A Michigan native, I spent my formative years growing up in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, before moving back to the States to pursue my journalism degree at Indiana University in Bloomington. After having grown up, studying in and covering several small communities, I've grown to appreciate the individualism and rarity that comes with hyper-local reporting, and am really enjoying working for Patch to cover Chicago's western suburbs. When I'm not making phone calls, writing or reporting, I'm probably feeding my chocolate addiction, watching a musical or trying to keep up with my reading list. Reach me at anicka.slachta@patch.com with any comments, questions, concerns or tips.
"In effect, the ISBE rating penalized us for fiscal year 2015 for being more transparent about our financial position," the district said.
The Darien Police Department had a busy weekend.
Nobody has been arrested in connection with the thefts.
It's easy for smoke detector batteries to malfunction, and it's important to make sure they're working correctly.-
Being selected for the musical is the highest honor a music student can receive in Illinois high schools.
The college professor believes the issue of creating safe gun regulations should be taken up by Congress.
The options are either through a property tax levy, a stormwater utility fee or a combination of the two.
The question is worded complexly — we broke it down for you.
We have the scoop on jobs within a 10-mile radius of Chicago's western suburbs.
The district has reported it's been losing money steadily for the past several years.
The district says that Hinsdale Middle School is in dire need of an update.
The last time the village asked for road improvement money was in 2008.
We broke down this referendum's language so you can understand exactly what you're voting for next week.
The free service can save lives.
Four of the boys are from Countryside, and one is from Brookfield.
Rush Oak Park improved its overall grade immensely in just a matter of months.
The hospital is one of just eight in the Chicago area to receive straight-A's.
The hospital was one of just a handful to receive near-perfect scores this fall.
The hospital is one of a handful in the Chicago area that got an almost perfect grade.
The hospital in Elmhurst is one of only eight in the Chicago area that got straight A grades this fall.