We put the best newspaper slogan ever onto a T-shirt!
The Daily Southtown covered the South Side neighborhoods
and south suburbs of Chicago.
More than geography, being a South Sider
is an attitude and a unique world view.
Daily Southtown / Sun-Times Media
“This is a terrific newspaper - its spot-news coverage is both broad and deep, and its feature stories are as good as those of the country’s best newspapers.
"The newspaper puts a lot of effort into providing value to readers - and it shows. The news report is aggressive and hard-edged, balanced nicely with features.
"The Daily Southtown gives you a strong sense of the community it serves.”
The American Press Institute / Suburban Newspapers of America
3 Things To Know About Dennis & the Southtown
1. Hard-Hitting News Coverage
From 2004 to 2009, Dennis' tenure as managing editor, the Daily Southtown earned 15 awards for General Excellence from the IPA, AP and SNA and more than 100 honors for community service, investigative reporting, writing, design, headlines and photography, competing against large-circulation newspapers — more than any other paper in the Sun-Times Media chain.
Through its coverage, the Southtown:
sent a corrupt superintendent who literally "stole kids' milk money" to prison and broke up an inept school board
exposed a thieving schools treasurer who squandered tax dollars on casino sprees
successfully sued a city government for financial records that showed a history of extravagant and criminal misspending on personal gifts, including diamonds and furs
unearthed a police department's tragic failure to investigate hundreds of rape cases
brought to light the malfeasance of a firefighter who claimed he was a "Jason Bourne-like" government spy
2. Fun & Community Engagement
The Daily Southtown wasn't all hard news and investigations. The team we assembled here had a lot of fun, too.
we created the "Cook for Me" and "Grill for Me" contests, a popular series of special promotions with multiple prizes that culminated in a grand-prize winner receiving a gourmet meal from a noteworthy chef in a themed dinner party or barbecue
we marched in the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade — the largest such parade in the country — and beamed with pride as parade watchers lining the street shouted "we love the Southtown" as our float rolled by
3. Well-Rounded Content & Focus
we followed the Chicago White Sox to the World Series — and our sports section was twice judged the Nation's Best Sports Section by the APSE
we created a Sunday commentary section named best in Illinois by the state press association three consecutive years
with beats tightly focused on community coverage, we grew circulation in our core ZIP codes by 3 to 5 percent while most papers were losing readers
A Strong Staff
For a period of time, the Daily Southtown was one of America's great local newsrooms, spawning a cadre of reporters and editors who would go on to work at the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ, Pro Publica Illinois, the Boston Globe, the Dallas Morning News, the New York Times and other major news orgs.
'The Southtown became the paper to poach from'
"The Daily Herald used to be the paper we'd look to hire away reporters, but the Southtown was hiring great reporters who were doing amazing work. The Southtown became the paper to poach from."
Shamus Toomey, former Sun-Times metro editor,
founder of Block Club Chicago
Awards & Recognition
General Excellence
2007-08
Suburban Newspapers of America "Newspaper of the Year"
Illinois Press Association Award for General Excellence
Best Newspaper Design, IPA
2006-07
Suburban Newspapers of America "Newspaper of the Year"
Best Features Section, IPA and Suburban Newspapers of America
Best Editorial Pages, IPA and Suburban Newspapers of America
2005-06
AP General Excellence Award
Best Editorial Pages, IPA and Suburban Newspapers of America
Best Features Section, IPA
2004-05
AP General Excellence Award
IPA General Excellence Award
Best Editorial Pages, IPA and Suburban Newspapers of America
AP Top Sports Section in the Nation
IPA Best Sports Section
These are some of the projects I had a direct hand in guiding and of which I'm most proud.
Investigative and Public Service
Where is the Law?
2006-07
an in-depth investigation into Harvey city hall corruption, unsolved murders, uninvestigated rapes, shoddy evidence keeping and other police department problems that led to a grand jury, a State Police investigation and raids on the police department. Reported by Jonathan Lipman, Lauren FitzPatrick, William Lee, Kim Janssen, Chris Hack and others.
“Meticulous research, clear and detailed writing, excellent presentation … this is courageous work (and) an example of newspaper community service at its finest,” the IPA judges said.
Knight Award for Investigative Reporting
AP Award for Public Service Reporting
IPA Award for Community Service Reporting
Suburban Newspapers of America Award for Investigative Reporting
Better Government Association George Bliss Award for Investigative Reporting, honorable mention
Dr. Phony, PhD
2006-07
an investigation into problems at Calumet Park school district, including administrators with phony credentials and misuse of public funds, called "an inspiring, heart-wrenching story" by judges. Reported by Kati Phillips.
Lisagor Award for Education Reporting
AP Award for Best News Story
Reverse Robin Hood
2005-06
in-depth Southtown investigation led to secret criminal probe, grand jury, indictment and conviction of a corrupt schools superintendent who stole money from poor children. Prosecutors called the stories a "blueprint for the prosecution" and warned our reporter that their surveillance had uncovered evidence that the superintendent threatened to harm her. The stories also led to a state takeover of the district and a complete change in the school board. Reported by Linda Lutton.
“Thorough, determined, unrelenting reporting on a most intimidating official, (the Southtown) exposed a jaw-dropping story of corruption. This is the type of reporting and organized investigation to which all papers should aspire,” the Headline Club judges said. The public "was given an enormous wake-up call."
Chicago Headline Club Watchdog Award
The Hechinger Award for Investigative Reporting
Lisagor Award for In-Depth Education Reporting
IPA Community Service Award
AP Award for Public Service
Education Writers of America, Best Education Reporting
State of Shame
2005-06
a Sun-Times group project, the Southtown's in-depth local report went even further in focusing on war veterans unable to find jobs. Our local stories were entered. Reported by Dan Lavoie and Howard Ludwig.
IPA Community Service
AP Award for Public Service
The Death of Antonio Manrique
2004-05
ongoing coverage of an elderly man's death at the hands of police in a case of mistaken identity. The stories prompted a Department of Justice investigation of the police department. Reported by Allison Hantschel, Marcus K. Garner and others.
AP Award for Public Service
News Reporting
Pay and Perks
2008-09
analysis of local superintendent contracts and the unusual compensation agreements boards of education enter into without taxpayer knowledge. Reported by Angela Caputo.
Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award for Best Education Coverage
St. Francis Hospital
2008-09
coverage of the demise, resurrection and new ownership of a major medical center. Reported by Guy Tridgell, Mike Nolan, Maura Possley, William Lee and others.
Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award for Business Coverage
IPA Award for Business Reporting
The Lane Bryant Massacre
2007-08
breaking news and ongoing coverage of a quintuple murder at a clothing store in Tinley Park. Reported by Carly Mullady, Kristen Schorsch and others.
Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award
AP Award for Breaking News Coverage
Suburban Newspapers of America Award for News Reporting
2 Cops Shot at L-Way Central
2006-07
late-night coverage of a fatal police shooting. Reported by Courtney Greve and others.
Lisagor Award for Best News Reporting
Can Forensics Close the Emmett Till Case?
2005-06
in-depth examination of efforts to exhume Emmett Till's body and use new science to gather evidence for prosecution. Reported by Lauren FitzPatrick.
AP Award for Best News Reporting
Runway Runaway
2005-06
coverage of Midway Airport airline disaster. Reported by staff.
AP Award for Spot News Reporting
Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award for Best News Reporting
Wal Mart is Coming to Town
2004-05
a five-part series on Wal-Mart's impact on local communities. Reported by staff.
IPA Award for Best Business Reporting
Suburban Newspapers of America Award for Business Reporting
Features
Settimio's Diary
2008-09
a multi-part tale of a Chicago Heights family's connection to its patriarch and his experience in Italy in World War I. Reported by Donna Vickroy.
AP, IPA, Headline Club and SNA finalist for Feature Writing
Who is the Broom Woman?
2006-07
a touching feature about a homeless woman and an entire community's bid to take care of her. Reported by Mark J. Konkol.
IPA, Best Personality Profile
Santa's Legacy
2006-07
a heartwarming story about a man taking up his father's tradition of playing Santa Claus. Reported by Lauren FitzPatrick.
IPA, Best Personality Profile
Fat City
2005-06
yearlong series exploring Chicago's weight-related health problems. Reported by Donna Vickroy.
Best Feature Series, Suburban Newspapers of America
Editorial Writing
Southtown Editorials
2007-08
a collection of local editorials
Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award for Best Editorial Writing
A Solid Deal for Schools
2006-07
a critique of the governor's plan to lease the state lottery
IPA and Chicago Headline Club awards for Best Editorial Writing