For many years, INBA conventions served as host for the annual Illinois Associated Press awards. These competitive categories allowed us to share in the recognition and celebration of the impressive work of broadcasters who serve Illinois markets. It has been one of the highlights of our conventions.  

The Illinois Associated Press notified the INBA board this past winter that it would be discontinuing its statewide awards.

One of my first tasks as incoming INBA President was to determine if and how we would continue to provide a space to celebrate the accomplishments of broadcasters through an awards ceremony. 

There was quick interest in forming a new awards contest. There was also caution of the time, energy, and financial considerations to conduct an awards program. 

INBA formed and ad-hoc (now permanent) awards committee. We discussed best practices in managing a competition with integrity that would be competitive, affordable, and financially viable for INBA. 

We named a contest administrator H Wayne Wilson to develop category descriptions and contest rules. We contracted with Rock Our Awards, an industry leader in managing submissions. Additionally, we arranged a “judge swap” with the Iowa Broadcast News Association. INBA membership also voted unanimously to name The INBA Crystal Mic award for Best TV Newscast in honor of two-time INBA Illinoisan of the Year Paul Davis. Davis is a former WGN-TV News Director and past president of INBA. Just before his death in April, Davis called the honor, “A remarkable present– a nice tip of the hat.” 

I appreciate the efforts of this committee to focus on a smaller scale initially with an eye on expanding our categories long-term. We feel this year’s categories will represent the “Best of the Best.” The Crystal Mics themselves are pretty impressive pieces of art too for you to share with your team and audience should you snag one this year! 

I may have buried the lead here, but what we need now are your entries. We have heard from many stations already, but feel there is room for more. Believe me, the daily deadlines make sitting down and reflecting on the past year and a half a tough task to schedule. But we believe it is essential for us all to look back at the work of our reporters and teams and submit them for consideration to be recognized for their impact on the audience. That’s why we are extending the entry deadline until August 7^th.  

CLICK HERE FOR CONTEST DETAILS AND TO ENTER

The bylaws of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association call for quarterly meetings of the board. And because we're a journalism organization, we're all about transparency.

So join us Saturday, January 11, 2020 for our winter board meeting. It will take place at Fell Hall, on the campus of Illinois State University, starting at 10:30 a.m. We invite you in to see "how the sausage is made."

Fell Hall is located at 304 S. University Street in Normal. Parking is available at the West Beaufort Street garage.

President: Josh Morgan was re-elected for a second term without opposition.

Vice-President: Nora Baldner did not run for re-election. Brian Moline was elected without opposition.

Recording Secretary: Rachel Lippman was elected to her first full term, after replacing Jasmine Crighton earlier this year. Jasmine moved out of state to take a position at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Executive Secretary: Rich Egger was re-elected without opposition.

Treasurer: Tanya Koonce-Williams was re-elected without opposition.

Board of Directors: There were four two-year positions up for election because of expiring terms, plus two additional one-year terms because Rachel Lippman and Brian Moline moved into officer positions. Seven people ran for the six positions. Members elected Rick Koshko and Margaret Larkin to one-year terms. They elected Ryan Denham, Sam Dunklau, Mike Miletich, and Dana Vollmer to two-year terms.

Thanks to everyone for their current and past service to INBA!

^{INBA Board members, from left, Margaret Larkin, Rick Koshko, Mike Miletich, Dana Vollmer, and Sam Dunklau}

^{(photo credit: Lee Milner)}

INBA is looking for someone to become our Recording Secretary, since Jasmine Crighton has tendered her resignation, effective July 1.

According to the by-laws, the board has the authority to appoint someone to serve until the next election, which will be September 28.

Recording Secretary duties are to take minutes at both Board Meetings and General Membership Meetings, and to produce the online newsletter, the TuneIn.

If you have been looking to get more involved, if you are organized, and if your fingers move quickly on a keyboard, this could be a good fit for you. (and, you could try it out for a couple months, before deciding if you wanted to run in September.)

If you're interested, please contact Nominations and Elections Chair Laura Trendle Polus (lmtrend@ilstu.edu), or President Josh Morgan (jmorgan@wrex.com).

UPDATE: The next meeting of the INBA Board of Directors will be Saturday June 29 at Fell Hall on the Illinois State University campus in Normal, beginning at 10:00am. It had previously been scheduled to start at 10:30am.

All voting members are welcome to attend INBA board meetings.

Discussion will include preparations for the Fall 2019 INBA Convention in Urbana.

If you cannot attend, but have an item for the board to discuss, please email INBA President Josh Morgan at jmorgan@wrex.com.

The Illinois News Broadcasters Association is pleased to announce that Ryan Denham of WGLT-FM in Normal has joined its board of directors.

Denham started his career as a copy editor at The Pantagraph in 2006, and later served as a reporter covering business and city government.

He joined WGLT full-time in 2017 as Digital Content Director. Denham splits his time between digital strategy and reporting for WGLT.

Denham is a Chicago native who now lives in Normal with his wife, Theresa, two young children Alice and Paul, and two very furry dogs.

He replaces Tri State Public Radio reporter Jason Parrott on the INBA board. Parrott resigned his seat in March after several years of dedicated service. Thank you, Jason!