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.
Students screened for deadly virus | Daycare death not guilty plea | Grain bin accident | Pot foes don't deter alderman | Dog dispute
See which companies topped Fortune’s list from Illinois in 2020.
Mansion has secret hiding places | Headliners announced for fests | Special prosecutor in DUI officer's death | Teen rammed cop cars: police
10-year Berwyn Police Department veteran Charles Schauer was killed in an early morning crash on Sunday.
Police said the employees were ordered to get on the ground and then struck in the face. One employee's car was stolen.
Mayor steps down amid probe | IL natives head to Super Bowl | Fallen state trooper honored | Shots fired outside Walmart
The chain currently has six Illinois locations and will reportedly be closing all of its stores.
Authorities responded to the possible sighting of a man wanted for murder in Montgomery.
A Plainfield man is charged with DUI in a crash that happened 2 minutes before a second crash that took an off-duty officer's life.
Earlier this month, the chain said it would likely close 450 stores. Since then, 260 have been removed from the website.
A Joliet police officer is charged in connection with the death of an off-duty Berwyn officer.
Friday night's snowstorm brought nearly 5 inches to some areas. Expect a steep temperature drop and wind gusts of up to 45 mph Saturday.
Snow prompted the FAA to order a ground stop at O'Hare; meanwhile, hundreds of flights were cancelled and delayed at both Chicago airports.
Local teen on 'Ellen' | Man squeezed babies: cops | Missing man found with gun | Asst. principal steps down after DUI | Serial shoplifter
Newspaper evacuated | Teens missing | Puppy Bowl back-up pup | Legionnaires' | Soldier dies in training free fall | Sick teen loses dog
The cutest sports rivalry on TV, Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl on Feb. 2, Super Bowl Sunday features a pooch from Illinois.
The news comes a week after cases were diagnosed at two nursing homes in Chicago.
HGTV home for sale | Judge OKs Freund media coverage | Sister speaks on missing woman's death | Suburban Ponzi scheme | Teen honored
Plainfield fire officials believe the blaze started in the garage.
Stolen lotto tickets | Catholic schools to close | 5 things about suspected serial killer | Missing woman found dead | Failed jewelry heist
