|
|
|
The State Journal-Register gave Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's budget address the centerpiece position today, and rightfully so. In addition to Doug Finke's story, the package is packed with a lot of information.
Both photos were shot by staffer David Spencer.
In his speech, the governor called for the closure of some jails and regional offices of some state agencies. The zebra chart lists the agencies, the number of current employees and staff sized projected for 2013. Here's a closer look:
The chart neatly and clearly shows readers where the governor wants to make cuts. Really informative.
Reading Finke's story online, I stumbled across this great quote from the governor:
"This budget contains truths that may not be what you want to hear, but these are truths you do need to know,” Quinn said. “And I believe you can handle the truth. Today, our rendezvous with reality has arrived."
That last sentence reads like a line from an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, doesn't it? Good stuff.
Below the story is a massive package of content promotions to related stories inside. Giving that piece some details such as the shade and cutout of the cover of the proposed budget really adds to the importance of the promotions.
Elsewhere, see the two stories on the right? The footprint of each story occupies 1 1/2 columns. The story is given a standard 1-column measure with the breakout text at a half-column width. Why am I pointing this out? Because is the right way to display a story and breakout in a vertical package. The width given to breakouts in packages like these should be as wide as a standard half-column mug — just as you see here. Think of the traditional 6-column page grid as 12 columns. Use the grid to guide your decisions about how much space to give a story.
Well done, well done.
Joe Greco is corporate design director for GateHouse Media.
Contact him at jgreco@gatehousemedia.com.
Missed front page of the day? Find the archive here.
