Oak Forest, IL|News|
Forest Ridge D142 Board Candidate Dr. Matthew Beasland: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4 election. Matthew Beasland is running for Forest Ridge D142 Board of Education.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
- Tinley Park, IL
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.
Posting Activity
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Forest Ridge D142 Board Candidate Nichole Lies: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4 election. Nichole Lies is running for Forest Ridge D142 Board of Education.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Orland D135 Board Candidate Linda Peckham Dodge: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Linda Peckham Dodge is running for Orland D135 Board of Education.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Suspects Shoot At Owner In Interrupted Car Burglary: Orland PD
The owner awoke to suspects trying to get into his vehicles, police said. He approached them, and they fired at him.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Obituary: Linda Rose Merz, 73
A funeral was held February 18.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Resident Burned, Firefighter Injured In Fire At Tinley Park Townhouse
Crews were called early Monday morning to a fire at a townhouse in Odyssey subdivision.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Missing Manhattan Teen Found Safe: A 'Monumental Relief', Dad Says
Lana Roemer, 16, was found safe Thursday, her family shared on social media. Her family is relieved to have her home.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
New Lenox Man, 18, Steals Car From Metra Lot, Nabbed 3 Days Later: PD
The man stole the car on a Monday, and was arrested on Thursday, police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Orland District 135 Board Candidate Patti Thanos: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Patti Thanos is running for Board of Education for Orland D135.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
New Lenox District 122 Board Candidate Samantha Gasca: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Samantha Gasca is running for Board of Education for New Lenox D122.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Village Of Tinley Park Trustee Candidate Diane Galante: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Diane Galante is running for trustee for the Village of Tinley Park.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Flossmoor Takes On South Bend In 'Strongest Town' Challenge
Voting begins Monday, March 20. Find out more about how you can help Flossmoor win.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
'She's a Firecracker': Will Co. Girl, 3, In Running For Adaptive Bike
Dixie Mae Barclay, who has spina bifida, could use a little help from her friends to win a contest for a bike made just for her.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Developer's Lawsuit Could Jeopardize Completion Of $37M Tinley Project
Construction of Boulevard at Central Station apartments complex is paused, while the business partners behind it are locked in a dispute.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Oak Forest's First Cannabis Dispensary Coming Soon: City
Be. Dispensary will be located at 5940 W. 159th St.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Village Of Tinley Park Trustee Candidate William Brennan: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. William Brennan is running for trustee for the Village of Tinley Park.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Village Of Tinley Park Clerk Candidate Nancy O'Connor: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Nancy O'Connor is running for Village of Tinley Park Clerk.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Village Of Tinley Park Trustee Candidate Michael Mueller: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Michael Mueller is running for trustee for the Village of Tinley Park.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Orland D135 Board Candidate Francis 'Frank' Lattyak: Election '23
Patch is providing candidate profiles for the April 4, 2023 election. Francis Lattyak is running for Orland District 135 Board of Education.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Early Voting Begins March 20 At Oak Forest City Hall
Oak Forest residents can vote ahead of Election Day, on select days.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
