The Reader is pleased to announce that several of our stories from 2022 were chosen as finalists for the 2022 Peter Lisagor Awards, which recognize some of the best in journalism from Illinois and northwest Indiana. The awards are organized by Chicago Headline Club, the official Chicago chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Winners will be announced at an awards dinner in May.

A full list of finalists is available at Chicago Headline Club’s website. The Reader is proud to be a finalist in the following categories.


Design & Visuals: Best Design in a Print Publication

The People Issue (Vol. 52 No. 3) designed by Kirk Williamson and Amber Huff 

(published November 2022)


Commentary & Presentation: Best Column or Editorial From a Small Print/Online Publication

The ‘tough on crime’ myth” by contributor Anthony Ehlers (edited by former Reader news editor Jim Daley, published June 2022)


Best Food or Restaurant Coverage

Sugar and snacks and everything nice” by Leor Galil (edited by former Reader story editor and past editor in chief Sujay Kumar, published July 2022)


Best Food or Restaurant Coverage

Annie Xiang wants you to wake up and smell the pu’er” by Mike Sula (edited by former Reader editor in chief Karen Hawkins, published March 2022)


Best Music Coverage

Parker Lee Williams helped shape Chicago hip-hop—and he never stopped building” by Leor Galil (edited by Reader music editor Philip Montoro, published in January 2022)


Best Coverage by Subject (Small print/online): Best Feature Reporting Single Story/Episode

Rescuing the legacy of Dancin’ Man” by contributor Jake Austen (edited by Philip Montoro, published March 2022)


Best Coverage by Subject (Small print/online): Best Reporting on Crime and Justice

Criminalizing queerness” by former Reader staff writer Adam M. Rhodes (edited by Karen Hawkins and Sujay Kumar, published April 2022)


Best Coverage by Subject (Small print/online): Best Science and Technology Reporting

Something magic’s growing at Back of the Yards Algae Sciences” by Mike Sula (edited by Reader culture editor Taryn Allen, published July 2022)


Best Coverage by Subject (Small print/online): Best Arts and Entertainment Reporting

Will lightning strike Podlasie Club twice?” by Reader listings coordinator Micco Caporale (edited by Philip Montoro, published October 2022)