First posted 10/10/2008 2:32 p.m.

On Friday, the Illinois Press Association named Wednesday Journal the best large weekly newspaper in the state.

And the paper's staff now has the big ol' trophy to prove it. The storied Will Loomis Memorial Trophy, a newspaper version of the Stanley Cup, landed at 141 S. Oak Park Ave. as quickly as Dan Haley, editor and publisher of Wednesday Journal, could speed back from Springfield with it.

"My concern is that the trophy will get damaged when we drive through the Sonic in Pontiac," Haley said Friday afternoon. "We've waited 28 years to win this trophy and we don't want it gooey with a 44-ounce Limeade."

The Loomis Trophy, named for a publisher of the LaGrange Citizen, is a sweepstakes award, which means the Journal earned the highest number of points in the editorial contest overall. The Journal received honors in 22 categories representing work in editorial, photography, design and the Web. 

In past years, the Journal had finished between first and third in the contest's General Excellence category. But capturing the sweepstakes award reflects the paper's success in a wide range of work that represents the efforts of every member of the staff.

"We've come close in other years to winning the trophy," Haley said. "So it means a great deal to all of us to win the Loomis award."

The winners

• Ken Trainor: first place, original column (reprinted on Page 25); first place, editorial page; first place, lifestyle section; first place, arts and entertainment section; second place, headline writing; third place, special section
• Bill Dwyer: first and third place in news reporting of a series; second place, enterprise and feature writing; third place and honorable mention in government beat reporting
• Marc Stopeck: first place, editorial cartoon
• Frank Pinc: first place, spot news photo; second place, feature photo
• Brad Spencer: first place, sports column
• Josh Hawkins: first place, photo series
• Bethany Vogelsberg: second and third place, informational graphic
• Editorial Design staff: third place, newspaper design
• Graham Johnston: third place, Web project
• Marty Stempniak: third place, sports feature
• Wednesday Journal staff: first place, general excellence

Oak Leaves awards

Oak Leaves, the Pioneer Press weekly newspaper that also covers Oak Park and River Forest, won these awards from the state press association:

• Reporters John Huston and Chris LaFortune: first place, promotion of the public's right to know
• Steve Dunn and Geoff Scheerer: second place, Web project
• Jennifer Thomas: third place, arts and entertainment section
• Howard Hoffman: third place, original column
• Lenore Krasner: honorable mention, special section

Staff reports