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.
At a Thursday night District 102 School Board meeting, parents raised concerns over the possible transition of the BASE after-school program into the hands of the La Grange Park District.
Students at Lyons Township High School can still sign up for a free cardiac screening that will take place Nov. 17 at South Campus and Nov. 18 at North Campus.
La Grange Park Public Works Director Julius Hansen is moving on from the village for new opportunities in Glen Ellyn.
La Grange Park trustees are considering the purchase of iPads for Village Board and staff in an effort to go paperless, save money.
La Grange area residents will join together on Nov. 15 as a 1000-voice chorus pays tribute to American troops in “America: A Tribute to Heroes Past, Present and Future."
Evidence is being evaluated by the state attorney's office and charges may follow on Friday.
Nathan Arger, 32, pleaded not guilty today to charges of transportation and possession of child pornography. Arger will remain on home confinement and electronic monitoring. La Grange Park Police say they will keep up patrols in the area.
At a Tuesday night meeting, representatives from the United States Post Office answered resident's questions about future services, surveys and the possible closure of the La Grange Park branch.
A visitation for Kelli O'Laughlin has been set for Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hallowell & James Funeral Home. The funeral will be held on Friday at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs.
On a cold Friday night, students, parents and community members gathered to mourn the loss of Kelli O'Laughlin with a candlelight vigil at Lyons Township High School's South Campus.
The body of 14-year-old girl Kelli O'Laughlin was found Thursday afternoon in an Indian Head Park Home; police are investigating her death as a homicide.
The U.S. Post Office is considering whether to close the La Grange Park branch. Tell us what you think.
La Grange Park Fire Chief is look for a few good residents to help out their neighbors.
A memorial service for Mary Freitag will be held on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at Windsor Park in Carol Stream.
On Monday night, La Grange trustees voted against adding new stops signs on Maple Avenue until further study can be done in a vote split 3 to 4.
La Grange police officer Sgt. Marge Kielczynski wins award from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
Halloween at the YMCA was a blast. Check out our photos of La Grange and La Grange Park residents who stopped by our table for some tricks and treats!
Here are a few items from the La Grange and La Grange Park police blotters.
Nearly 80 percent of students at Lyons Township High School are participating in co-curricular activities, board reports.
Patch's coverage of La Grange and La Grange Park police department activities.
