CBA Record

THE “REAL” HEROES: LEGAL JOURNALISTS AND THE CHICAGO CUBS 2017 Herman Kogan Awards By Anne Ellis, CBA Record Associate Editor T his year’s Kogan Media Awards featured heroes both on and off the field: All ears were on the speak-

ers and award winners, but all eyes kept glancing at the Chicago Cubs World Series Trophy, which was on display at the cer- emony celebrating 28 years of outstanding legal journalism in Chicago. The awards, named in honor of legend- ary journalist Herman Kogan, recognize outstanding legal and public affairs report- ing. With Incoming President Thomas R. Mulroy presiding, the awards were presented by Dennis Culloton, Chair of the Kogan Awards Committee, at a lun- cheon at the Standard Club on May 9. The committee selected winners from among dozens of entries in print, broadcast, and online media categories (see the winning entries, listed nearby). Keynote Messages In keeping with the theme of legal journal- ists as heroes playing a championship role in our society, Judge Mulroy introduced the keynote speakers: media personalities David Kaplan of ESPN and Comcast SportsNet, and Scott Simon of NPR. Forsaking the traditional speaker’s podium, raconteurs Kaplan and Simon sat side-by- side and traded stories about the Chicago Cubs as heroes of the 2016 World Series. Both have written books about the team –Kaplan’s “The Plan,” a behind-the-curtain look at the buildup to the World Series win, and Simon’s “My Cubs: A Love Story.” Citing the diehard superstition of a true Cubs fan, Simon said he waited to write his book until after the Cubs had actually won the series. He ribbed Kaplan, who started writing his account a year ago. But Kaplan said he had to start early because he wanted to document “how they got there –and no one knew if ‘this would be the year.’” As Kaplan sees it, “TomRicketts is the real hero of the Cubs’ story –he took

all the hits five years ago to set up the team for long-term, sustained success.” Ricketts, he says, “has the mind of a businessman, but the heart and soul of a fan.” Simon and Kaplan traded predictions for the 2017 baseball season, with both

agreeing, “Relax! The wins will come!” The ceremony ended, giving Cubs fans the opportunity to pose with the World Series trophy, and all to shake the hands of the off-the-field heroes, the Kogan Award winners.

Kogan Award Winners –TimNovak, Chris Fusco, Mick Dumke, Brett Chase, Chicago Sun-Times, Print - Features and Series Category, “Beyond the Rubble: Life After The CHA Upheaval” –Steve Schmadeke, Chicago Tribune, Print–Legal Beat Reporting Category,“Tale Of An Interrogation?” –Better Government Association Staff, BGA, Online Category,“BGA Forces Release of Mayor Rahm Emanuel Private Emails, Garners Landmark Policy Shift” –Phil Rogers, Marion Brooks, Michelle Relerford, Katy Smyser, Courtney Copenhagen, Richard Moy, Zach Christman, Julio Martinez, NBC5 Chicago, “Code Of Silence” Meritorious Awards –Steve Mills, Todd Lighty, Chicago Tribune, Print–Features and Series Category, “Police Officers’ Question- able Testimony” –Roy Strom, Chicago Lawyer, Print–Features and Series Category, “To Catch A Spoofer: ‘Spoofing’ is the Financial Crime of the Moment” –Kari Lydersen, BGA, Online Category,“Feisty Law Firm Fights For Rauner’s Agenda” –Frank Main, Chicago Sun-Times, Print–Legal Beat Category,“Cops Turned Blind Eye to Rapes” –Ben Bradley, WGN-TV, Broadcast Category, “Already In Prison, Drew Peterson’s Murder-For-Hire Defense Cost Taxpayers Over $260K”

14 JULY/AUGUST 2017