I come to Patch after working in a wide variety of media environments, with experience in traditional newspaper reporting as well as on the Internet. In the past, I've reported on Chicago's vibrant arts community for the Chicago Journal and done investigative reporting at the Chicago Reporter and org. I graduated in 2009 from Columbia College with a B.A. in Journalism. </b>
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<b>My investigative series on childhood lead poisoning rates in Chicago, published at ChicagoTalks, won a 2009 Peter Lisagor Award from the Chicago Headline Club in the Neighborhood/ Community News category. The series was also a finalist for a 2009 Investigative Reporters and Editors Award.</b>
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In Chicago, I also founded Jettison Media LLC, which publishes the arts and culture magazine Jettison Quarterly where I also serve as editor in chief.
I am very interested in the future of journalism on the Internet and am excited by Patch's hyper-local focus on news in communities across the country. But aside from journalism, my interests also include music, literature, movies and the arts.
I hope to see you all around town. Feel free to shoot me an email about any topic under the sun.
<b>Your Beliefs</b><br>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br><br><b>Politics </b><br>I consider myself to be an independent. I don't think any one party has all the answers, or knows the best way to get everything accomplished. To me, working with people from a variety of different backgrounds, usually ensures the best results. I like to consider the grey areas, because to me, no issue is black and white. I consider myself to be progressive in my ideology and letting people make the best decisions for themselves. I consider myself to be open, caring and compassionate and think that is reflected in my views on many social and political issues. If you'd like to know my views on specific topic or event, feel free to email me.<br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I am not religious.<br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>I make it my mission to provide only the facts and to not editorialize. Issues involving schools are especially important to me, as well as a government's duties to its citizens to be both fiscally and socially responsible and fair.
Grab your gear: auditions are being held tonight at 6 p.m. at Lyons Township High School's South Campus in Western Springs.
The La Grange Park branch of the United States Post Office has signed a lease for their facility on 31 Street. Village officials consider it a good sign in fight to save branch threatened with closure last year.
Grab your gear: auditions are being held tonight at 6 p.m. at Lyons Township High School's South Campus in Western Springs.
Expected to hit 250,000 customers this summer and celebrating 10 years in La Grange this August, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory prepares with prizes and events.
The Yankees beat the Indians 10-5 to take home the Championship in the La Grange Little League's A League division.
Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park will be holding a memorial prayer service for John Michalek on July 10.
We've got lots of tips, treats and fun fact about Independence Day. Celebrate the Fourth of July with La Grange Patch!
The body of John Michalek, 62, was recovered Monday. Michalek, a social studies teacher at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, went missing Thursday in the water at West Loon Lake.
The body of John Michalek, 62, was recovered Monday, Anitoch Fire Department officials said. Michalek was a social studies teacher at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park who went missing Thursday in the water at West Loon Lake.
The body of John Michalek, 62, was recovered Monday, Anitoch Fire Department officials said. Michalek was a social studies teacher at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park who went missing Thursday in the water at West Loon Lake.
Congratulations Tigers for a hard fought game and season!
The utility said it had restored 96,000 customers as of 8 p.m. Sunday after a storm that featured high winds, rain and hail earlier in the day.
Only a few days away, we want to know what sets off your fuse on the 4th of July? Going on vacation, explosions in the sky, or BBQ?
Deborah Tracy, principal at Nazareth Academy in La Grange, said teacher John Michalek will be greatly missed by students and staff. Michalek is believed to have drowned in a lake near suburban Antioch Thursday.
Crews are still searching for John Michalek, a social studies teacher at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park who went swimming Thursday in West Loon Lake near Antioch.
Deborah Tracy, principal at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, said teacher John Michalek will be greatly missed by students and staff. Michalek is believed to have drowned in a lake near suburban Antioch Thursday.
A lawsuit filed by Cook County officials alleges a La Grange Park-based business and its owner, David Gerger, took more than $20,000 in payments from two homeowners for work that was never performed.
Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3), statement about his continued opposition to the Affordable Car Act, which the Supreme Court upheld Thursday.
Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has released the following statement about his continued opposition to the Affordable Care Act, which the Supreme Court upheld Thursday.
Representative Dan Lipinski (IL-3), whose offices are in La Grange, has released the following statement about his continued opposition to the Affordable Car Act, which the Supreme Court upheld Thursday.