I grew up in Joliet, where I attended Catholic schools, graduating from Joliet Catholic Academy in 1997.
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 enrolling at the University of St. Francis with a double major in journalism and English.
I graduated with honors 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.
On Thursday, Gov. Pritzker said one Illinois county is going in the "wrong direction" and could soon have restrictions put back in place.
Dunkin' has announced that 800 U.S. restaurants could close in 2020, including 450 Speedway Dunkin' locations.
Around 200 boats filled with even more maskless people showed up for the party along the Illinois River.
The now-fired employee faces multiple charges, and troopers will no longer patronize that location, police said.
As the coronavirus persists and demand for hand sanitizers grows, people in Illinois may have brands that contain dangerous methanol.
Ruse burglary | HIV discrimination | 4 states on quarantine list | Toddler shot | Data breach? | Coronavirus and 20-somethings
An air conditioner unit caught fire, damaging the exterior of the home.
Coronavirus update | Teachers protest in-person classes | Coronavirus ends buffet | Columbus statue | Virtual Lollapalooza
There are no plans to reschedule. IHSA hasn't yet decided the fate of high schools sports, which could also be canceled until 2021.
How to watch Cubs | Woman dies of heat stroke | Columbus statues gone | Longtime weatherman dies | Kanye paid for signatures
The parent company of Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant, Cacique and other brands is closing more than 1,000 stores.
Taft retired in 2018 and spent his time with family, golfing and driving for Uber.
Boy, 7, drowns | Kanye's friend speaks | 7 years in teen's death | Theater delays reopening | Teen's organs help others
The Cubs and Sox host their home openers this week.
Small plane crashes | Arson apartment fire | Lucasfilm honors whistleblower | Wright house saved | Teacher fired
Kanye for prez? | Teen beats homeless man | Walmart closed for Thanksgiving | Cold case solved? | Celebrity home sale
Feds in Chicago | Portillo's delivery | Teachers: start school year online | Questions remain in swimmer's drowning | Ex-deputy charged
The news comes amid reports of federal agents quelling Portland protesters by grabbing them off the streets in unmarked vehicles.
Since George Floyd’s death on Memorial Day, nearly 200 Confederate monuments and symbols have been removed in numerous U.S. states.
Deputies found nearly 200 people at a large party, and saw one person begin shooting into the crowd.
