A History of Star Newspapers

Katie Skorpinski
Thornwood High School, South Holland

For one hundred years, the Star has covered the local news for Chicago's south and southwest suburbs. While focusing primarily on the day-to-day events in the communities that affect people's lives, it has also reflected on its pages the local impact of history's great events, such as the World Wars and the Great Depression.

William E. Williams, Sr., and John Rugaber started Star newspapers in a back room at the Columbia Dry Goods Store in Chicago Heights, less than a block from what later became the newspaper's main office. On April 12, 1901, the first edition of the Star provided coverage of the forthcoming municipal vote.

Within a year of its beginning, Williams, who ran the paper until 1922, bought out Rugaber and moved the press to 86 Illinois Street in Chicago Heights. Caroline Williams, his wife, succeeded him as publisher, and his son, William E. Jr., ran the paper for more than fifty years. On February 19, 1926, the Star went from a weekly to a twice-a-week publication. After the newspaper office was bombed in 1928, the operation moved on October 29 to 1526 Otto Boulevard in Chicago Heights.

The first of many periods of expansion started in the 1940s. The Homewood-Flossmoor Star began in 1941 and the Park Forest Star followed in 1949. Then in 1963, the Williams Family bought the Tribune group from the Lambert family, which added papers in Harvey, Markham, and South Holland.

In another explosion of growth in 1972, the Park Forest South, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Hazel Crest-Country Club Hills, and Matteson-Richton papers were born. Three years later the Williams family obtained a group of southwest suburban newspapers, including those in Frankfort-Mokena and New Lenox-Manhattan, from the Paddock Crescent organization.

Further expansion was delayed for more than a decade in order to strengthen readership and advertising position. When William E. Jr., died in 1980, his eldest son, Charles W., became publisher and his other son, Bill, moved from vice president to president. In December 1986, the Williams family finally stepped down and sold the Star to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Growth again erupted in the late 1980s, adding seven more papers in Homer Township, Lansing-Lynwood, Calumet City-Burnham, Worth-Chicago Ridge, Alsip-Crestwood, and the Palos and Oak Lawn areas.

In spring 1994 ownership of the newspaper group changed once more when the American Publishing Company (APC) and its parent, Hollinger International, purchased the Sun-Times. Then in December, APC also purchased the Daily Southtown and began merging components of the two operations. In February 1997 both newspapers were moved into the former Gately Building at 6901 W. 159th Street in Tinley Park under Midwest Suburban Publishing Inc. Most recently in September 2000, three new editions of the Star were born in Joliet-Crest Hill, Bolingbrook-Romeoville, and Plainfield-Shorewood.

Throughout its existence, the Star has contributed to the communities not only by providing local news to the people, but also by supporting and starting charity events. The Star assists in publicity and provides free advertising when possible for these events.

In 1974 the direct response of Star employees to a recession was Project Share, a yearly holiday drive that collects food, money, clothing, and toys for needy families. The Star helped start Women Together in 1987, which holds an annual luncheon to benefit south suburban women and children who need assistance. The paper also supports local events such as the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, Homewood National Cancer Survivor Day, and the March of Dimes Walk America.

Along with charity events, the newspaper has tried to develop new ways for people to get involved in various public projects. For nearly a decade, the Star has held its annual Senior Fair, which provides the senior community with seminars and entertainment. Also in January 2001, the Star hosted its first job fair, which drew more than 6,000 people and 40 exhibitors.

As the Star moved into its second century of coverage, current president and publisher Larry A. Kelly said the Star gives its "unyielding pledge to be [a] primary source for local news in the months and years to come."—[Kelly Clapsaddle, "Outreach has Always Been Newspaper's Top Priority," Star, Mar. 18, 2001; "From its First Issue, The Star has Kept Readers Abreast Of Local Issues," Star, Mar. 18, 2001; http://www.starnewspapers.com/star/geninfo/about.html; Joanne Zerkel, "Abby Foundation Assists Area Women Who Need Help," Star, Mar. 18, 2001; Joanne Zerkel, "Project Share has Offered Families Ray of Hope for 26 Holiday Seasons," Star, Mar. 18, 2001.]

ILLINOIS HISTORY / DECEMBER 2001 19