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 16th annual fest will feature live music, science activities, a scarecrow decorating contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
A local family is offering $300 for the return of a dirt bike that was stolen from their Francis Road garage this week.
Police are warning residents to be on high alert in the wake of several nearby armed robberies on the South Side.
Crews will be hitting the streets next month to tend to Tinley Park vegetation that could otherwise interrupt electricity service.
Archery lessons, hikes and tours await Chicagoans this weekend at a free party in the Dan Ryan Woods.
Known as the Main Street of America, Route 66 was built in 1926 and runs from Chicago's Buckingham Fountain to Santa Monica, California.
Residents have a chance to provide important feedback to the DuPage County Board.
The Wheeling native's trial on battery charges is set for October. She's accused of punching a nightclub bouncer last month.
A 12-year-old girl got the surprise of her life at Brookfield Zoo this week.
An open house will be held to review the preliminary map and present a recent study's findings.
Chevaz Odio, 28, of Elgin, is charged with setting fire to a Roselle townhome after allegedly breaking in and stabbing a female occupant.
The violation was the Third Street bar's sixth since 2012, city officials said.
McHenry County Sheriff's Office investigators are trying to determine what led to the Friday morning crash in unincorporated Richmond.
The Subaru was reportedly one of three involved in a Lake in the Hills crash that occurred earlier this week.
Crystal Lake Park District officials also said Friday that a temporary ban on the use of motorized water crafts will also remain in place.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday to charges from a 2014 case in which he reversed his car in attempt to flee police.
Area nonprofit organizations are still working to meet the ongoing need for flood supply and support centers in Northern Illinois.
Three Oaks Recreation Area's swim beach closed to the public Thursday, thanks to high bacteria levels tied to recent flooding.
Roads will remain open during the process, local officials confirmed Thursday.
A full assessment of Cook County's property tax system has been ordered.