I knew I wanted to be a writer at a young age, and never dreamed of doing anything else. My love of writing was born when a grade-school teacher encouraged me to try my hand at fiction. I took her advice, but quickly gave up make-believe stories for the real thing.
I got involved with my high school newspaper before double majoring in journalism and English.
I graduated in 2002 and landed my first newspaper job within six months. I spent eight years at The Enterprise newspaper in Plainfield, where I developed my passion for community journalism.
When a coworker pointed me in the direction of Patch.com, I jumped at the chance to be part of the future of local news.
Madigan pick ousted already | Fatal kitchen fire | US Attorney will stay, for now | Flavortown, Illinois | Lottery win | Racetrack for sale
Bailey wants to unseat Pritzker | Baby awaiting heart transplant dies | Mayor vaccinated ahead of essential workers | TV show takes over
Snow is expected to start Sunday afternoon and taper off after midnight — then a warmup is coming.
Fish fry Friday | 2 shoot each other at mall | Inept unemployment | Car parade for 95-year-old vet | Metra to buy no-emission locomotives
Asked to wear mask, man pulls gun | Bomb threat | Limited vaccine shipment | Police oppose reform bill | WTTW director fired | Home alone
Inmate bedtime stories | Victim catches carjacker | Best hospitals | Celeb engagement | First woman becomes chief
Paczki in high demand | Pritzker challenger | Another state trooper hit | Roof collapse at horse stable | No first doses | Parade canceled
Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for all 102 counties in Illinois Tuesday morning.
Valley View joins numerous other districts in going remote due to the snow.
A winter storm warning remains in place for Will and Kendall counties, with up to 9 inches of snow. But some kids will still attend classes.
UPDATE: A crash involving a state trooper's vehicle closed all lanes of northbound I-55 for hours on Monday.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we celebrate most holidays, but Paczki Day lives on.
Some areas are expected to get up to 13 inches of snow by Tuesday as wind chills of minus 10 to minus 20 are possible.
IL natives in Super Bowl | Giant snowman | Kinzinger votes to punish Greene | Last-ditch CTU offer
The rate of firearm catches at airports nationally skyrocketed during the first nine months of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here is where Illinois ranks in migration growth based on one-way U-Haul trucks that crossed state borders in 2020.
More snow is coming, and wind chills as low as minus 30. How to stay safe while heating your home, avoiding dangerous cold and traveling.
Polar bear sculpture | Neuroscientist found dead amid scandal | Snow phallus brings delight, dismay | IL lawmakers cut vaccine line |
As America ramps up its vaccination effort, see how Illinois compares to others on administering doses.
Missing teen found | $3M scam | Official wants weed stores | Vaccination numbers | Illegal sports gambling |
