The Journal brought home 13 awards this past weekend from the 31st annual Illinois College Press Association competition in Chicago.

The Journal placed in categories across the board for writing, photography, cartoons, advertisements and design.

Illustrator Alex Johnson’s piece titled “Waste,” which examined recycling issues on campus, placed first for Editorial Cartoon. Johnson’s biweekly comic strip, CAMPUIS, also placed first, in the Other Cartoon, Strip or Panel category.

General Reporter Megan O’Dell’s Beyond piece titled “Transitioning to self-acceptance,” which detailed the journey of two transgendered women, placed first for Feature Story.

Former News Reporter Marty Hobe’s play on words placed first in Headline Writing with “Christmas comes early for Easter: U of I president receives bonus for meeting goals.”

Former Photographer Kim Hobby’s depiction of the Springfield Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge received first place for Feature Photo. Hobby’s photo also received an honorable mention in the General News Photo category.

Brittany Henderson, news editor and photographer, placed second in Sports Photo for her piece titled “Prairie Stars hold off Knights.” Henderson also placed third in Feature Photo for her “demonstration of movement” in her photo of Chukwuka “Chuks” Iwe.

Former News Editor Daymon Kiliman placed third in News Story for his coverage of Radical Student Union protests at Campus Senate.

Nafia Khan, former news editor, placed third in Feature Story for her piece titled “Wrap more than just a gift for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day,” which looked at the rise of sexually transmitted infections in Sangamon County.

Former Business Manager Kate Richardson placed third in Advertisement Less Than Full Page for her piece promoting LGBT Gospel Artist Justin Ryan.

Former Layout and Design Editor Colten Bradford received an honorable mention in Front Page Layout for consecutive editions Sept. 25, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, 2013.

The Journal Editorial Board received an honorable mention in Editorial for its editorial titled “SGA creates new senator, vote yes.” The piece urged students to “vote yes” for an international student senator seat on the SGA.

The competition was held Feb. 21 and 22 and allowed upwards of 30 Illinois colleges and universities to come together all in the name of journalism. Next year’s competition will be held in Springfield.