IJEA Board member, is a longtime adviser of the student newspaper at Casey-Westfield High School, as well as a liaison between professional media professionals and scholastic journalism programs.

“IPA headquarters was a perfect venue to celebrate the best in Illinois journalism,” said John Gonczy, IJEA president from Marist High School-Chicago.

“We deeply appreciate IPA’s supportive partnership as IJEA continues to promote excellence in scholastic journalism throughout the state.”

IPF sponsors journalism camp at EIU

Let Us Help You Increase Revenue and Reader Loyalty As experts in printing senior guides, bridal guides, community guides and more, we can help you get started.

888-824-0303 | pubprinters.com

(L to R) High school students Anahi Mosquera, Kaitlyn Waynick, Zach Price, Tim O’Leary (back), Jeromel Lara (front), Cassie Sutton, Isabel Taylor, Jack Dugan, De’Jon McAdory, Taylor Trimble, Rhaya Truman, Megan Bachman, Cheryl Chen and Jimeya Mayes attend the Illinois Press Foundation/Eastern Illinois University 11-day 2018 High School Journalism Camp from June 19 to 29. Students spent their time at the EIU campus learning from journalism faculty and professional journalists, then went on mini-internships. Penny Weaver (Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, Mattoon), Jim Rossow (The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana), Greg Bilbrey (Robinson Daily News), Chris Coates (Herald & Review, Decatur) and Jeff Long (Effingham Daily News) hosted the interns.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

is proud to sponsor the 2018 Illinois Press Association Annual Convention

Congratulations to All Awards Winners! #DoJournalismWithImpact

9

10

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

A new look at an old sales technique

Make Sales Soar Like Magic Improve your close ratios to 70% or more with the New MiAD

Wizard!

It's a fact that spec ads help close more sales— and yet spec ads are used less than 20% of the time.

Now, with the real-world magic of MiAD Wizard, personalizing and presenting spec ads for EVERY prospect is as easy as 1-2-3!

Go to miadwizard.com and see the magic for yourself!

800.223.1600

service@metro-email.com

metrocreativeconnection.com

Carla has been selling advertising for many years. She has researched and tried a variety of techniques to answer objections. “Just about everybody knows the Feel-Felt-Found formula,” she said. “When a prospect makes an objection – about price, for example – the response is, ‘I understand how you feel. Many others have felt the same way. Then they found that our paper offers good value for their investment.’

“In theory, it’s sound,” she said.

“But most business people have heard it before. As soon as they hear ‘I understand how you feel,’ they know it’s going to be a canned JOHN FOUST explanation. The key is to avoid the Raleigh, N.C. words ‘feel,’ ‘felt’ and ‘found’ and use other ways to say the same thing.

“The phrase that has been the biggest help to me is: ‘No one wants to _____.’ Just fill in the blank after the word ‘to’ and you’ve got a great lead-in statement.”

Here’s a closer look: 1. I understand how you feel. The purpose of this phrase is to get in step with others, but it’s an overused statement that can sound mechanical and insincere. “You shouldn’t say you understand unless you really understand,” Carla said. “This is where ‘no one wants to’ comes into play.

It’s a safe statement that puts me on the same page with the other person.

When there’s a price objection, I say, ‘No one wants to pay more for advertising than they have to.’ It’s as simple as that. In all the times I’ve used it, no one has disagreed.”

Carla explained that this works with any objection. “No one wants to

schedule more ads than they need.

No one wants to plan more meetings than they need. No one wants to sign a longer contract than they need. And so on.”

2. Many others have felt the same way. According to Carla, this phrase is too vague. “It’s good to reassure other people, because we want them to know they’re not the only ones with that opinion. But this step in the process works better with a specific example. I like to say something like, ‘Others have had the same opinion.

About a month ago, the XYZ Widget Company was concerned about our rates.’ That creates a bridge to the last step – where I talk about what that advertiser found.”

3. Then they found. “Here’s where you turn that example into a testimonial,” Carla said. “Instead of referring to all the advertisers who had that same objection, talk about one advertiser’s positive experience. That has more impact.”

Put it all together to get something like this: “No one wants to pay more for advertising than they have to. Other people have had the same concern.

In fact, XYZ initially had questions about our rates. Then they discovered that we offer more coverage than other media choices. As a result, their business is up 10 percent over the same time period last year. This comparison chart shows...”

It’s hard to object to that strategy, isn’t it? © Copyright 2018 by John Foust. All rights reserved.

John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals.

Many ad departments are using his training videos to save time and get quick results from in-house training.

E-mail for information: john@johnfoust.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

High Quality Printing Solutions

From Concept to Delivery We’ve taken our experience and developed a host of new services with the reputation of our brand behind them.

We now offer a variety of printing services, paper stocks and full bindery capabilities as well as “concept design to delivery” via our unique ability to reach your target audience.

dhprinting is a full-service, one-stop shop for all your printing needs.

• Magazines • Newspapers • Menus • Flyers • Business Forms • Business Cards • Brochures • Banners • Signs

• Catalogs • Door Hangers • Promo pieces • Postcards • Posters • Newsletters • Promotional Items • Custom projects

Ask for our

Direct Mail Packages From printing to delivery!

(847) 427-4639 I gdavis@dailyherald.com

11

12

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

AROUND THE STATE

Tronc completed its $500 million sale of the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune to biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong on June 18, ushering in a new era for both the Chicago-based newspaper chain and its former California holdings.

Tronc also is looking to shed its much derided corporate moniker, and bring the Tribune name back in some form, according to sources.

The sale of the LA Times returns that newspaper to local ownership after 18 years under a Chicago-based corporate parent.

Tronc executives have said they would use the proceeds from the sale to fully repay outstanding debt and pursue acquisitions. The company had long-term debt of nearly $327 million as of the first quarter, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"We are very pleased to close this transaction, which greatly strength-

Tronc completes sale of Los Angeles Times

ens our balance sheet and significantly lowers our pension liabilities," Justin Dearborn, chair and chief executive officer of Tronc, said in an emailed statement June 18.

Soon-Shiong, Tronc's second-largest shareholder, also will assume $90 million of pension liabilities tied to the California holdings.

Formerly known as Tribune Publishing, Tronc owns the Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, Baltimore Sun and other major daily newspapers.

In a report to investors June 18, Cowen analyst Lance Vitanza said the Times sale makes Tronc "compelling" as an acquisition target for other media companies.

Tronc struck a deal to sell the California newspapers to Soon-Shiong in February, and federal regulators signed off in March. The transaction was slowed by negotiations for a transition services agreement under which Tronc would provide a variety

of services to the California newspapers for up to 12 months after closing, executives said.

Tronc's former parent company, Tribune Co. (now Tribune Media), acquired Times Mirror Co., owner of the Los Angeles Times and other assets, for $8.3 billion in 2000. Tribune Publishing bought the San Diego Union-Tribune and nine community weeklies for $85 million in 2015.

The company changed its name to Tronc in June 2016, four months after technology entrepreneur Michael Ferro became nonexecutive chairman and the largest shareholder of the newspaper chain. Ferro, who previously owned the Chicago Sun-Times, was in the midst of fending off a hostile takeover bid from Gannett when the name, which stood for Tribune Online Content, was introduced to widespread ridicule.

Perhaps most notably, during a 2016 episode of his HBO show, "Last Week

Tonight," comedian John Oliver said Tribune Publishing was rebranded "into something much, much stupider," likening the name Tronc to "the sound of a stack of print newspapers being thrown into a dumpster."

In a 2016 interview, Dearborn said part of the reason for the change to Tronc was the company licensed the Tribune Publishing name from its broadcast parent, Tribune Media. The publishing division spun off from Tribune Media in August 2014.

Sources on June 18 said Tronc was seeking to incorporate Tribune back into its name, a change it expected to be imminent.

Ferro stepped down from the board of Tronc in March, ahead of published accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior toward two women while in his previous role as head of a Chicago investment firm.

Block Club Chicago gets DNAinfo archives Block Club Chicago, a recently launched hyperlocal news site, has acquired the archives, website and other assets of DNAinfo, which shut down operations in November.

A nonprofit organization, Block Club Chicago was given the assets at no charge by New York public radio station WNYC, which bought them in February for an undisclosed price.

"We essentially are DNAinfo now," said Shamus Toomey, the former DNAinfo Chicago managing editor who co-founded Block Club Chicago.

Toomey, who serves as editor-in-chief of Block Club Chicago, said the new site will keep its name,

but it plans to leverage the DNAinfo archives, website, social media channels and email list to connect with former readers.

WNYC relaunched the sister site Gothamist in April but had no plans for DNAinfo beyond maintaining the archives.

Laura Walker, president and CEO of New York Public Radio, said in a news release that the organization was "delighted to provide the DNAinfo assets as a gift."

Joe Ricketts, the billionaire founder of TD Ameritrade, launched DNAinfo in New York City in 2009, and the Chicago site came online

three years later. The Ricketts family also owns the Chicago Cubs.

Ricketts abruptly shut down DNAinfo in November, saying the ad-supported business model wasn't viable. A decision by the staff to unionize made it harder for the business to be financially successful, a DNA spokesperson said at the time.

As a nonprofit, Block Club Chicago is pursuing a different business model based on donations and subscriptions. A February Kickstarter campaign got the ball rolling, raising $183,000. Civil, a New York-based journalism technology platform, also contributed startup funding.

Need to fill an empty desk?

Check out our job bank to post or find job openings! illinoispress.org/Services/JobBank.aspx

Block Club Chicago will employ a metered subscription, where readers will see a few stories for free each month before the website goes behind a paywall. Subscriptions will run $6 per month or $59 per year, Toomey said.

The paywall is expected to go up very soon, he said.

Block Club Chicago is starting with six writers and three co-founding editors a far smaller staff than DNAinfo Chicago. It is looking to freelancers to fill in the gaps of its neighborhood news coverage, said co-founder and Managing Editor Stephanie Lulay, another DNAinfo veteran.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

Chicago Tribune will recognize Chicago Tribune Guild

In a surprising turn of events, Tronc, the parent company of the Chicago Tribune and several other Chicago-area dailies, agreed to voluntarily recognize the Chicago Tribune Guild as the bargaining agent for the newspapers, reporters, editors and related staff.

This would be the first time in the newspaper's 171-year history that staff will be represented by a union.

According to a spokesman for The News Guild-Communications Workers of America, and its attorneys, that in decades of organizing, no one has seen a newsroom earn voluntary recognition from a company the size of Tronc and with a company with such a long history of anti-union bias.

Tribune staffers believe the unionization came about because 85 percent of the newsroom reporters, editors, designers, photographers, columnists and others signed cards saying they wanted their professional interests represented by a union.

This recognition provides Tribune staffers the immediate protections granted to union members by labor law and lets them get to the bargaining table much faster.

While the staff will be under one union banner, there will be three bargaining units working together. One will be for the Tribune and Redeye.

The second will represent the staffs of the Aurora Beacon-News, the Daily Southtown, the Elgin Courier-News, the Naperville Sun and the Hoy, a Spanish language publication. The third will represent in the Design and Production Studio (DPS). While DPS will bargain separately, it will follow the guidelines of the other units.

All staff is now operating under a status quo period, meaning Tronc cannot unilaterally alter any work conditions without first negotiating with the bargaining units.

In coming weeks, members of the Tribune's organizing committee will work with Guild representatives and lawyers to map out bargaining strategies, including surveys asking staff to identify contract priorities.

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

13

AROUND THE STATE

The Nashville News has new owner, Greg Hoskins of Better Newspapers Inc.

Beginning the newspaper's 85th year of publication, an announcement was made on Friday, June 29, that The Nashville News has a new owner, after Greg Hoskins of Better Newspapers, Inc., acquired the paper from previous owner Chuck Neal.

Hoskins met June 29 with Bruce Wallace, manager of The Nashville News and Neal's representative, to finalize the deal before making the announcement to newspaper staff that afternoon.

Hoskins, originally a resident of Streator, attended the University of Illinois, and earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts. After graduation, he searched for a job, but was finding it difficult due to the economy at the time. He was told of an opening in the sales department of the Times Press, a local newspaper in Streator.

Hoskins discovered his love and respect for newspapers at that local company. Eventually leaving the Times

Press, he began working for the American Publishing Co. in West Frankfort.

This experience took him to Arizona to work for Kramer Publications, which produced a daily newspaper and approximately 17 weekly newspaper and shopper publications.

Hoskins returned to Illinois in 1991 when he heard of a group of newspapers that were in bankruptcy court. He united with Cleon Birkemeyer, a friend from American Publishing, and bought the four weekly newspapers out of bankruptcy.

On May 1, 1991, Better Newspapers, Inc., was formed which included the Mascoutah Herald, Scott Flier, Clinton County News and Fairview Heights Tribune. Since that time, Hoskins has purchased Mt. Zion Region News, Arthur Graphic Clarion, Southern Piatt Record-Herald, Altamont News, St. Elmo Banner, Villa Grove News, Southern Champaign County Today, Bond and

Fayette County Shopper, and three publications in Missouri – The Ozark Horse Trader in West Plains, Mo., Wayne County Journal Banner in Piedmont, Mo., and Reynolds County Courier in Ellington, Mo. In 2012, Hoskins expanded his corporation by building a regional press plant in Altamont. This plant not only prints publications owned by Better Newspapers, but also a variety of other newspapers in the area.

Better Newspapers Inc. corporate headquarters is located in Mascoutah and is an organization founded on family loyalty. Greg Hoskins is president of the corporation, and his wife, Linda, works in the editorial department in Mascoutah. His son, Scott Hoskins, is the corporation's business manager, and his other son, Mark Hoskins, is the regional manager for the press plant and newspapers in Altamont.

Chicago Sun-Times sells Chicago Reader Chicago Crusader will take over publication The Chicago Reader has a new owner for the second time in less than a year.

The Chicago Sun-Times announced June 15 it has reached an agreement to sell the alternative weekly to an ownership group led by Chicago Crusader Publisher Dorothy Leavell. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sun-Times Chief Executive Officer Edwin Eisendrath tweeted news of the sale, saying "we love the Reader & are thrilled it's (sic) future is in such good hands."

Eisendrath, a former Chicago alderman who partnered with the Chicago Federation of Labor and other investors to buy the Sun-Times, the Chicago Reader and other assets in July for $1, did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Sources say Eisendrath had been shopping the Reader for several months.

The group's brief stewardship of the Reader was rocky. In February, Eisen-

drath ousted newly hired Editor Mark Konkol after one issue at the helm over cover art that was widely condemned as racist.

Dave Newbart, formerly senior editor at DNAinfo Chicago, was installed as interim executive editor. The Reader will now be owned by a longstanding voice of the African-African community under Leavell, whose weekly Crusader publications cover Chicago and northwest Indiana.

Leavell was not available immediately to discuss the Reader acquisition. A Reader story published online June 15 said the deal was expected to close within 30 days, with the Sun-Times retaining a 15 percent stake.

Launched in 1971 by a group of Carleton College graduates as a free weekly, the Reader became known for its ambitious long-form journalism, arts news and offbeat classified ads. Like many

print publications, the Reader has struggled in the digital age, leading to a series of ownership changes.

The original ownership group sold the Reader in 2007 to Creative Loafing, a small chain of alternative weeklies based in Atlanta. Atalaya Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund, acquired the Reader out of bankruptcy in 2009.

Wrapports, a Chicago investor group led

by Michael Ferro that acquired the SunTimes in late 2011, added the Reader to its portfolio in May 2012 for about $2.5 million. Wrapports sold to Eisendrath's group last summer.

Ferro, who donated his 40 percent stake in Wrapports to the California Community Foundation in 2016, is the largest shareholder and former nonexecutive chairman of Tronc, the Chicago-based newspaper chain that owns the Chicago Tribune and other major newspapers.

14

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

Chicago Tribune disables reader comments on website The Chicago Tribune just became the latest news organization to disable reader comments on its website.

"We've turned off comments across chicagotribune.com while we review our commenting platform and consider ways to improve the system," the paper's editors announced.

Columnist Mary Schmich cheered the move, tweeting: "Oh happy day."

A spokesperson for parent company Tronc could not provide a time frame for the return of comments, saying only: "We are exploring options to make commenting better on the site."

Chicago-area workers now handling all Sun-Times customer service calls Chicago Sun-Times subscribers are now hearing familiar voices whenever they phone the newspaper's customer service number — the voices of other hardworking Chicagoans.

That's because the news organization as of June 1 began fielding calls about its resurgent digital and print products using Chicago-area workers. Such calls previously had been handled by workers overseas.

The switch isn't just about providing improved service to readers, Sun-Times Chief Operating Officer Nykia Wright said. It's about bringing jobs back to the U.S. and being a "local paper with local people on staff to serve our customers."

Handling customer calls locally also will save money. Using Chicago-area workers, Wright said, "debunks the myth that migrating jobs overseas always is more economical."

The Sun-Times has added thousands of electronic subscribers since launching a digital subscription system in April. There are two payment options: $7.49 a month, or a more economical $74.99 a year.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

AROUND THE STATE

Berkshire Hathaway recruits Lee Enterprises

Lee Enterprises Inc. announced June 21 it has entered an agreement to manage Berkshire Hathaway newspapers and digital operations in 30 markets.

In a statement, Lee said the agreement, which begins July 2, gives it "the flexibility to implement revenue initiatives and business transformation consistent with how it manages its own newspaper and digital operations in 49 markets, while Berkshire Hathaway continues as owner of BH Media."

Berkshire Hathaway's chair and chief executive officer is Warren Buffett.

Shares of Lee Enterprises surged on the news, up nearly 40 percent before the market opened. It closed at $2.90, up 50 cents, a new 52-week high.

In addition to 30 daily newspaper and digital operations, BH Media Group includes 47 paid weekly newspapers with websites and 32 other print products.

The contract excludes management of BH Media TV assets, as well as Berkshire Hathaway's separate newspaper, The Buffalo News, Lee said.

Warren Buffett in a statement said: "I love our newspapers and am passionate about the vital role they serve in our communities. Although the challenges in publishing are clear, I believe we can benefit by joining efforts.

Lee Enterprises' growth in digital market share and revenue has outpaced the industry. Lee also has led the industry in overall innovation and performance, all while faithfully fulfilling its public trust as an indispensable source for local news, information and advertising.

Our missions and goals match exactly, our markets are similar, and we both have excellent managers. Operating to-

gether will strengthen both of us, and Lee is logical to lead the process."

Mary Junck, executive chair of Lee Enterprises, said in a statement, "Berkshire Hathaway has been a significant investor across our capital structures for years, most recently in the $94 million refinancing of our Pulitzer Notes, which we redeemed in 2015, two years ahead of schedule. Our relationship has been positive for both and has become a foundation for us to come together in this agreement."

She added: "This is an attractive strategic alliance for Lee, as it enables us to generate more cash flow, speed our debt reduction, enhance our industry leadership and further advance our abilities as we introduce our digital and print strategies at BH Media proper ties. Also, we are honored to be trusted

by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, among the most admired business icons in history. The publishing business is in transition, to be sure, but we remain positive about our future, as many print opportunities remain and digital audiences and revenue continue to grow and flourish."

Kevin D. Mowbray, Lee president and CEO, said the management agreement has an initial term of five years and that Lee will receive an annual fixed fee of $5 million plus a significant percentage of profits over benchmarks.

He said the operating framework gives Lee broad latitude to manage, while strategic decisions will be agreed upon jointly. He noted that BH Media will retain editorial control, consistent with Lee's policy of local editorial Decision-making.

May 1-3, 2019 President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield

Galena Gazette invests in new digital technology

Galena Gazette Publications Inc., has made a significant investment in its digital technology with the creation of a new website. The Galena-based publishing company which owns The Galena Gazette and also holds the contract to publish The Galenian, moved its website publishing platform to Creative Circle Media on Tuesday, June 19.

The investment means The Gazette can provide additional services to subscribers and business partners in more creative ways, noted P. Carter Newton, publisher.

Hillary Dickerson, editorÍž Jay Dickerson, advertising managerÍž and Newton began working on finding a company to develop the new website in January. After selecting Creative Circle Media, they involved the entire staff who looked at numerous websites of daily and weekly newspapers and monthly magazines.

The new technology also gives the company an opportunity to promote its website and e-edition in new ways.

Subscribers who have a username and password will see a different homepage than those who do not have a username and password or do not have a print or digital subscription.

In addition, all users will have the ability to access display and classified advertising, as well as submit news and classified advertising.

In addition to the e-edition, Newton said he's really thrilled with the mapping technology associated with the website, especially for use with garage sales.

"It's an opportunity to provide additional value at no additional expense," Newton noted.

Customers will also have a better experience placing classified advertising online and will now have the opportunity to pay online. There will be more options, including website mapping, and the ease of uploading photos for ads.

Another major improvement involves the process of registering a username and password for the site. It's now an automated process. The website now ties into The Gazette's circulation records.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

AROUND THE STATE

PRESS PEOPLE

BND to move print operations Laura Shaw is named publisher to Kansas City Star of Shaw newspapers The Belleville News-Democrat announced May 14 that it will move its print and packaging operations to the Kansas City Star, effective Aug. 18, 2018.

The BND's transportation and distribution operations will remain in Belleville.

Both local news media companies are owned by McClatchy.

Moving print and packaging operations will not affect newspaper delivery times for subscribers and readers of the Belleville News-Democrat.

Jeffry Couch, editor and general manager of the BND, announced the decision at a meeting of production employees May 14.

"This was a difficult business decision we reached after much discussion and deliberation about our options and alternatives," Couch said. "We concluded that printing at the Kansas City Star is the best choice for the future of the BND and provides the company with long-term cost savings as we continue transitioning to digital.

"As reader habits evolve and our audience consumes news and information increasingly on smartphones, outsourcing our print production to our sister company in Kansas City became the most cost effective alternative," Couch said.

The 24 full- and part-time print production team affected by the move will receive benefits including severance payments, the extension of company-subsidized health benefits and outplacement services provided in partnership with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Employment Security and St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Workforce Development.

The Rapid Response Program services offered to Belleville News-Democrat colleagues will include one-on-one counseling services, help with resume writing, information on training and apprenticeship programs offered, job placement programs, continuing education options and support filing for unemployment.

15

Laura Shaw has been named publisher of the Daily Chronicle, MidWeek and Valley Life newspapers, Shaw Media announced.

In addition to serving as publisher of the company's DeKalb publications, Shaw also will be publisher of its expansive portfolio of weekly newspapers in the Chicago suburbs, including the Shaw Kane County Chronicle newspapers, Suburban Life newspapers in Cook and DuPage counties, and the Record newspapers in Kendall County.

Shaw is a 14-year veteran of the news publishing industry, most recently working as the Director of Marketing and Specialty Publishing at Shaw Media. Her previous role was as general manager of Suburban Life and Kane County Chronicle. She also worked for Sun-Times Media in her career.

She lives in Plainfield with her husband, Tom, and two sons.

Brenden Moore joins SJ-R Brenden Moore joined the staff of the State Journal-Register in Springfield as a full-time reporter, effective June 18.

Since January, Moore had covered the Statehouse for the SJ-R as an intern in the University of Illinois Springfield's Public Affairs Reporting program. While there, he covered the many gun bills being debated, several other legislative topics Moore and assisted in coverage of the March primary elections. In May, Moore received his master's degree in the program.

Moore will be focusing on coverage of our local business community, economic development issues and the state's economy. He is from suburban Chicago and is a graduate of DePaul University in Chicago.

Steve Vanisko named Herald-News publisher Steve Vanisko will lead The Joliet Herald-News and other Joliet-based Shaw Media business operations as publisher.

Vanisko is a lifelong Joliet resident who graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1982 and the University of Saint Francis in 1986.

He started with The Herald-News in DecemVanisko ber 1986 as an account executive and has spent his entire

career with The Herald-News and its affiliated publications, except for seven months in 2013 when he worked in Ottawa.

He and his wife, Sue, have two grown children. Vanisko's community involvement includes participation in the following groups/organizations: Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, Will County CED, Joliet Rotary, Joliet Park Foundation and Joliet Catholic Academy.

Shaw Media has owned The Joliet Herald-News since January 2014.

Brian Turner to lead Wayne County Press Brian “Weez” Turner, 39, who has served 13 years as sports editor of the Wayne County Press, has been elevated to the position of editor at the 153-year-old newspaper.

The staff change was announced by Press Publisher Tom Mathews Jr. Mathews has simultaneously held the editor’s position since the early 90s.

Turner grew up in Turner Clay County, the son of Cliff Turner of Clay City and Linda Griffin, who now lives in North Carolina. He graduated from Flora High School where he played

football, baseball and ran track.

He later graduated from Eastern Illinois University, with a business degree in administrative information systems. He worked briefly in radio before taking a reporter position and eventually becoming managing editor at the Clay County Advocate-Press.

Shortly after, he was hired onto the Wayne County Press staff.

It is a relatively short list of journalists who have served as editor at the Press. Turner is just the seventh editor of the Press, which began publication in 1866. Mathews took over for the late Jack Vertrees, who assumed the position from the late T. O. Mathews, Tom’s father.

Herald-News names Soucie sports editor, Goss retires The Herald-News has named Steve Soucie its new sports editor. Soucie replaces longtime Herald-News sports editor Dick Goss, who retired June 30 after 35 years with the paper.

Soucie was the sports editor at The Daily Journal in Kankakee from 2011 to 2016. He started at The Daily Journal as a sports correspondent in 1991, Soucie when he still was a stu-

dent at St. Anne High School. He returned to the paper in 1996 to work as a sports writer and was promoted to assistant sports editor in 1998.

Soucie is a 1995 graduate of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, where he majored in communication. Soucie has also worked as a radio broadcaster and color analyst for The Ticket, 105.5 FM in Kankakee, calling local high school football and basketball games and as a statistician and contributing writer for Pro Football Weekly.

16

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

PRESS PEOPLE

Southern Illinois Editorial Association names North County News' Victor Sr. and Trudie Mohr as Master Editors At the Southern Illinois Editorial Association meeting held on June 1 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Victor Mohr Sr., and his late wife, Gertrude “Trudie” Mohr, were named as this year’s recipients of the Master Editor Award.

North County News Editor Mary Koester, who was voted in at that meeting as the SIEA vice president, had the honor of presenting the award.

The following is her Mohr speech from the awards ceremony.

“The North County News started publication on March 26, 1959.

The News covers the northern part of Randolph County, Illinois and is currently located at 124 South Main Street in Red Bud. “Many things have changed over the years at the News – the location, the editor, the way the paper is set up, and more – but one thing has been

constant, the Mohr family.

“Gertrude 'Trudie' Mohr married Victor Mohr in 1949. She was a former bookkeeper for the Chester Herald Tribune, Evansville Enterprise and Red Bud Pilgrim for Koenemam & File, as well as office manager of the Red Bud Pilgrim. Vic helped run his family’s plumbing business, Mohr Plumbing and Heating, after returning home from serving in the U.S. Navy. He took over the plumbing business in 1972, and in 1993 he sold the plumbing business to his son.

“When the North County News was founded in 1959, Trudie was named the society editor and soon after, she purchased half interest in the paper.

In 1976, Vic and Trudie purchased Olin Kettlekamp’s share of the paper, becoming the full owners. Trudie then became the managing editor.

The pair briefly attempted to launch a second paper, the South County News, in southern Randolph County, but it was not as successful.

“Trudie passed away on Nov. 24,

1990, at the age of 59, following a three-month illness. Vic has continued on as owner and publisher of the News, a position he still holds today.

“Trudie and Vic were, and still are, active members in their community.

“Trudie was a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ in Red Bud, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 3553, both of Chester, the Illinois Press Association and the Southern Illinois Editorial Association. She was a past board member of St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud, a past youth adviser at St. Peter Church, a past president of the VFW Auxiliary Post 6632 in Red Bud and a district office holder of VFW Auxiliary District 14.

“Vic was one of 74 men to sign the original charter for Red Bud VFW Post 6632. He was also named the Red Bud Citizen of Achievement in 2013. He is currently a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ in Red Bud, VFW Post 6632, the Southern Illinois Editorial Association and the Illinois Press Association. To this

day, he continues his support and dedication of the Red Bud community through donations to the churches, schools, organizations and various fundraisers.

“Vic and Trudie grew quite a family – with three grandchildren, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

And of course, many News employees that were treated like family.

“Vic will celebrate his 93rd birthday this October. He still comes in to work at the News every day, even on the days that the office is closed.

“I never had the pleasure of actually meeting Trudie, but have heard many wonderful things about her.

“I would also like to note that Vic is one of the best bosses to work for, so it is especially an honor to present him and Trudie, this year’s Southern Illinois Editorial Association Master Editor Award.”

Mohr was surprised by the award, but thanked all for recognizing Trudie and himself with the award.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

17

PRESS PEOPLE

Jim Shrader, long-serving publisher of The Telegraph (Alton), has announced his intent to retire, effective Oct. 1.

Shrader announced his decision to management and staff in a meeting the morning of May 30.

"I started my newspaper career in 1979 and Shrader have witnessed changes in the media landscape that no one would have imagined back then," Shrader said. "It has been a great

Telegraph publisher Jim Shrader to retire

ride."

The duties of publisher of The Telegraph will transition to Denise Vonder Haar, publisher of The (Edwardsville) Intelligencer. She will retain that position as well.

"Jim has had a long and successful career in local media. His deep knowledge of the industry and the Alton market has been an invaluable asset since Hearst purchased The Telegraph last August.

We are also fortunate that he has agreed to help us with the leadership transition to Denise over the course of the next few

months," said Jeff Bergin, vice president vertical strategy development for Hearst Newspapers, parent company of The Telegraph and The Intelligencer.

In addition, Hearst Newspapers also owns the Journal-Courier in Jacksonville.

Shrader joined The Telegraph as advertising director in 1989. He was promoted to publisher of the then-sister newspaper, The Times-Reporter in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he served for six years. He was promoted to publisher of The Telegraph in June 1998.

"I am proud to be the longest-serving publisher of The Telegraph since the Cousley and McAdams families sold The Telegraph in the mid-1980s," he said. "In my career here, I have worked for five corporate owners, four as publisher. It is time to wind it down."

Over the next months, Shrader will continue his work with The Telegraph and continue serving roles in area organizations, including the RiverBend Growth Association and the Illinois Press Association, as he prepares for retirement.

Croessman Square dedicated Hundreds turn out to honor longtime Du Quoin editor and reporter

John Croessman Square was dedicated in downtown Du Quoin on the evening of June 14, in a simple ceremony that paid homage to a man and career, and introduced a new public space.

The plaza, transformed in a few short weeks from an empty lot vacant since the historic Higgins Jewelry building was torn down several years ago to an

intimate gathering place, is surrounded by a wrought iron fence with lights crisscrossing overhead.

Mayor Guy Alongi said the square, completed by local workers and craftsmen and women, will be used by generations of Du Quoin residents going forward, for wedding and prom photos, summer parties, concerts and more.

And by the large "C" on the gate, and

Barb Croessman gets her first look at the plaque honoring her husband.

the plaque next to the entrance, everyone will know for whom it is named.

Croessman, recovering from a series of strokes that interrupted his 43-year career as reporter and editor for the Du Quoin Evening Call, was not at the dedication.

He was well represented by more than 100 friends and colleagues and by lots of family, including Barb Croessman, John's wife and author of the "Harking Back" column in the Call, and Allen Croessmann, John's older brother, who flew in from New Jersey.

Croessmann, who insists with a smile that the double "nn" he uses is the genealogically correct version of their surname, in the 1960s preceded John as editor of the Du Quoin High School newspaper, the Magnavox. But John was the true journalist, he said.

"He has been such a strong advocate of this community," Croessmann said.

"Sometimes, he had to write about tough things. He was always a straight shooter and he felt the city deserved the unvarnished truth. But he has been such a big supporter of local causes. He is in his element when he can promote the virtues of his hometown the downto-earth heroes of this city.

"John," added his brother, "is my hero."

The square, said Alongi, will be available free to people who want to use it,

whether to host an event like the city's second Farm to Table dinner coming on July 12 or just sit and chat. Seven or eight concrete pillars standing 5½ feet high will be installed with LED lighting inside. Benches will be added and money will be raised for a fountain in the northeast corner, he added.

Alongi estimates loosely the fountain will cost about $5,000. The first $2,000 was donated the night of June 14 by Allen Croessmann.

The Rev. Gary Darnell, of Spirit of Life Church, opened the dedication with a simple prayer, thanking God "for John Croessman and what he means to this community."

State Rep. Terri Bryant, of Murphysboro, read House Resolution 1123, which she introduced on the House floor in Springfield, a touching piece honoring Croessman and his dedication to local news.

Pat Ferrari, a longtime friend and colleague, read the official resolution dedicating John Croessman Square, and noted that "John and I go back 50 years."

She joined the Du Quoin High School teaching staff and was sponsor of the Magnavox the year Croessman took over as editor. They have remained close ever since.

"I have a great deal of love and respect for John," she said.

18

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

Heintzelman named general manager at Sauk Valley Media Advertising director takes over daily leadership role at its newspapers Having led the advertising department at Sauk Valley Media for several years, Jennifer Heintzelman now has taken on a broader leadership role.

Mid-May, Shaw Media announced Heintzelman had been appointed general manager at Sauk Valley Media and its associated publications, including the Telegraph and Daily Gazette.

Heintzelman Heintzelman will manage the day-to-day operations at Sauk Valley Media's offices in Sterling and Dixon.

She also will continue to be group advertising director for the Telegraph and Daily Gazette, Ogle County Newspapers, and Prairie Advocate.

According to Chief Executive Officer of Shaw Media John Rung, Heintzelman's appointment as general manager was part of the company's effort to ensure strong local leadership and effective community engagement.

Don Bricker remains publisher of Sauk Valley Media, in addition to being vice president of operations for Shaw Media. He rejoined Shaw Media in May 2017.

"Jen is an outstanding leader in our company and in the community," Bricker said. "I am confident she will bring great energy and enthusiasm, along with a passion for the community, to her new role."

Heintzelman has been with Sauk Valley Media since 2006, first as sales manager before being promoted to advertising director and group advertising director. She previously worked as an account executive at Life Newspapers (1993-1999), Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspapers (1999-2002) and Sun Times News associate publisher of Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspapers from 2003 to 2006.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

PRESS PEOPLE

Herald-Whig names Jason Lewton new executive editor, Andrew Drea news editor; photographer retires Jason Lewton has been named executive editor of The Herald-Whig, replacing Don Crim, who retired in January.

Ron Wallace, vice president of newspapers for Quincy Media Inc. and publisher of The Herald-Whig, announced the appointment, effective May 13.

In that role, Lewton will be responsible for the news and editorial content of the newspaper and other special publications. He also will oversee the day-to-day operations of the award-winning Lewton Herald-Whig newsroom staff and serve on the newspaper's editorial board.

"Jason has been a pillar in the newsroom since he started at The Herald-Whig," Wallace said.

"He not only recognizes Drea what we do here, but he lives it. He understands what an important service The Herald-Whig provides, and he ensures that it lives up to its name and its history."

Lewton, 41, is a native of the region.

He joined The Herald-Whig in March 2013 as a copy editor and page designer. He also served as copy desk chief, news editor and managing editor for the newspaper.

His work at The Herald-Whig has produced numerous awards. He has played a key role in the development of magazines and other special publications, as well as helping to direct coverage of some of the biggest stories in the region.

Lewton began his career at the Pike Press in Pittsfield. He later worked as a page designer and later night editor for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, as design editor for the Alton Telegraph, as a visual editor for the Times of Northwest Indiana, and as a lead designer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

He also served as art director for Missouri Lawyers Media.

"I'm driven by a desire to put news stories into the context of the lives of our readers," Lewton said. "To me, that means being fast, accurate and responsive. We want to be first, but we also want to be right. And we never can lose sight of letting people know how the news affects them.

"Journalists should be engaged with their community, and the community should be engaged with the newspaper.

Both need each other to grow."

Early June, Lewton announced the appointment of Andrew Drea to news editor, effective June 3.

As news editor, Drea will oversee the newspaper's news reporting and photo staffs, and will be responsible for The Herald-Whig's award-winning local news coverage.

Lewton said Drea's appointment will help drive a fresh and innovative approach to the newspaper's reporting effort.

Drea joined The Herald-Whig staff in September 2016 as a copy editor and page designer. In that role, he has been instrumental in the planning and execution of several notable projects, including the Heroes and Answer Book publications.

Before working at The Herald-Whig, Drea worked for Gatehouse Media and the Journal-Courier in Jacksonville.

He is a graduate of Monmouth College, and he has a master's degree in sociology from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

Herald-Whig photographer Mike Kipley celebrated his 35 years of service to the newspaper on June 29 during a retirement party for Kipley at The Herald-Whig. Kipley, whose last day at the paper was June 29, had been covering news, sports and politics for The Herald-Whig since 1983.

Moss joins Republic-Times staff James "Tal" Moss, 21, of Belleville, has joined the Republic-Times newspaper staff as a reporter.

Moss graduated in May from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with degrees in mass communications and applied communication studies with a 4.0 grade point average.

Moss While at SIUE, Moss was a recipient of the John Regnell Media Law and Policy Award, Judy Landers Creativity in Media Award, and multiple scholarships.

He served as an intern at the Edwardsville Intelligencer and AdVantage News while attending SIUE. An Eagle Scout, Moss said that in his spare time he enjoys watching movies, reading books, playing video games and spending time with friends.

O'Fallon Weekly introduces staff reporter and photographer Annabelle Knef The O'Fallon Weekly welcomed Annabelle Knef as a staff reporter and photographer early June.

Knef, a 2018 graduate at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), will be covering a variety of topics throughout O'Fallon and surrounding areas.

Knef attended Shiloh Elementary School, ShiKnef loh Middle School and graduated from O'Fallon Township High School (OTHS) in 2014.

In May of 2018, Knef received her bachelor of arts in print journalism from the Meek School of Journalism and also graduated with a minor in sociology.

During her time at Ole Miss, Knef became part of the University's newspaper, the Daily Mississippian. At the Daily Mississippian, Knef became a news reporter and also contributed to the newspapers' website, TheDMOnline.com.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

19

OBITS

John Foreman: 'The quintessential newspaperman'

by Paul Wood The News-Gazette, Champaign

Prize-winning reporter, editor and publisher John Foreman died June 30 at age 65.

“John embodied all the qualities of the quintessential newspaperman. His keen news judgment, outstanding writing and editing abilities, and passion for the truth were the engines that drove the newsroom to be consistently recognized as among the best in the state,” said News-Gazette Media Chief Executive Officer John Reed, who in 2014 succeeded Foreman as publisher of The News-Gazette.

A past chairman of the Illinois First Amendment Center, Foreman served as president of the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Associated Press

Editors. He was a former chairman of the Mid-America Press Institute and a Society of Professional Journalists project on access to government called “Project Sunshine.”

The editor emeritus of The News-Gazette was the first recipient of the James C. Craven Award for Freedom of the Press from the Illinois Press Association, and only the second recipient of the Illinois AP Editors Lincoln League of Journalists award.

In 2006, he was named Illinois Journalist of the Year by the faculty at Northern Illinois University.

A collector of fountain pens and advocate of cursive writing, Foreman was at a pen collectors’ meeting in St. Louis when he passed away.

Recovering from a stroke in March, he seemed re-energized when he visited

At the IPA's 2016 Annual Convention & Trade Show, then IPA Board of Director's Outgoing President Sam Fisher and John Beck, retired executive editor of The News-Gazette, present The News-Gazette Editor Emeritus John Foreman (center) with a Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes IPA members for their exceptional service, involvement and support of the IPA, the Illinois Press Foundation and the Illinois First Amendment Center.

The News-Gazette newsroom just two days prior to his death.

Foreman graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1970, marrying Sharon Koeberlein in 1972.

“He worked himself up from the bottom of the ladder at The News-Gazette, starting as a part-time reporter on weekends and eventually become the newspaper’s publisher,” said a close friend, News-Gazette columnist Jim Dey. “His rise was based solely on merit. His commitment to quality journalism was total.”

Foreman graduated from the University of Illinois in 1977, and immediately joined the staff as a reporter. Four years later, he was named night city editor, then city editor. He became managing editor in 1985, and editor-in-chief the next year.

He was promoted to publisher in 2003.

On being named employee of the year, Foreman was cited for “maintaining the difficult balance between meaningful, aggressive journalism and good community relations.”

News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich said of Foreman: “He fights for The News-Gazette and Champaign County because he passionately believes in preserving the legacy and wishes of the (founding) Stevick family in the importance of an informed public served by a free press and in serving the people of Champaign County, who are his neighbors and his customers.”

One of the few News-Gazette employees to precede the publisher at The News-Gazette is veteran sportswriter Loren Tate.

“John Foreman was a giant in our business, not only because of the brilliant, incisive column that he wrote, but because of his ability to lead The News-Gazette through choppy waters in his years as publisher,” Tate said.

“He was particularly instructive on local issues. But those at the newspaper recognized him as trustworthy in making critical decisions for the benefit of all.

“For me, he was a close friend who repeatedly gave me excellent advice. I respected John Foreman as much as any man in the community.”

On June 30, Reed recalled a conversation he had with the local journalism icon upon being named Foreman’s successor three-and-a-half years ago.

“I told John that I would do my best to replace him but would never be able to fill his shoes,” Reed said. “Those words remain true today.

“Coincidentally, it was exactly 10 years ago today that I began working for John.

In the ensuing decade, I had the privilege of working with an industry great who was equal parts mentor and friend.

It’s a sad day for anyone who knew John, whether personally or through his many columns over the years. He will be sorely missed.”

See FOREMAN on Page 22

20 ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

Zacharias Burton Zacharias Burton – Zack to family and friends, and he had many of both – never stopped learning throughout his long life. He was a son, a brother, a loving husband, a father to many, a good neighbor, and a dedicated citizen. He was a member of The Voice Newspapers (Chicago) family for more than a quarter of a century as an ad salesman, distribution coordinator, business adviser, and dear friend.

Burton died Friday, June 8. He was 92.

Burton was father to more than 25 children, some his own, some foster children placed in his care.

Burton was married to Carol, the love of his life, for 43 years. As a foster parent, Burton loved the challenge – and noise – of a house full of children.

He was so highly esteemed as an expert at raising children that he headed the State Foster Parent Advisory Association for many years. In this role, he worked to assure that the state provided medical and mental health services for foster children with physical, psychological, emotional and behavioral problems.

Burton and his tribe of foster children from throughout the mid-Austin community delivered newspapers and sold ads. The Austin Voice sent Burton and several of his children to the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., where they took pictures, recorded interviews, and wrote reports for the newspaper.

Even after Zack and his family moved from their house on Central Avenue in Austin to Pembroke Township near Kankakee, Burton stayed active selling ads for The Voice and maintaining friendships on Chicago's West Side.

His good judgment and leadership skills were discovered in his new hometown and he was elected a trustee for several terms. He rejected pressure to run for Mayor, saying he was just too old, but he remained a trusted adviser and elder statesman to elected officials.

He also assisted his wife, Carol, in her endeavor to rejuvenate, expand, and modernize the Pembroke Library.

At the very end of his life, Burton was in hospice care. As he felt the end approaching, he demanded to return home where he died peacefully surrounded by family members.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

OBITS

Richard D. Brautigam Richard D. Brautigam, 85, of Decatur, died May 11.

Born Dec. 27, 1932, in Salem, Ohio, to Chester M. and Martha (Middleton) Brautigam, Brautigam served with distinction as an officer in the U.S. Air Force before embarking on a newspaper career that led him to Decatur.

He served as managing editor of the Decatur Herald & Review until 1990.

Brautigam, known to his family, friends and colBrautigam leagues as Dick, moved to Decatur in 1962 when he was recruited by Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers as a sports reporter. He was promoted to Sunday editor in 1963, then managing editor of the morning Decatur Herald and the afternoon Decatur Daily Review. His tenure as Managing Editor extended through the 1979 merger of the two papers into the Herald & Review upon its purchase by Lee Enterprises.

Brautigam was proud to have mentored many young reporters and to have served during an era when both newspapers were at their peak in circulation. He was a member of the Associated Press Media Editors and was one of the journalists present in Orlando, Fla., when President Richard Nixon gave his historic "I'm not a crook" speech in 1973.

A newspaper job may have brought Brautigam to Decatur, but love and marriage would make Decatur his home.

Brautigam married Charlyn Beauford at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Decatur on Feb. 27, 1965. They met in the newsroom. Together they raised two daughters, Marta Ellen and Charla Rose. Marta and Charla each followed in their parents' footsteps and became newspaper reporters.

Brautigam began his journalism career as a reporter for the Dayton Daily News in Ohio and later worked as sports editor for his hometown Salem News.

Though he would spend the rest of his life in Illinois, Brautigam's Ohio roots made him a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team and Ohio State Buckeyes football and basketball teams.

Brautigam graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1955 with a degree in journalism after serving as managing editor of his college newspaper.

After college, Brautigam was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1955. He earned his navigator wings and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command in Plattsburgh, N.Y., flying B47 Bomber reconnaissance missions over Communist countries during the Cold War. Later in life, he would travel to China and Russia and see at street level some of the sites he once mapped at high altitude. Brautigam attended survival school at Stead Air Force Base in Reno, Nev., and after three years of active duty between the Korean and Vietnam wars, he entered the Air Force Reserve with the rank of captain.

After a long newspaper career, Brautigam left print media in 1990 to accept a position in the legal section of the Department of Professional Regulation in Springfield. He retired in 1997.

In retirement, Brautigam, his wife and daughter would enjoy annual springtime visits to Paris, France, for many years.

Brautigam is survived by his wife of 53 years, Charlyn, his daughter Charla Brautigam-Robaugh and her husband of Frankfort, Ill. He was preceded in death by firstborn daughter Marta Ellen Brautigam-Margolis and unborn twin grandchildren, Lauren and Daniel, in 1997.

Also surviving are his brother Fred (Bonnie) Brautigam, sisters Janet Zeh, Shirley Brautigam and Carol Roher, all of Salem, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Warren Watson Journalist, author and educator Warren Watson, a former executive editor of The Telegraph (Alton), died May 27 of pneumonia and complications related to diabetes, according to his former wife. He was 67.

Watson died at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, Maine, where he had been hospitalized on and off since mid-December. Watson was a veteran journalist and educator who worked Watson for a variety of news organizations, journalism associations and higher learning institutions across the U.S., in addition to working at the Portland Press Herald in the late 1980s to the mid-‘90s.

Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz, who was sports editor during Watson's tenure as managing editor, called him a consummate journalist.

"He was serious about his work, but he was one of the friendliest editors you'd ever work with," Nemitz said, adding that they remained close friends after Watson left the paper.

"Even when he found himself getting older in an industry that was in decline, he was so determined to stay engaged in journalism. He kept reinventing himself."

One of Watson's first editing jobs was at the Peabody Times in Massachusetts in the early 1980s. He then became graphics editor and art director at the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, widely regarded in the industry as one of the country's top newspapers.

He took over as managing editor of the Press Herald in 1988 and held that position for seven years until taking over the top editing position at the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and Morning Sentinel in Waterville until 1998.

Watson was 44 in September 1995 when he was named executive editor of the two newspapers.

Watson left Maine to become vice president of the American Press Institute, an Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit that assists newspaper pub-

See WATSON on Page 23

JULY-AUGUST 2018

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

21

Cliff Wirth Cliff Wirth was a longtime Chicago-area cartoonist who produced illustrations for the Chicago Sun-Times and for the quarterly newsletter of the nonprofit Citizens Utility Board.

Wirth, 91, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease May 8 at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass., said his daughter, Patricia Moody.

Wirth He had moved to Massachusetts in 2010 from the North Shore suburbs. Born Clifton Wirth in Pittsburgh, Wirth grew up in New Jersey and studied at Michigan State University before serving as a mechanic in the Army Air Force. He subsequently used the GI bill to get a degree from Meinzinger Art School in Detroit.

In 1950, the Detroit Times newspaper hired Wirth in its art department. He worked there until the Times folded in 1960.

For the next 19 years he worked as a freelance artist, producing cartoons for a variety of organizations, including the Detroit News newspaper, Michigan Beverage News and Michigan Catholic magazine. Wirth eventually moved with his family to Illinois, and in 1979, he joined the Sun-Times as a cartoonist, specializing in producing single-panel gag cartoons.

In the spring of 2000, Wirth started producing cartoons for CUB's quarterly newsletter, the CUB Voice, Chilsen said.

Wirth retired from the Sun-Times in early 2002 but continued producing cartoons for the CUB Voice until retiring in 2015. Outside work, Wirth enjoyed sculpting, first in clay and then in papier-mâché. He had begun sculpting at the North Shore Community Center in Evanston.

Moody said her father constantly had a sketch pad in hand, and frequently would stop to watch something going on and start sketching.

Wirth published several books, including "Hockey Laffs," which was a set of cartoons about youth hockey that was published in 1971; "More Hockey

Laffs," which came out in 1974; and "Stickball, Streetcars and Saturday Matinees," a 1995 book of cartoons about growing up in Bayonne, N.J., during the Depression. The final book was published by Reminisce magazine, for which Wirth also contributed occa-

sional drawings.

After moving to New England, Wirth continued drawing, producing sketches at events like his local church's picnics, Moody said. "He literally didn't stop drawing until seven or eight months ago," she said.

Wirth's wife of 50 years, Lois, died in 2001 and a son, Brian, died in 2008.

In addition to his daughter, Wirth is survived by two other daughters, three sons, 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

You have questions.

We have answers.

Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois Independent wholesalers providing a diversity of products for consumers and means for new brands to enter the market.

Q

uestions about school law, finance, policy, or other management issues?

www.iasb.com

Contact Robert L. Myers with questions about beer distribution. myers@abdi.org 217-528-4371

217/528-9688

Got Trucking Questions?

Need Answers?

If you have one and need the other, contact us!

Don Schaefer Executive Vice-President

(217) 525-0310

dons@mid-westtruckers.com

Illinois Press Association Government Relations Legal & Legislative Josh Sharp, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer jsharp@illinoispress.org

217-241-1300 www.illinoispress.org

Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association

FREE Pre-publication HOTLINE for IPA members only:

217-544-1777 Have a legal question regarding a story?

Ask Attorney Don Craven first.

www.imawa.com oving! about m we know

932 South Spring Street, Springfield IL 62704 Phone 217-585-2470 Toll free phone 888-791-2516 Email: imawa@imawa.com Since 1953

To advertise in PressLines, contact Jeffrey Holman at 217-241-1700

22 ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018

FOREMAN

Gerald E. 'Jerry' Ostermueller

OBITS

Continued from Page 19 Foreman loved journalism, saying in an interview last summer upon being named editor emeritus: “I had several jobs — mostly bad — before becoming a latecomer to journalism.

“I thought it would offer a good foundation for studying law,” he added. “But I couldn’t really afford to go to law school, and once I got a taste of newspapers in my mouth, I never looked back. I just loved everything about it, loved it all — the challenge, the mission, the spirit, the people. But I think I mostly loved the action. When you’re at a newspaper, you’re in the middle of everything.”

Dey said Foreman was the spirit of the newspaper.

“People like to criticize their hometown newspapers. But any reasonable person comparing The News-Gazette to other newspapers in similarly-sized communities can see that their newspaper is head and shoulders above most, if not all, of the rest,” Dey said. “That’s testimony to John’s constant emphasis on doing our best.

“He was a natural leader who made it a pleasure for those of us in the newsroom and the rest of the paper to follow.”

Rose M. (Gates) Beard

Rose M. (Gates) Beard, 77, of Hillsboro, died May 11 at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care in Hillsboro.

Beard was born March 29, 1941, in Hillsboro, the daughter of Willis Gilbert and Judith Ann (Rebman) Gates.

She married Howard Beard, and they later divorced.

She was a 1959 graduate of Hillsboro High School. She received her bachelor's degree in child and family and community service from Sangamon State University in Springfield. She Beard attended one year at the University of Illinois to work toward a master's degree in social work.

Beard was a correction counselor at Graham Correctional Center until her retirement in 2002. During her lifetime, she lived in Irving and Hillsboro, as well as Coffeen since December of 1965. She wrote -"Rose Remembers" for The Journal-News in Hillsboro.

She is survived by three children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death Marilyn Rose Moon (nee Beland), by one great-grandchild, Remington Beach and two siblings.

81, of Lake Placid, Fla., died peacefully at home on June 8, 2018.

She was born Feb. 9, Charles Gordon Matthews, 70, died at 1937, in Kankakee, the home in Short Hills, N.J., on June 8. daughter of Oscar and Matthews was born in Danville and Cecile (nee Suprenant) had lived in Millburn-Short Hills for the Beland. Marilyn mar- past 33 years. ried George Edward Matthews started as a reporter for The Moon on Oct. 5, 1956. News-Gazette in 1970 and moved to New She had worked at Quak- York in 1974 to work as a reporter and er Oats and then worked editor for The American Banker. From Moon as the obituary editor at 1974-2001, he covered everything from The Daily Journal in Kankakee.

Bert Lance's bank fraud trial to the Latin Marilyn enjoyed spending time American debt crisis. with her family. Surviving are her After leaving the newspaper, he continhusband, three sons, two daughters, ued writing about business and finance five sisters, 13 grandchildren and six until his retirement. great-grandchildren. Preceding her in Gordon is survived by his wife, two death were her parents and a sister. children and a brother and sister.

Marilyn Rose Moon

Charles Gordon Matthews

Raymond J. Bendig

Raymond J. Bendig worked in the sports departments of the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, gaining a reputation for making sure mistakes never made it into the papers.

Bendig, 84, died of complications from a pituitary apoplexy on June 3 at the Avantara Park Ridge nursing and rehabilitation center in Park Ridge, said his son Ray. He had lived in Niles and before that in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood.

Born in Chicago, Bendig was the son of a railroad worker father and was raised on the West Side. He attended Resurrection grammar school and graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park before earning a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in 1956.

Bendig served for two years in the Army at Fort Lee in Virginia, where he worked for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. After his discharge, he returned to Medill and got a master's degree in journalism.

While at Medill, Bendig worked for Chicago's City News Bureau as part of an educational program. Bendig helped cover the December 1958 fire at Our Lady of Angels School, which claimed the lives of 92 pupils and three nuns, for City News.

Bendig took a reporting job in June 1959 at the Waukegan NewsSun. A couple of months later, Bendig joined the Tribune, where he worked as a copy editor, and covered high school and pro basketball and college football at varying times. He also occasionally filled in writing the "In the Wake of the News" sports column.

In 1967, Bendig left the Tribune to join the Sun-Times, where his role mostly was as a night makeup editor, working with the paper's printers.

Bendig retired from the Sun-Times in early 1997. Bendig also is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Helen; another son, Brian; two daughters, Alice and Marie; and seven grandchildren.

Gerald E. "Jerry" Ostermueller, 82, of St. Vincent Home, died Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at home.

Ostermueller was born in Quincy on March 21, 1936, a son of Edward and Eileen (Felsman) Ostermueller. He married Barbara Ann Varner on Dec. 26, 1957. She preceded him in death Ostermueller on April 11, 2018.

Ostermueller was a photographer for The Quincy Herald-Whig and he sold advertising for the Advisor publication.

He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. Ostermueller had served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He liked tinkering with motors and gardening. Ostermueller had some regular sayings that he was known for, such as: "that reminds me of a story…" and when asked how he was doing, he would generally reply: "finer than frogs' hair split and quartered."

Survivors include five children, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two daughters, Christine Bridgewater and Laura Ostermueller (in infancy).

William George Brandon

William George Brandon "Bill," age 68, died May 31 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, surrounded by his children.

Brandon was born on February 4, 1950, in Joliet, Ill., to Howard and Margaret (nee Wason) Brandon.

Brandon retired from the Herald Newspaper in 2011, as a graphic artist, with more than 30 years of Brandon service. He was an amazing artist, avid reader and an avid Chicago White Sox fan.

Brandon is survived by his three children, three grandchildren, the mother of his children and his siblings. Many nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law.

JULY-AUGUST 2018

LaTonya Stanley LaTonya Jean Stanley, 51, of Chrisman, Ill., died June 15, 2018, in the emergency room of Paris Community Hospital. She was a merchandiser for Driveline Retail for several years and had previously worked many years as the store manager of the Paris Dollar General store.

Stanley enjoyed photography and worked for many years as the photographer for the Chrisman Leader newspaper.

She loved being outdoors working in her yard, garden, and going camping.

Stanley Above all else, she loved spending time with her family and will be remembered as her children's biggest fan and supporter.

She was born Jan. 15, 1967, in Paris, Ill., the daughter of Freeland and Shirley (Stark) Maynard. She married Jamie Stanley on September 8, 2001, in Vermilion, Ill., and he survives.

Other survivors include her parents, six children, two brothers, two grandchildren and six nephews and nieces.

WATSON Continued from Page 20 lishers with audience engagement and revenue growth.

From there, he took a teaching position at Ball State University in Indiana, where he also directed J-Ideas, a nonprofit focused on developing and encouraging excellence in high school journalism. He earned a master's degree in journalism from Ball State, as well.

He went on to serve as executive editor of the nonprofit Society of American Business Editors and Writers – or SABEW – in Phoenix from 2009 to 2014, and he also taught journalism classes at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Watson returned to newspapers for an eight-month stint in 2015 as executive editor of The Telegraph.

ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

OBITS

Jay Bushinsky In his 1976 memoir, “To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account,” Saul Bellow wrote about journalist Jay Bushinsky, then with the Chicago Daily News.

They met on the Golan Heights in 1967, when Bellow, who would become one of Chicago’s most notable authors, was a Newsday correspondent.

As they sat chatting at Bushinsky the Tel Aviv Hilton, Bellow relates in his book, Bushinsky, “tells me that some time ago he was allowed by the Israeli authorities to cover a military operation. A minute island by the Red Sea was raided, the Egyptian garrison taken by surprise.

Bushinsky saw a sentry who had been cut down by machine-gun fire.

“He was a young boy, said Bushinsky. ‘Shot in the leg. Flesh hanging in tatters. Bleeding to death. I said to the commanding officer, ‘Can’t we do something for him?’ and he said, ‘First things first,’ so we went on. And he was right. I never saw the kid again. It stays with me.’”

Bushinsky died on May 2 at his home in Savyon, not far from Tel Aviv. He was 85. His death was because of complications from an infection, according to a son, Shay Bushinsky.

Bushinsky spent decades reporting from the Middle East for newspapers, including the Chicago Sun-Times, and radio and TV outlets. He covered the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, the Lebanon War, the Iranian Revolution and the Israeli angle of the two Gulf Wars.

On CNN’s very first day — June 1, 1980 — Bushinsky was part of the starting lineup.

As a 2015 CNN story noted, “Among the firsts that evening was Jay Bushinsky with the network’s ‘first live satellite transmission.’ He was reporting from Jerusalem on the Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin’s political

problems.”

Bushinsky started with the Daily News in 1966, staying with the paper until it folded in 1978.

Bushinsky moved over to the SunTimes (at the time both papers were owned by Field Enterprises) and became the Middle East Bureau Chief.

Bushinsky maintained a long relationship with his Chicago readers, returning each year to the city to speak to groups hungry for his analysis. He covered trips to Israel made by former Illinois governors Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar and other Chicago figures, as well as the mega issues facing the region and beyond.

Bushinsky was a 2002 inductee into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel on March 28, 2003.

After the Sun-Times closed its Middle East bureau in the mid-1990s, Bushinsky contributed columns to the paper through 2006.

Bushinsky was born Dec. 8, 1932, in Buffalo, N.Y. He received his undergraduate degree from Queens College, part of the City University of New York in 1954. He received a master’s from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1963.

He started at the Middletown, N.Y., Times Herald in 1964, then went to the Miami Herald before joining the Daily News foreign service ranks in Israel.

He also reported for the now-defunct Westinghouse and Infinity Broadcasting companies and other news outlets.

Survivors include his wife, Dvora, who he married in 1952 in Jerusalem; son Shay, an eight-time world computer chess champion with the Haifa University Computer Science Department; son Aviv, a former spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and now an executive with Onex, a Canadian investment firm; and a daughter, Dahlia, an attorney and coach of Israel’s national women’s basketball team.

23

Edward H. Armstrong Edward Armstrong, who worked for The State Journal-Register and its predecessor newspapers for nearly four decades, died May 21 at Concordia Village in Springfield. He was 91.

Born July 26, 1926 to Ethel and Huston Armstrong in Crossville, Ill., Armstrong spent most of his adult life in Springfield. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his five children, Kenton Armstrong Armstrong (partner, Lyn Stephens), Amy Green (husband, Mike Green), Laura Marks (husband, Mickey Marks), Alice Armstrong, and Tom Armstrong (wife, Madeleine Budnick); and three grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, Jim Armstrong and his wife, Sue; and many nieces and nephews.

Armstrong graduated from Illinois College in 1950 and began his career in journalism as a reporter for the Illinois State Register the same year. He retired as editor of The State Journal-Register in 1988.

During his years with Copley Press, he won many awards for his skillful and insightful writing while remaining humble. Always looking for opportunities to be helpful, he served in numerous civic positions and was instrumental in the development of the Friend-In-Deed holiday giving program.

Armstrong spent many Christmas seasons gathering donations for needy families and delivering them on Christmas Eve. Armstrong was a devoted husband and father, a conscientious and industrious journalist, and above all an honorable man.

FREE Pre-publication HOTLINE for IPA members only: 217-544-1777

Have a legal question regarding a story?

Ask Attorney Don Craven first.

24 ILLINOIS PRESSLINES

JULY-AUGUST 2018