Where to enter

https://rockourawards.com/register

In the dropdown, for “Select State” choose: Illinois News Broadcasters Association

FYI: Large Market stations include Chicago and St. Louis. Small Market entries are for stations serving an Illinois audience outside of the Chicago/St. Louis metro markets. Entries can include border markets in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Indiana which have a signal in Illinois. Our awards platform is Rock Our Awards and payment is made through PayPal on the Rock Our Awards portal. You can also pay by check made out to “INBA Awards” sent to Tanya Koonce/INBA Treasurer, 1470 N. Main St. East Peoria, 61611.

Questions? Contact Contest Manager H Wayne Wilson: hwilson@mtco.com

Important deadlines

For work completed July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023

Entries accepted starting July 1, 2023

Finalists announced: August 2023

Awards presented: Sept. 9, 2023, at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Fall Convention in Urbana.

Price per entry

Large Market TV, $45

Small Market TV, $30

Large Market Radio, $35

Small Market Radio, $20

Categories

INBA Crystal Mic Award for Best Station (Large and Small Market Television and Radio):

Entry should contain parts of locally-originated, regularly-scheduled newscasts aired on any date during the contest period, minus commercials/PSAs. Other components may include separate examples of spot news, features and other work to showcase the overall performance of the news operation. Entry must contain a written overview that lists in bullet-point form descriptions of the included items. All entries should be as they appeared on air without additional voice-over or narration. Entries may be edited.

Time limit: 50 minutes for TV; 25 minutes for radio.

Entry Limit per Station: One

INBA Paul Davis Crystal Mic Award for Best Newscast (Large and Small Market Television and Radio):

Entry should include one locally-originated, regularly-scheduled newscast, minus commercials/PSAs on any date during the contest period.

Time limit: 25 minutes for Television and 15 minutes for Radio (after commercials/PSAs are removed)

Entry Limit per Station: One

INBA Crystal Mic Award for Best Reporter (Large and Small Market Television and Radio):

Entry must include at least three non-documentary stories broadcast during the contest period. Stories should demonstrate research and writing skills while also displaying initiative in reporting and performance. The entrant should be an individual who regularly handles daily assignments but may also handle occasional special assignments.

Time Limit: 25 minutes for Television and Radio

Entry Limit: None.

INBA Crystal Mic Award for Best Weather Operation (Large and Small Market Television Only):

Entry, minus commercials/PSAs, may include up to four weather blocks from at least two different individuals aired during the contest period. Presentations should demonstrate knowledge, performance and ability to present useful information to viewers.

Time Limit: 25 Minutes

Entry Limit per Station: One

INBA Crystal Mic Award for Best Digital Presence (Large and Small Market Television and Radio):

Judges will view a station’s website, social media feeds and apps. Judges will consider content, overall appearance, ease of navigation, success at building an online audience and community involvement. Station entries should include a listing of digital offerings and evidence of community engagement.

Other important information

• All entries must be submitted online.

• Entries must be submitted to www.rockourawards.com. Be sure to read the information on the home page concerning the entry process and appropriate file sizes and types.

• Create a profile (username and password) by clicking the “Register” button on the top of the homepage.  Complete the information, click submit and you’ll be taken to the Illinois News Broadcasters Association homepage. 

• From the homepage you can review awards rules, submit an entry, view and edit an entry, or edit your station’s information.

• To enter a category, click “Submit Entry” and fill in the information.  The headline/title should be what you would want shown on a plaque.

• Acceptable file formats to upload to the site are .mp3, .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .doc, docx, .wma, .pdf, .mp4, .wmv and .mov files.

• RockOurAwards.com requires video entries to be linked from YouTube, Vimeo, other video hosting sites, or a station website.  Simply copy/paste the videos URL in the “Add Link” section.     

• Special characters should be avoided in file names.  Stick with letters, numbers, &, dots, dashes and underscores, “NO # or apostrophes” 

• If you have questions, are running into trouble, or need to reset your password, email info@rockourawards.com or call 800-471-1875.

The INBA is thrilled to release the winners of our second annual INBA Crystal Mic Awards. The awards will be presented at our Fall Convention in Bloomington on Saturday, Oct. 8. To register, head to our Eventbrite link. You can also book a room at the Parke Regency Hotel and Conference Center at our group rate through Sept. 16. To book now, click here.

Small Market Radio

Best Station                          

1st place               WCBU-FM, Peoria                                              

2nd place              WNIJ-FM, DeKalb

Best Newscast                     

1st place               WGLT-FM, Normal                                              

2nd place              WLBK, DeKalb

Best Reporter                      

1st place               Joe Deacon, WCBU-FM, Peoria                                        

2nd place              Lyndsay Jones, WGLT-FM, Normal

Breaking News                     

1st place               WMBD, Peoria, “BioUrja Ongoing Disaster”                                  

2nd place              WILL, Urbana, “Rare December Tornado Hits Coles County”

Best Digital Presence         

1st place               WVIK-FM, Quad-Cities

2nd place              WNIJ.org/Hola, DeKalb

Investigative Report           

1st place               WNIJ-FM, DeKalb, Peter Medlin, “Water Woes”

2nd place              WIUM-FM, Macomb, Jane Carlson, “A One Hospital Town”

Sports Report                      

1st place               WILL, Urbana, “Women’s Basketball Hires Shauna Green As Head Coach”

2nd place              WIUM-FM, Macomb, Jane Carlson, “A National Champion”

Use of Sound                       

1st place               WTAX, Springfield, “Fair Fare”

2nd place              WVIK-FM, Quad Cities, “Do You Want To Work On The Railroad?”

Best Writing                         

1st place               WTAX, Springfield, Dave Dahl

2nd place              WNIJ-FM, DeKalb, Yvonne Boose

Large Market Radio

Best Station                          

1st place                WBBM-Chicago                                   

Best Newscast                     

1st place               WBBM-Chicago                                   

2nd place              WLS-Chicago

Best Reporter                      

1st place                Lisa Fielding, WBBM, Chicago                                          

2nd place              Eric Schmid, KWMU, St. Louis

Investigative Report           

1st place                KWMU, St. Louis, “Lack Of Tornado Safe Rooms For Metro East Warehouses”

Sports Report                      

1st place                WBBM, Chicago, “Sports Report with Jeff Joniak”

Use of Sound                       

1st place                KWMU, St. Louis, “This app lets you see what Cahokia Mounds looked like 1,000 years ago”

2nd place              WBBM, Chicago, Lisa Fielding

Small Market TV

Best Station                          

1st place               WREX-TV, Rockford                                            

2nd place              WCIA-TV, Champaign

Paul Davis Best Newscast                  

1st place               WREX-TV, Rockford                                            

2nd place              WGEM-TV, Quincy

Best Reporter                      

1st place                Mike Miletich, WGEM-TV, Quincy                                    

2nd place              Shelby Kluver, WQAD-TV, Moline    

Breaking News                     

1st  place              WGEM-TV, Quincy, “Firefighters Battle Fire And Ice”

2nd place              WIFR-TV, Rockford, “Jury Finds Floyd Brown Guilty Of Second Degree Murder”

Best Digital Presence         

1st place               WREX-TV, Rockford

2nd place              WMBD-TV, Peoria

Investigative Report           

1st place               WEEK-TV, Peoria, Kyle Beachy, “Panhandling in Peoria: How A Pandemic Has Fueled A Problem”

2nd place              WAND-TV, Decatur, Deron Molen/Eric Ahola, “Transferring Trauma”

Sports Report                      

1st place               WQAD-TV, Moline, “La Panterita”

2nd place              WEEK-TV, Peoria, “All-American Hometown Hero”

Use of Video                        

1st place               WQAD-TV, Moline, “John Deere Strike”

2nd place              WMBD-TV, Peoria, “Destination Illinois: Bob & Tom Excellent Adventures”

Best Writing                         

1st place               WIFR-TV, Rockford, Mike Garrigan

2nd place              WQAD-TV, Moline, Josh Lamberty

Best Weather Operation

1st place               WGEM-TV, Quincy

2nd place              WREX-TV, Rockford

Large Market TV

Best Station                          

1st place               KSDK, St. Louis                                    

2nd place              WLS-TV, Chicago

Paul Davis Best Newscast                  

1st place               KSDK, St. Louis                                    

2nd place              WLS-TV, Chicago

Best Reporter                      

1st place                PJ Randhawa, KSDK, St. Louis                                           

2nd place              Emily Manley, KTVI, St. Louis

Breaking News                     

1st  place               WGN, Chicago, “Oak Brook Mall Shooting”                   

Best Digital Presence         

1st place               WLS-TV, Chicago

2nd place              KSDK, St. Louis

Sports Report                      

1st place               KSDK, St. Louis, “Justin Hardy Story”

2nd place              WGN, Chicago, “Ukrainian Boxers”

Use of Video                        

1st place                KSDK, St. Louis, “Stone Carver”

Best Writing                         

1st place                KSDK, St. Louis, Mike Bush

Best Weather Operation

1st place                WLS, Chicago

For work completed July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022

Entries accepted starting July 1, 2022 at https://rockourawards.com/register

Entry Deadline: August 8, 2022

Awards presented: October 8 at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Fall Convention in Bloomington.

MORE AWARDS FAQs HERE

Categories for Station Entries:

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Station (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)

INBA Paul Davis Crystal Mic Award: Best Newscast (Large and Small Market Television

and Radio)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Weather Operation (Large and Small Market Television

Only)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Digital Presence (Large and Small Market Television and

Radio)

Categories for Individual Entries:

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Reporter (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Breaking News (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Investigative Report (Large and Small Market Television and

Radio)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Use of Sound – (Large and Small Market Radio)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Use of Video (Large and Small Market Television)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Writing (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)

INBA Crystal Mic Award: Sports Report (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)

ROCKFORD (INBA) – The Illinois News Broadcaster’s Association is pleased to announce its first in-person event since the pandemic.

“INBA members remained active and connected during the pandemic, but we know there is simply no substitute for the networking and lively engagement of an in-person convention. We are thrilled to gather safely in Rockford for a weekend to remember,” said INBA President and WNIJ News Director, Jenna Dooley.

Our fall convention will be in Rockford from Sept. 24-26 at the Embassy Suites.

REGISTER FOR CONVENTION HERE.

RESERVE HOTEL ROOM AT SPECIAL RATE HERE:

Details about our workshops, panels, and speakers are coming soon. On top of reconnecting with broadcast journalists across the state, there will be a ceremony for our first ever INBA Crystal Mic Awards.

The INBA Crystal Mic Awards will be presented at Saturday night’s banquet. Here are the award categories:

• Station of the Year
• Digital Presentation of the Year
• Reporter of the Year
• Weather Operation of the Year (TV Only)
• Radio Newscast of the Year and the Paul Davis TV Newscast of the Year

To enter to win, CLICK HERE.

We can’t wait to see you and catch up!

COVID-19 Precautions

We are asking all attendees to follow current CDC and IDPH guidelines for COVID-19.

Right now that means we’re asking unvaccinated attendees to wear a face mask during INBA gatherings.

Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals.

As you’ll read from those who knew him, his legacy is more than a resume.

Davis died of cancer over the weekend at 82-years-old, according to reporting by Robert Feder. He was born in Effingham, Illinois, and died at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Gibson City, Illinois.

Davis’ friends and former colleagues emphasized his relationships with people.

Feder’s article states,

“Jim Disch, longtime assistant news director under Davis, recalled: “My best years in the TV news business were those spent with Paul at WGN. He was instrumental in guiding the TV careers of many journalists, not just in Chicago, but across the nation.”

INBA spoke to longtime member, John Paul, Monday night. While Paul said he only worked for Davis for three years at WCIA, the two always reconnected at INBA conventions and recently kept in touch; talking on the phone every couple weeks for the past few years.

Paul said he always recognized Davis’ voice over the phone, “He had that voice that you just knew,” he said, “Paul had a very iconic voice.”

Paul said Davis used his talents to help others.

“Paul [Davis] had a knack for finding people with the right stuff, the potential, and let them do their thing.”

He said Davis knew how to find good people and push them to do better. As Feder reports, Davis advanced the careers of Steve Sanders, Joan Esposito, Jim Williams, Roseanne Tellez, Dan Roan, Allison Payne and Pat Harvey, among many others. He advised, coached and mentored even more.

Paul said journalism was in Davis’ DNA. His mother, Zona B. Davis, was the news director at WCRA 1090-AM from 1949-1978. “Unlike a police report, she always had detail where you’d go ‘where the hell did you find this’,” said Paul. He said Davis picked up on her skills.

When asked to describe Davis’ news philosophy, Paul said, “He loved politics, loved hard news stories,” he said, “[Davis] wanted to be first but also wanted to be accurate.” He called Davis a hard news guy who wasn’t big on fluffy stuff.

Feder reports that Davis moved up the ranks by starting at Georgetown College in Kentucky, then Baylor University in Texas, then earning a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a student at U of I, he joined the WCIA news department as an anchor-reporter in 1960. He became news director just seven years later. By 1980, he would be the news director at “Chicago’s Very Own” WGN-TV.

As Feder put it,

“… he oversaw the transformation of a mediocre news operation into what would become a ratings and reporting powerhouse. He served under five general managers. At his direction, WGN expanded the 9 p.m. weekday newscast to a full hour in 1983 and added newscasts at noon weekdays and on weekend mornings. He also opened the Tribune station group’s first Washington, D.C., bureau.”

While Davis made a name for himself in Chicago, Paul said, “he was still the same small town guy.”

Paul said Davis had a healthy sense of humor, even as the boss. He said sometimes Davis would tell the anchors a joke during commercial breaks and, “Would give you the punchline right before you came out of the break!”

With that spoonful of sugar, came some medicine. He said, “Paul could be very critical, but also he’d praise on you if you deserved it.”

Others who knew him, admired his ability to embrace work and play.

INBA board member, Mike Miletich, wrote on Twitter, “I spoke with him [Davis] at many Illinois News Broadcasters Association conventions, but my favorite moments were sessions he had with students. He always knew how to motivate young broadcasters and his laugh was contagious.”

Current Recording Secretary and former INBA President, Laura Trendle Polus, said on Facebook, “When I was president, he told me ‘You run a good meeting,’ and I was proud. He loved coming to visit at TV-10; talking to students in groups and mentoring one-on-one.”

“Paul Davis was a booming presence at WGN-TV and in life,” said Paul Rennie, vice president and general manager of WGN.

In conclusion Paul said Davis “was formed in the image of Walter Cronkite.”

The INBA will honor Davis’ contributions to journalism by naming its Crystal Mic Award for Best TV Newscast after him. The first Crystal Mic for Best TV Newscast will be awarded at the INBA fall convention in Rockford.

We’ll have several sessions throughout the day including a FOIA Tips and Tools workshop, a “Write Like You Talk” lesson, and our general business meeting. Though we will miss clinking our glasses in person, the convention wouldn’t be complete without a virtual happy hour (you don’t even have to tip the bartender!). We will also present our 2020 scholarship winners and SINBA award winners. This year, we’re ecstatic to present our largest scholarship checks in INBA history at $2,200 each. Scholarship finalists are being determined now and will be interviewed before four winners will be chosen. 

Whether you want to log in for a few minutes, an hour or two, or the whole day, INBA welcomes you! Stay tuned for a schedule of events. 

During our Spring Convention we usually have an awards ceremony for Illinois AP award winners. However, the AP Broadcasting Awards were discontinued. The good news is the INBA is launching its own contest: INBA Crystal Mic Awards. The INBA is excited to launch this prestigious celebration of the best broadcast journalists in Illinois. Our first awards will be presented at the INBA Fall Convention in Rockford. You can read more about the awards here. 

This convention is free for INBA members. Non-members can attend and become an INBA member for $25 through our virtual convention this spring. Our usual member dues are $35. 

You can register online now by clicking here.

MORE ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS 

Write Like You Talk! 

Award winning TV journalist Jeff Butera will lead this session. Butera has worked at ABC7 in Fort Meyers, FL. since 2012. He’s earned four Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and was named Best Reporter twice by the AP. Butera is known for being one of the authors of the latest edition of “Write Like You Talk”; a book to help broadcasters improve their writing. While he grew up in Florida, we’ll welcome him with open arms in Illinois since his station bio says he’s a Chicago Cubs fan! 

Like Butera’s book, this session is aimed at helping you finesse your writing and give you a chance to ask questions. 

FOIA Tips and Tools 

Jessica Huseman from Votebeat will lead this session. Votebeat is a non-profit newsroom covering voting rights, election administration, and redistricting. She is also an analyst for CNN and a former lead reporter for ProPublica’s Electionland project. Huseman will join us from Dallas, TX. to answer your FOIA questions and teach you new skills. In her LinkedIn bio she says, “I’m interested in boosting local journalism, making collaboration between newsrooms work and helping new reporters realize their potential.”

INBA Crystal Mic Categories: 

• Station of the Year
• Newscast of the Year
• Digital Presentation of the Year
• Reporter of the Year
• Weather Operation of the Year (TV Only)

There will be a first place “Crystal Mic” statue and second place plaque awarded in each category.

Important Deadlines:

For work completed January 1, 2020-June 30, 2021

Entries accepted starting July 1, 2021 at INBA.net

Entry Deadline: July 31, 2021                                      

Judging: August 1-20 (judging partners Iowa Broadcast News Association)

Finalists announced: early September

Awards presented: September 25, 2021 at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Fall Convention in Rockford.

Price per entry:

Large Market TV               $45

Small Market TV               $30

Large Market Radio         $35

Small Market Radio         $20

Specific entry instructions and rules for each category will be available in coming months at INBA.net. Follow us on our social media platforms for future announcements.

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

For questions, contact INBA Crystal Mic Contest Manager H Wayne Wilson at hwilson@mtco.com