ORLAND PARK - 22nd Century Media, Chicagoland’s fast-growing media company, announced today that nine of its publications are the recipients of 14 awards through the National Newspaper Association’s 2015 Better Newspaper Editorial Contest. 

It is the company’s largest number of awards since entering the contest three years ago.

“It’s an honor to win one national award, but 14 is remarkable,” Executive Editor Joe Coughlin said. “We are very proud today. This is a testament to the tireless efforts of our editors, as well as our company as a whole.”

The 14 national awards — 4 seconds, 5 thirds, 5 honorable mentions – were won among a field of 1,413 entries and hundreds of newspapers from 33 states. 

The accolades push the 10-year-old company’s total awards to around 140 overall in just eight years of competitions — the first five years coming from Illinois Press Association contests.  

Winners will be recognized at the award breakfast to be held Saturday, Oct. 3, during NNA’s 129th Annual Convention & Trade Show at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri. 

The Frankfort Station: Rebecca Susmarski

• Honorable Mention in Best Education/Literacy Story

The Homer Horizon: Jean Lachat

• Second Place: Best Feature Photo

The Mokena Messenger: Danny Ciamprone

• Honorable Mention: Best Business Feature

The Orland Park Prairie: Bill Jones

• Second Place: Best Feature Story

The Orland Park Prairie: Heather Warthen

• Third Place: Best Obituary

The Tinley Junction: Bill Jones

• Second Place: Best Review

The Tinley Junction: Staff

• Honorable Mention: Best Headline Writing

The Glenview Lantern: Alex Mayster

• Third Place: Best Investigative or In-depth series

• Third Place: Best Localized National Story

• Third Place: Best Freedom of Information

The Northbrook Tower: Matt Yan

Honorable Mention: Best Feature Story

The Wilmette Beacon: Joe Coughlin

• Second Place: Best Feature Photo

• Third Place: Best Feature Photo

The Winnetka Current: April Dahlquist

• Honorable Mention: Best Environmental Story