Tinley Park|News|
Shooter Stays In Jail | Rescue Farm Needs Help | Fest For LEGO Lovers
ALSO: Gun found in traffic stop | Farmers market back in NL | Great Light Fight is on | Santa's Midnight Snack | Package scam warning
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
Tinley Park|News|
Tickets On Sale Now For Crisis Center's 'Sweet Home Chicago' Gala
The Feb. 22 event is one of the nonprofit's largest fundraisers. Proceeds benefit the programs that support domestic violence survivors.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Manhattan Police Warn Of Scam Involving Unexpected Packages
The Better Business Bureau has also warned of the scam hitting victims nationwide.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
Farmers Market Coming Back To New Lenox In 2025: Mayor
The market will be held Thursday evenings in the Commons, May through September. Application for vendors open now.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Challenger To Tinley Mayor, Slate File Appeal After Kicked Off Ballot
A Tinley Park Electoral Board voted last week to remove mayoral challenger Michael Maloney and his Tinley Together slate from the ballot.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Manhattan Rescue Farm Pleads For Public's Help Amid Funding Shortfall
Manhattan's HHH Ranch saw a huge dropoff in donations in 2024, forcing the suspension of their scholarship program.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
'Something Special': Oak Forest Culver's Owner Thrilled To Be In Top 5
The Bremen D228 grad is excited for his team, selected among the top 5 of 1,000 Culver's locations in the country, and vying for $50K.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Tinley Man Vying To Keep 'Great Chicago Light Fight' Title In Town
Eric Schaaf hopes to win ABC7's Great Chicago Light Fight, and repeat the title for Tinley Park.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Orland PD Ramps Up Impaired Driving Patrols For Holiday Stretch
The increased enforcement campaign runs Dec. 13 through Jan. 2, police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
LEGO Lovers' 'Brick Fest Live' Returns To Tinley Park
The interactive fest takes place Dec. 28–29 and features more than a million colorful bricks on display and ready for play.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Metra, Village Celebrate Completion of Homewood Station
Officials gathered on Friday morning to cut the ribbon on the fully completed Homewood Metra station.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Driver Pulled From Car After Crash With Semi On I-57 South: ISP
The driver was injured when their car struck a semi parked on the shoulder, Illinois State Police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Tinley Brewery, Tap Room Bring Back Christmas Cookie Beer For Charity
Flipside Brewing and The Open Bottle will release Santa's Midnight Snack—made to taste like Santa's favorite cookie—on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Chicago Heights, IL|News|
Boy, 15, Missing From Ford Heights: Sheriff
The boy was last seen in the 800 block of Greenwood Avenue on Monday, Dec. 9.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Teen Missing | Sex Claims Plague District | Teacher's $26K Surprise
ALSO: Stolen car crashed minutes later | 20,000 lights at Lockport home | Text-to-911 in Orland | Free microchips | $1M donated to H.S.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
'Like Christmas': D146 Teacher Fighting Cancer Given $26K For Mortgage
A D146 teacher and Lockport resident received the surprise of a lifetime as she again fights ovarian cancer.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Car Stolen In Oak Forest Crashes In Alsip, Chicago Ridge Man Arrested
The car was stolen from the 5600 block of Independence Avenue at 7:45 a.m. The driver behind the wheel crashed it at 8 a.m., police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Superintendent Made Sexual Advances To Ex-Dist. 114 Staffer: Lawsuit
The suit alleges that Rusty Ragon, who has since resigned, made advances and sent a former staffer explicit sexual images.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Oak Forest Residents To Pay More In City Portion Of Property Taxes
Homeowners will see an estimated $50 increase in the City's portion of the property tax bill.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Text-to-911 Service Now Available in Orland Park: Village
Residents in need of emergency services but unable to place a phone call can use the service, effective Tuesday, the Village said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
