Congratulations are in order for Northern Public Radio.

NIU’s public radio stations, WNIU and WNIJ, have been recognized officially by the Illinois Broadcasters Association for excellence in programming.

The Silver Dome Awards are presented annually by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. The association holds the competition, which is open to all Illinois radio stations, to foster excellence in broadcasting.

This year Northern Public Radio received a number of awards in several categories.

Four Silver Dome Awards were presented to WNIU and WNIJ in the “Editorial” and “Public Affairs Series/Program” categories.

In the “Editorial” category, WNIJ received both first and third place honors. A commentary centering on the Rockford gun buy-back program written by Stanley Campbell of Rockford Urban Ministries received first place.

The third place award went to Michael Warder of the Rockford Institute for a commentary on a controversial decision by the Rockford School Board.

Both stations took awards in the “Public Affairs Series/Program” category.

WNIU won second place honors for its weekly program “The Week’s End,” produced by Lester Graham.

The third place award was presented to WNIJ for a series on homelessness produced by Nancy Fehr, host of “All Things Considered.”

Lester Graham, news director for both WNIU and WNIJ, said, “It’s another confirmation that our stations are not only bringing excellent national programming to our audiences, but also some of the best local information in the state.”

Graham said the stations have received awards for “Public Affairs Series/Program” in the past. In 1990, the station took third place, and in 1991 it took second place in the same category.

WNIJ broadcasts news programming and jazz on the FM dial at 90.5 in DeKalb and 105.7 in Rockford. WNIU plays classical music and simulcasts in DeKalb on 89.5.