BND recognized with 19 statewide awards, 6 first places and Reporter of the Year
The Belleville News-Democrat won 19 awards for journalism excellence Thursday, including six first place awards and Illinois Reporter of the Year, at the Illinois Press Association’s annual convention in Bloomington.
BND veteran journalist Teri Maddox was honored with the IPA’s Reporter of the Year Award. The award recognizes a reporter for producing outstanding local journalism in 2023, some of which received individual awards in this year’s competition.
Teri has been a professional reporter for about 40 years, joining the BND in 1990 as a feature writer and moving to news reporting in recent years. Her coverage responsibilities include Belleville government and community issues, among other topics.
BND journalists received awards in 13 individual categories. Here is a list of the work:
First place Knight Chair Award for Best Investigative/Enterprise Reporting, for Hazardous Homes, by BND reporter Lexi Cortes. “A relentlessly thorough investigation into how state and community health officials allowed raw sewage, mold and other environmental health issues to exist over years in Illinois communities.”
First place news reporting-single story for Police had been investigating Cox family of hunters in Freeburg for more than a month by BND reporter Teri Maddox. “Superbly documented and well-crafted story that not only covered the hunting violations by a well-known family but put into context the larger regulatory issues,” a contest judge wrote.
First place freedom of information for the challenges of reporting the investigative project Hazardous Homes, by BND reporter Lexi Cortes. “Despite facing major challenges, reporter Lexi Cortes pushed to get answers and detail the extent of the sewage issue affecting the health and homes of people in Cahokia Heights in an outstanding article,” a judge wrote. “...She filed FOIAs, read hundreds of pages of public records, interviewed residents and experts, visited damaged homes, attended community meetings, and analyzed thousands of water test results. Through her work, she amplified the voices of people who have been ignored and minimized for years.”
First place business/economic reporting for He’s made millions from video gambling in Illinois. Regulators want to revoke his license by BND reporter Teri Maddox. “...Good in-depth report.”
First place video journalism for Cahokia Heights and sewage flooding by BND photojournalist Joshua Carter. “A strong story, in text, video and presentation with revelatory content, strong images and distinct personalities that highlights a situation worth shining a light on,” a judge wrote. “Obvious care was placed in each shot, cut and the organizational flow of the video.”
First place distinguished coverage of diversity for ongoing coverage of Cahokia Heights and its struggles to get help with sewage and flooding issues by Lexi Cortes. “The Belleville News-Democrat’s watchdog coverage of the neglected Cahokia Heights community has resulted in officials calling on the CDC and health agencies to conduct a health assessment of the community. The BND’s comprehensive reporting includes in-depth interviews, video and visuals that focus on the people affected, not just infrastructure, agencies and numbers. Great job —everyone should be following what these journalists are doing.”
Second place, community service, for How does a 77-year-old homeowner with a disability end up living on Belleville’s streets by Teri Maddox. “Incredible tenacity in reporting to reveal an example of injustice for one who represents many in a system that get overlooked.”
Third place, community service, for the BND’s 2023 Voter Guide, by the BND staff team led by reporter Mike Koziatek.
Fourth place, community service, for Hazardous Homes by BND reporter Lexi Cortes.
Second place, news reporting-single story, He’s made millions from video gambling in Illinois. Regulators want to revoke his license, by BND reporter Teri Maddox
Third place, news reporting - single story, Madison County bus crash involved semis sitting on exit ramp. Why do truckers park there by BND reporter Lexi Cortes.
Third place, news-reporting series, for ongoing coverage of Cahokia Heights’ residents struggles with flooding of their neighborhoods and homes and the health crisis it has created, by BND reporter Lexi Cortes.
Third place, localized national story, for A priest scandal rocked the Belleville Diocese 30 years ago. How have things changed? By BND reporter Teri Maddox.
Second place, business/economic reporting, for Madison County bus crash involved semis sitting on exit ramp. Why do truckers park there by BND reporter Lexi Cortes.
Second place, feature writing, for US declares species once found in Illinois extinct. What does it mean for water quality by BND reporter Meredith Howard
Second place, photo series, for WATCH: Teachers, community greet East St. Louis students on first day of school by BND photojournalist Joshua Carter
Second place, spot news photo, Cahokia Heights police investigate apparent murder-suicide near state park, by BND photojournalist Joshua Carter
Third place, general news photo, National Night Out draws hundreds to Lincoln Park in East St. Louis by BND photojournalist Joshua Carter
This story was originally published June 7, 2024 at 11:36 AM.
