Illinois Arts Council announces 2005 Literary Award winners         

[JULY 15, 2005]  CHICAGO -- The Illinois Arts Council is pleased to announce the writers and literary publications selected to receive the council's Literary Award this year. Companion awards of $1,000 each are given to the writer and publication in which that writer's work was published. The awards recognize the creative excellence of Illinois writers and promote awareness of noncommercial publishing in the state.

The following individuals served as jurors charged with the responsibility of reviewing applications and making funding recommendations for the 2005 awards: Thomas Sayers Ellis of Cleveland, Ohio; Merrill Feitell of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Art Homer of Peru, Neb.

The award recipients are listed below, presented in alphabetical order by literary magazine title.

• Mary Biddinger of Chicago for the poem "Salsa at the Belair Lounge," published in Chicago by Another Chicago Magazine, Vol. 43, edited by Barry Silesky.
• Sapna Gupta of Chicago for the fiction story "Rajini Loves le Cancan," published in Carbondale by Crab Orchard Review, Vol. 9, No. 2, edited by Alison Joseph.
• Rafael Torch of Chicago for the creative nonfiction story "La Villita," published in Carbondale by Crab Orchard Review, Vol. 9, No. 1, edited by Alison Joseph.
• Alissa Valles of Chicago for the poem "Fire," published in Glenview by Free Lunch,
• Vol. 31, spring 2004, edited by Ron Offen.
• J.E. Robinson of Alton for the creative nonfiction story "Notes From a Janitor's Closet," published in Charleston by Karamu, spring 2004, edited by Olga Abella.
• Janice N. Harrington of Champaign for the poem "Traveler," published in Champaign by Ninth Letter, Vol 1.2, edited by Jodee Rubins.

• Amy Lingafelter of Champaign for the poem "Terra Firma," published in Champaign by Ninth Letter, Vol 1.2, edited by Jodee Rubins.
• Suzanne Tague of Chicago for the fiction story "Try to Be Good," published in Chicago by Other Voices, Vol. 40, edited by Gina Frangello.
• Donna Pucciani of Wheaton for the poem "Osteospermum," published in Normal by Spoon River Poetry Review, Vol. 29:1, edited by Lucia Getsi.
• Stephanie Soileau of Chicago for the fiction story "The Boucherie," published in Kenilworth by StoryQuarterly, Vol. 40, edited by M.M.M. Hayes.
• Gina Frangello of Chicago for the fiction story "Attila the There," published in Kenilworth by StoryQuarterly, Vol. 40, edited by M.M.M. Hayes.

The Illinois Arts Council is committed to the cultural, educational and economic growth of the diverse people and communities of our state through the support and encouragement of the arts and artists.

[Illinois Arts Council news release]