Southwest Regional Publishing took the top three spots in the General Excellence category for weekly newspapers and took home honors for Best Online advertisement at the Illinois Press Association convention in East Peoria last week.
Judges praised the Regional News for “page design that is easy to follow with clear separation between news and advertising,” “great variety of community news, sports and features,” and “nice photo selection.”
The paper, which covers Orland and Palos townships, claimed the award for the second consecutive year.
“We believe strong local news outlets are vital to strong neighborhoods and help support local businesses, SRP co-owner Mike Thiessen said. “Winning the General Excellence Award two years in a row is a statement to our team members, their commitment to our readers and advertisers.”
The Regional News won first place, The Reporter placed second, and the Greater Southwest News-Herald took third.
The judges evaluated a March 6, 2025, edition of the Regional that led with Orland Park’s village board approval of a major Amazon retail development. A companion piece tackled rising egg prices and how local restaurants were responding. A community feature captured Paczki Day at a local bakery. Inside, the paper profiled a local nurse honored for her work and ran detailed obituaries.
The Reporter serves Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, and Worth. Its July 10, 2025, edition led with state news made local — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias awarding library grants amid federal funding threats.
The Greater Southwest News-Herald, the “Voice of the Archer Avenue corridor since 1924,” anchored its Jan. 16, 2026, front page with resident-focused reporting on property-tax appeal help organized through local aldermen and the Cook County Board of Review.
Southwest Regional Publishing also took home the top prize for Best Online Advertisement. The “Amazing Cube” advertisment designed for Wintrust Sports Complex delivered six separate messages about the Bedford Park community center’s offerings, one engaging spin after another.