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.
From a horse extrication to an email error that kept an athlete from Wimbledon, here's the weirdest and wildest Illinois news of 2018.
Former CEO and current chairman Eddie Lampert submitted a $4.4 billion bid just before Friday's deadline.
Whole Foods, ALDI, Meijer: Here’s which grocery stores in Illinois are open over New Year’s.
Ex mayor dies | Lawsuit in death of boy, 7 | Elderly pedestrian dies in hit and run | Teen found dead near tracks | Gunman poses as mailman
Parent company Sears Holdings will liquidate unless a viable bid comes in Friday, and two MN stores are set to close.
Illinois-based parent company Sears will liquidate unless a viable bid comes in Friday.
Teen's big win helps others | Gold coins donated | Cops save baby, 5 others from fire | Best place to live | Ploy to avoid ticket backfires
Quadrantids kick off 2019, which will have a trifecta of supermoons and a total lunar eclipse. Here’s what to expect in Illinois.
New Year’s Eve is one of the deadliest nights on the nation’s highways. Here’s where Illinois ranks in impaired driving deaths.
Everything you need to eat next year: Put these Illinois restaurants and bars on your 2019 culinary bucket list.
Stolen puppy | No Women's March | CPD seizes illegal guns | Armed robber only gets pizza | IL congressman wants Paul Ryan out of gym
2nd officer laid to rest | Cops surprise boy with cancer | Girl gets Christmas surprise | Realtor's $23M Ponzi scheme | Found: Photo album
Letter: Over $16,000 in contributions helped provide holiday meals for those in need.
Got a gift that doesn't quite work for you? Here's how long you have to return it.
A new analysis suggests the availability of certain amenities and services may determine the success of New Year’s resolutions in Chicago.
Property crimes are actually down during the winter, but thieves in Illinois are opportunists during the holiday season.
More than 160,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products have been added to the recall. In Wisconsin, 7 cases of illness were reported.
More than 160,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products have been added to the recall. In Michigan, 8 cases of illness were reported.
More than 160,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products have been added to the recall. In Minnesota, 18 cases of illness were reported.
More than 160,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products have been added to the recall. In Illinois, 21 cases of illness were reported.