I was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. I attained both my bachelor and master degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During my time in local news, I have learned invaluable lessons in journalism, as I teared up while covering the funeral of a beloved couple and chased a renegade miniature pony through a subdivision. I have seen firsthand what responsible, inspiring hyper-local journalism can do for a community.
I started with Patch in 2010, as a Local Editor covering the south suburbs. In 2017, I moved into the national role of Deputy Managing Editor and now Director of Editorial Recruitment and Training, in which I handle the recruiting, hiring, and training of journalists on our team, in addition to other editorial projects. I'm thrilled to contribute in such a way to a news organization I've grown to love so deeply over the past 12 years.
Questions? Concerns? Comments? You have my full attention at lauren.traut@patch.com, or 708-323-6173.
Owners of JBD White Horse Inn sister location Pony Express strike deal for kitchen space, bring favorites from both to NL American Legion.
The crash happened Sunday afternoon on I-80 westbound, two miles east of Route 30 in New Lenox.
The new location will be under the same ownership as those in New Lenox and Oak Lawn, the owner said.
The incident happened Friday night in the 200 block of N. Prairie Road, police said.
The incident happened in the 1600 block of Glenbrooke Lane Sunday, the gun owner told police.
The fire started in a Ford County bean field Sunday, jumping roads and consuming several fields. Crews from 40 departments fought it.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
Halloween is just a few weeks away; so it's time to pick your perfect pumpkin.
The fire started in tall grass before spreading into a wooded area nearby. It took 50 firefighters to battle the blaze Saturday.
Haunted Hollows Fest features a haunted house, family fun, concessions & vendor fair Thursdays-Sundays until Nov. 2. Live music Saturdays.
The walk is set for Sunday, Oct. 12, and includes a 5K, 1 mile, and a special 10-Step Survivor Walk at Homewood's Irwin Park.
The Halloween-themed trolley circuit is set for Wednesday, Oct. 29.
An entire town was on lockdown after a man allegedly shot his wife, then reportedly killed her parents, state police said.
The man was arrested Thursday, Oct. 2, after police searched his home and found evidence of child sex abuse materials, state police said.
