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by Mary Herschelman
The Journal-News, Hillsboro, IL
“A free press is protected by the First Amendment,” said Journal-News owner, John M. Galer. “But its strength doesn’t come from Washington. Its strength comes from thousands of communities across this country where journalists like the people in this room keep showing up.”
Galer was honored with the General James O. Amos award during the National Newspaper Association convention in Detroit, MI, on Friday evening, Sept. 18. Recognized as one of the highest and most distinguished tributes in community journalism, the Amos Award is presented to a working or retired newspaperman who has provided distinguished service and leadership to the community press and his community.
Attending the reception with Galer were his wife, Susie; children, Mary (Galer) Herschelman of Hillsboro and John P. Galer of Alexandria, VA; his sister Anne (husband Ralph) McLaughlin of Hillsboro and college roommate Bernie (wife Jan) Lord of Midlothian.
Prior to the awards presentation, Galer was recognized in a slideshow tribute with photos of his more than 50-year career in community journalism. The award was presented by Matt Paxton, who nominated Galer and is a former Amos Award winner himself.
In accepting the award, Galer shared about his life in community journalism and what makes it so special.
“I tell people I’m from the ‘Boro,” he said. “That’s Hillsboro, IL. Now, I realize that most of you aren’t from the ‘Boro. You have your own town. It may be bigger than Hillsboro. It may be smaller. It may be hundreds or a thousand miles away. But looking around a room filled with community journalists, I suspect we’d discover something pretty quickly. Your town isn’t all that different from mine.”
He talked about the things all papers cover, like city council and school board meetings, ball games, fairs, parades and more.
“And somewhere in your community, you have journalists trying to tell all of those stories,” he said. “That’s why receiving the Amos Award means so much to me. I’m proud to tell you about Hillsboro and my family’s years in journalism there. But standing here tonight, I realize that my story is, in many ways, your story.”
Galer gave a history of The Hillsboro Journal and talked about when his family came to central Illinois from Wisconsin.
He talked about the history of the communities he has covered over the years and when he moved home from college in 1972 to help his dad.
“I’d like to tell you I came home with some grand vision of spending the next 50-plus years as a community journalist,” he said. “The truth is a little more practical. My dad lost a pressman and he needed help.”
Galer talked about his career at the newspaper, which started as a pressman and quickly grew to be the production manager. And in addition to The Journal-News, he and his wife, Susie, own several local newspapers (The Raymond News, The Mt. Olive Herald, The Staunton Star Times, The Bunker Hill Gazette News, The Southwestern Journal and The Madison County Chronicle).
He added many of the campaigns the paper has championed over the years, helping to raise $3.5 million in donations to build a new hospital in Hillsboro.
“That’s an incredible accomplishment for a community our size,” he said. “The newspaper didn’t build that hospital. The people did. Our job was to tell people about the problem, report what was proposed, follow the fundraising and the progress and eventually record what this community has accomplished. That taught me something I’ve never forgotten. A newspaper doesn’t create the character of a community. The people do that. But a newspaper gives that community a voice.”
Galer talked about shooting Hillsboro football games from the sidelines for decades and how much it meant to him to share photos of people’s children and grandchildren. “We don’t parachute into these communities to report on them,” he said. “We live there. And that makes the job personal. Sometimes in a humorous way. I’m guessing I’m not the only person in this room who has had a public official call at an unreasonable hour to explain exactly what was wrong with a story. That’s just part of the job. You listen. You check what you wrote. If you got something wrong, you correct it. But if the story is accurate and fair, you stand behind it. Because being part of a community doesn’t mean telling people only what they want to hear. Sometimes serving your community means telling people what they need to know.”
He talked about the importance of community journalism and why it’s oftentimes a journalist’s job just simply to listen.
“That’s community journalism,” Galer said. “These aren’t strangers. They’re our neighbors. We see them at the grocery store. We sit beside them at ballgames. We celebrate with them. And we hurt with them. And tomorrow, we’re going to see the people we wrote about today. That creates accountability. You have to be able to look someone in the eye and know that, whether they liked your story or not, you were fair, you checked the facts and you did your best to tell the truth.” Galer added the democracy doesn’t begin in Washington, but rather at home, in city council and school board meetings. He talked about why the First Amendment matters, not only to the press, but as a protection given to the people.
He said that information is more available today than ever before.
“Anyone with a phone can send something to thousands of people in seconds,” Galer said. “But having more information doesn’t necessarily mean that we are better informed. There is a difference between information and journalism. Journalism means somebody showed up. Somebody asked the question. Somebody listened. Somebody talked to both sides. Somebody checked the facts. And somebody was willing to put their name, and their newspaper’s reputation, behind the story. I’ve spent more than 50 years doing some version of that, recording the life of a community.”
He reminded all the journalists in the room that their job was simply to show up, listen, ask questions, get the facts and tell the story of their community, wherever it might be.
“My community is Hillsboro,” he said. “I call it the ‘Boro. Yours has a different name. But tonight, I think we’re talking about the same place. It’s the place we call home. It’s the place whose stories we have been entrusted to tell. And it’s the place where democracy really begins. Because democracy begins at home. And so does a free press.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourages communities to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week Oct. 18-24, 2026, and Principal Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 23, to highlight the dedication of principals, assistant principals, and deans. This annual recognition has been recognized by Illinois governors since 1990. October is also National Principals Month, supported by the IPA, the National Principals Association (NPA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA). Brian Faulkner, IPA president and principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School (Sugar Grove), shared: "During Principal Appreciation Week, we celebrate the dedicated school leaders across Illinois who work tirelessly to create schools where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Principals are lead learners, culture builders, advocates, and champions for both students and staff. We are grateful for the passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment they bring to their schools and learning communities each and every day." “This year, we celebrate our state’s school leaders for what they do – unlocking the potential of those they serve,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA executive director. “These courageous individuals lead their learning organizations with optimism, humility, vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to do what is best for their students. Both research and common sense tell us how critical these servants are to positively influence young people, teachers, and communities. For this, they deserve our respect and gratitude.” IPA invites teachers, students, parents, and community members to show appreciation for school leaders on Friday, Oct. 23.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) will host its 55th Education Leaders Annual Conference, “Unlocking Potential,” from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 in Peoria. The event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help school leaders enhance their impact on schools and communities. 2026-2027 IPA President Brian Faulkner shared, “Unlocking Potential is grounded in the belief that leadership is not confined to a title. Leadership lives within every member of our school community, and when we create opportunities for others to lead, we unlock the collective potential of our students, staff, and communities.” The conference kicks off Sunday, Oct. 18, with a golf tournament, committee meetings, and a welcome reception honoring past IPA presidents. Keynote speakers include: Phil Januszewski, a 20-year educator turned full-time motivator, will deliver a keynote Monday morning titled “Less Tired. More Inspired: Three Actions Toward Thriving Instead of Surviving.” Januszewski will share three crucial actions that will allow leaders to leverage individual strengths and passions to reach higher levels of happiness, fulfillment, and giving, all while avoiding burnout and a negative mindset. Brian Faulkner, 2026-2027 IPA president, and Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders will speak Monday afternoon. IPA Awards for Excellence, Herman Graves Awards, Reaching Out & Building Bridges Awards, and the Mr. John Ourth & Dr. Fred W. Singleton Professional Development Scholarships will also be presented at this session. Dr. Mary Hemphill, CEO and founder of The Limitless Leader LLC, will open Tuesday morning with her session “Future-Proof Leadership: Unlocking Potential in a Skills-Based Economy.” Future-proof leadership will equip principals. assistant principals and deans with a practical framework for leading a skills-based economy, including actionable strategies to implement immediately for kindergarten through high school. Additionally, Tuesday’s IGNITE session will feature fast-paced presentations from school and district leader duos, including Dr. Ben Collins, superintendent, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64; Dr. Courtney Goodman, principal, Eugene Field Elementary School (Park Ridge); Dr. Jill Griffin, superintendent, Bethalto Community Unit School District 8; and Justin Newell, principal, Civic Memorial High School (Bethalto). These leaders will share their perspectives on implementing the School Leader Paradigm and Illinois School Leader Evaluation Plan in their respective districts. The conference will conclude with IPA Deputy Executive Director Brian Schwartz and IPA Government & Public Relations Director Alison Maley, who will provide updates on new education-related laws passed during the 2026 Illinois Legislative Session, and offering insights on how school leaders can stay informed and advocate for their schools. For more information about the IPA or to register to attend, please visit ilprincipals.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2026 Media Contact Information: Office of the Highway Commissioner Northfield Township Road District 237 Melvin Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 724-8300 ntroad@northfieldtownship.com
Property acquisition moves the MWRD–Road District partnership closer to protecting 130 residential structures and critical roadways from flooding across Northfield Township NORTHBROOK — The Northfield Township Road District (NTRD) announced that the purchase of the nearly 16-acre property for the stormwater detention basin serving the Central Road Flood Control Project closed Sept. 8. The project is designed to reduce flooding affecting 130 residential structures and several roadways in South Glenview. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of the 15.82-acre site, along with a 0.91-acre temporary construction easement, from Ridgewood Cemetery Company, Inc., for $8.15 million plus closing costs. The property acquisition is a major milestone in the intergovernmental partnership between the Road District and the MWRD to deliver flood relief along the Central Road corridor from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane. “For the families in South Glenview who have watched water come up their driveways year after year, this property acquisition means the detention basin is no longer a line on a drawing — it is on its way to becoming real,” said Highway Commissioner Michael J. Korman. “When Central Road stays open and dry during a major storm, every resident of Northfield Township benefits, whether they are commuting, getting kids to school, or counting on first responders to get through.” The project will bring direct relief to residents of South Glenview and the surrounding unincorporated area, where flooding has repeatedly threatened homes, yards, and streets. Once operational, the project is expected to reduce flooding that impacts 130 single- and multi-family residential structures, as well as several roadways within and around the project area. The full project includes new mainline storm sewers under Central Road and Dearlove Road and lateral storm sewers on Glenwood Lane, Glendale Road, Glenshire Road and Hillside Road within the Road District’s jurisdiction. The approximately 16-acre detention basin site near Dee Road and Central Avenue will capture and temporarily store stormwater during major rainfall events, reducing pressure on the corridor’s existing drainage system. While the detention basin will capture and store stormwater at the west end of the corridor, the benefits extend across the entire Road District. Reduced flooding protects the pavement, culverts and drainage infrastructure the Road District maintains on behalf of all Township residents, lowers long-term repair costs, and keeps a vital east–west route reliable during severe weather. MWRD is leading and funding the $8.15 million land acquisition, along with the design and construction of the project. Once construction is complete, the Road District will assume long-term ownership and maintenance of the improvements within its jurisdiction. “Strong partnerships are essential to building more resilient communities, and we appreciate the Northfield Township Road District's collaboration on the Central Road Flood Control Project,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Together, we're expanding stormwater storage, reducing flood risks, and protecting our waterways while creating lasting benefits for Northfield Township residents.” Next steps include completing due diligence on the property, conducting survey and staking work, and continued progress on the project design. Aquatic biologists from the MWRD’s Monitoring and Research Department will also be assessing the potential transfer of turtles and fish. The aquatic biologists are conducting an environmental suitability assessment in September to evaluate that conditions are appropriate for this plan. The Road District will keep residents informed as the project advances toward construction. For updates on this project and other Road District programs, visit ntroad.com. About the Northfield Township Road District The Northfield Township Road District is an independent unit of local government organized under the Illinois Highway Code (605 ILCS 5/), responsible for the construction, maintenance, and drainage of roads within its jurisdiction in Cook County, Illinois. The Road District is led by an elected Highway Commissioner and serves residents across Northfield Township, including unincorporated areas.
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