South Side, IL|News|
South Side Chicago Alderman Indicted
Willie Cochran accused of extortion and other federal charges as he used cash to pay for college tuition and gambling.

As editor-in-chief, Dennis oversees Patch's local reporting teams across the country. In that time, Patch staffers have been recognized with awards from the National Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Chicago Headline Club, the Cleveland Press Club, and others.
Before joining Patch in 2010, Dennis got some ink on his hands in Chicago during stints with Sun-Times Media and the Copley Press, where he led investigative and public service reporting teams that changed laws, helped people and put a few bad guys in jail. He was managing editor of the Daily Southtown in suburban Chicago, twice named National Newspaper of the Year for large-circulation dailies by the American Press Institute. During his tenure, the Southtown received a dozen awards for General Excellence, the Chicago Headline Club Watchdog Award, AP Top 10 Sports Section in America honors, Best Commentary Section in Illinois three years in a row, and dozens of writing, reporting, public service and photojournalism awards.
Politically, he's independent, and his tally of votes for Republicans vs. Democrats is about equal. (Or so he says.) Outside of work, he's an always hopeful yet frequently dismayed Cleveland Browns fan. He likes dogs, and dogs like him. He likes pizza a bit too much, Ernest Hemingway's books, P.J. O'Rourke's commentary, and home renovation projects.
email: dennis@patch.com
Willie Cochran accused of extortion and other federal charges as he used cash to pay for college tuition and gambling.

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