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.
Parent company L Brands announced it plans to close 50 Bath & Body Works and 250 Victoria's Secret locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Is it the Land of Lincoln or the land of busybodies?
Chipotle and Edible Arrangements are among eateries offering free food and goodies to 2020 graduates this spring.
Some states will see a lot of rain. Others can expect scorching heat. Here’s what the Almanac says for Illinois
Thousands of nursing home residents have died of COVID-19, but regular testing may be unsustainable without additional funding.
The entire state is on track to move into phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan allowing coronavirus restrictions to loosen.
Park district sues Pritzker | Coronavirus: costumes lift spirits | 3 fireworks shows | Lightfoot: no restaurant reopenings | Brewpub closed
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and the day when pools typically reopen across Illinois — but coronavirus is changing that.
IL boosts testing | MJ's record-setting shoes | River tragedy | Lisagor award | Church gets warning | Woman, 107, survives pandemics
Pier 1 reportedly plans to close all stores, while JCPenney will close up to 200 stores nationwide.
The game-worn Air Jordan 1s sold Sunday for $560,000 as the "Last Dance" documentary about the Bulls legend aired its final episodes.
Unemployment website leaks info | Lawsuit over 911 dispatcher's death | Ribfest canceled | Town may sue state | No PPE as restaurants open
Plainfield's Electric Park had been closed for several days due to flooding.
He was released in February after serving about half of a 14-year sentence and stripped of his law license in March.
Torrential downpours prompted flash flood warnings across the Chicago area.
Police said the 27-year-old barricaded himself in his home and threatened to set his ex-girlfriend's property on fire.
A 19-year-old is also charged with aggravated arson in a fire that sent a 15-year-old to the hospital with smoke inhalation.
'Brief tornadoes' | Teen shot in the back, killed | Accused killer wants to study virus | 'League of Their Own' love | Woman spit at nurse
The former Glen Ellyn resident passed away May 12.
The Humane Society of the United States included issues at 2 Illinois puppy mills in its annual “Horrible Hundred” report.
