And The 2018 IBA Silver Dome Award Winners Are...

The Illinois Broadcaster Association (IBA) handed out the 2018 Silver Dome Awards at the conclusion of its annual conference in Normal, IL on Wednesday.

"The  Silver Dome Awards’ prestige probably results from the fact that the entries are judged by out-of-state broadcasters” said IBA Pres./CEO Dennis Lyle. “It’s the ultimate compliment to have a panel of judges who have never seen or heard a station’s or on-air talent’s work before recognizing you as 'best of state.'"

Tribune Media News-Talk WGN-A/Chicago; Nelson Multimedia Adult StandardsWSPY-A/Geneva, IL; and Virden Broadcasting Co. News-Talk-AC WSDR-A/Sterling, IL won Station Of The Year honors in their market categories.

Also, Qunincy Media Sports WGEM-A-W255CY/Quincy, IL's Josh Houchins, who passed away last year, won Best Radio Personality in a Medium Market, days after winning an award from the Missouri Broadcasters Association (MBA).

The awards were judged by a panel of Michigan broadcasters.

Radio winners included:

Best Radio News Reporter
Large Market:  WGN -- Andrea Darlas
Medium Market: WSPY -- Jim Wyman, "New Lawsuit Filed Against Former Speaker Of The U.S. House Of Representatives Dennis Hastert"
Small Market: Western Illinois Broadcasting Country WRMJ/Aledao, IL -- James Taylor, "The Beating Of Joy Farmer Fred Rooth"

Best Radio Personality
Large Market: Hubbard Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX)/Chicago -- Lisa Allen
Medium Market: Quincey Media Sports WGEM-A-W255CY/Qunicey IL -- Josh Houchins
Small Market: Rochelle Broadcasting Co. Country WYOT (102.3 The Coyote)/Rochelle, IL -- Kris Wexell,, "The Coyote Morning Show"

Charity/Cause
Large Market: iHeartMedia AC WLIT (93.9 Lite FM)/Chicago -- Dave Hilton, "Salvation Army PSA"
Medium Market: WSPY -- Melinda Collins, "Summer Lunch Box Promo"
Small Market: Nelson Multimedia Classic Hits WCSJ-A -- Kevin Schramm, "Habitat For Humanity Radiothon"

Best Radio Series Or Documentary
Large Market: Weigel Classic Hits WRME-LP (87.7 METV FM)/Chicago -- Bill Cochran and Rick O'Dell, "Dan Fogelberg Artist Feature"
Medium Market: WSPY -- Tyler Bachman and Mark Harrington, "Officials Discuss Impact Of Caterpillar Closing Montgomery Plant"
Small Market: Dana Communications Corp. Oldies WQRL (Q106.3)/Benton, IL -- Ashley Hugo "Eqlipse"

Best Radio Spot News Coverage
Large Market: none
Medium Market: WSPY -- Tyler Bachman and Ashley Retter, "Fugitive Max Ambler Captured After Overnight Stakeout In Earlville"
Small Market: WCSJ -- Justin Ritz, "Missing Child"

Best Radio Station Community Service
Large Market: none
Medium Market: WSPY -- Beth Pierre, Bonnie  Guyer, Cheryl Pearre, Liz Hanlon, Jim Wyman, "WSPY'S Summer Lunch Box Program Feeds Hungry Children"
Small Market: Cromwell Top 40 WCBH (104.3 The Party)/Casey, IL -- Kallie Middleton, Michelle Carman, Jesse Guinn, Hannah Carruthers, "104.3 The Party and the Polar Plunge For Special Olympics Illinois"

Best Radio Station Self-Promotion 
Large Market: WRME-LP -- Bill Cochran and Rick O'Dell , "Do-Re-Mi"
Medium Market: Neuhoff  Sports WFMB-A/Springfield, IL -- Johnny Vincent  and Robert Urbanek, "Soundtrack to the Solar Eclipse"
Small Market: Withers Hot AC WRXX (X95)/Centrelia, IL -- Matt James, "The Wake Up Call"

Best Radio Station Use of New Media
Large Market: iHeartMedia Urban WGCI/Chicago -- Jamal Smallz DJ Moondawg, Ashley  "AC" Trybula , Johnnie D, "HomeTurf"
Medium Market: WFMB -- Johnny Vincent and Shauna Evans, "I Love My Hometown Tour"
Small Market: Withers News-Talk WMIX- A/Mount Vernon, IL -- Avery Barton, "WMIX Extras"

Best Sportscaster
Large Market: WGN -- Dave Eanet
Medium Market: none
Small Market: Neufhoff News-Talk WDAN-A/Danville,, IL -- Eric Loy