Joliet native Jim Ridings was presented with awards for 2 of his books

The Illinois State Historical Society presented the awards at its April 23 meeting in Springfield

At its April 23 meeting in Springfield, the Illinois State Historical Society presented Joliet native Jim Ridings awards for two books he published last year.

The two books are “The Illustrated History if the Cherry Mine Disaster of 1909” and “The Society of the Living Dead: The Illustrated History of Ottawa’s Radium Dial Scandal.”

Ridings received a Certificate of Merit for “Cherry Mine Disaster of 1909.”

He also received a Certificate of Excellence for “The Society of the Living Dead: The Illustrated History of Ottawa’s Radium Dial Scandal.”

Both of these books were reviewed in The Herald-News’ LocalLit newsletter

His 30th book, “The Illustrated History of Ottawa’s Tent Colony,” will be published June 28.

Ridings now lives in Herscher.

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