I was born in Elgin, 10 minutes before my twin brother, Tim. He has since made up for his tardiness in height, towering over me today by about 1 and 1/2 feet. He and I are tied for the youngest in the family—though I like to consider myself a middle child—and have two older brothers. I grew up on one of the last standing farms in what is now the well-developed area of Prairie View. For those who do not know the town, it is a northwest suburb of Chicago sandwiched in the middle of Long Grove, Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire. I moved to Minnesota to attend Winona State University, which is situated right on the Mississippi River. During my time there, I left for six months to study abroad in Granada, Spain, where I traveled throughout the provinces and even ran with the bulls in Pamplona. I returned to Illinois in June 2007 after graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications: Journalism and Spanish. I wrote for The Daily Chronicle in DeKalb until June 2010. There, I covered education for about two years, crime for nearly one and during my home stretch, delved into issues centered on the governments of DeKalb County and the City of Sycamore.
The first phase of Western Avenue's Evergreen Park Marketplace is under way, and officials have given us an early look inside.
An annual benefit set for this month will raise money to support veteran-related organizations while remembering a beloved Beverly man.
An annual benefit set for this month will raise money to support veteran-related organizations while remembering a beloved Beverly man.
An annual benefit set for this month will raise money to support veteran-related organizations while remembering a beloved Beverly man.
A recent uptick in mosquitoes has led local officials to take action.
South suburban obituaries and available visitation information.
Police said a child was the victim of gunfire late Monday.
Two Team U.S.A. volleyball players from Joliet and Bartlett had a successful start in Saturday's Olympic Games.
Prosecutors say a man running from the cops live-Tweeted his journey, including his location.
A new senior care facility recently opened in a former Borders bookstore.
A new senior care facility recently opened in a former Borders bookstore in nearby Beverly. The group operates Oak Lawn's hospital.
Cook County officials will be mitigating a lead poisoning risk in communities that are a stone's throw from Oak Lawn.
Cook County officials will be mitigating a lead poisoning risk in communities that are a stone's throw from Evergreen Park.
Cook County officials will be mitigating a lead poisoning risk in communities that are a stone's throw from Beverly and Mount Greenwood.
Evergreen Park police reports, July 31 - Aug. 7.
Earlier this year, the Washington County Board adopted a new library strategic plan.
Thanks to a Washington County recycling effort, some teachers got a jump-start on their school supply shopping this year.
Police are hoping to identify two male suspects who are pictured in security footage.
Those interested in voting early can do so on Saturday and Monday.
Three years later, a local police officer received praise for his selfless sacrifice that saved beloved house pet from a fire.
