NW Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) took to Facebook on May 24 to honor WRMJ broadcaster and sportscaster Jim Taylor, the 2023 Recipient of the Ron and Rich Herrin Award from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA).

"Congratulations as the 2023 Recipient of the Ron and Rich Herrin Award from The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association AND the FIRST broadcaster to receive this prestigious career achievement honor," Swanson said in the post. He also honored Taylor by presenting him with an Illinois House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition.

Swanson’s post followed a May 6 tweet from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

"Jim Taylor from WRMJ was honored as our Ron and Rich Herrin Award Winner!" the tweet said.

WRMJ also posted about the award on its Facebook page as well as its website.

"Taylor is being lauded by the IBCA for his play-by-play of local basketball games as well as hosting various interview programs on WRMJ," the website story said. "The Herrin Award is named after both Ron and Rich Herrin, longtime successful basketball coaches in Illinois."

Taylor is the News & Sports director at WRMJ, a position he has held since September of 1990. He hosts a variety of shows covering high school and college sports. Taylor has received several awards for his work, including in 2015 when he received the Illinois High School Association’s Distinguished Media Service Award. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in the Media Category in April of 2007, and he also received the 2008 Friends of Athletics state award from the Illinois Athletic Directors Association. In 2023, Taylor received the Illinois Softball Coaches Association Sportsperson of the Year Award in addition to the Herrins’ achievement award.

Swanson is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Illinois National Guard, his website biography said. He was elected to represent the people of the 71st District for his fourth term in January 2023.