Chicago Headline Club
Founded in 1921
The Chicago Headline Club awards the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting and Editing as part of its annual FOIA Fest. The Prize rewards excellent reporting and investigative journalism in the state of Illinois, with a focus on journalists who demonstrate tenacity in their reporting. Winning entries will have overcome significant challenges in order to reach publication, such as FOIA legal battles, reticent public officials or other institutional barriers.
A-Mark Prize Recipients
2026
First Place
Frank Main and Alexandra Salomon, “Chicago Under Ice,” Chicago Public Media (Links: 1, 2, 3)
Second Place
Third Place
Manny Ramos, Mick Dumke, Stephanie Lulay, Jen Sabella, and Kelly Bauer, “Some Call It ‘Death Hospital’: Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems,” Block Club Chicago
2025
First Place
Lisa Schencker and Emily Hoerner, “Medical Malpractice Series,” Chicago Tribune
Part 1 (PDF); Part 2 (PDF); Part 3 (PDF)
Second Place
Reema Amin and Mina Bloom, “Lost In Translation: Migrant Kids Struggle In Segregated Chicago Schools,” Chalkbeat Chicago and Block Club Chicago
Third Place
Madison Hopkins and Joe Mahr, “Many cameras. Little focus. Blurry results.,” Illinois Answers Project and Chicago Tribune