Lorraine Swanson is one of the original Patch editors, and the original editor of Oak Lawn Patch. In addition to Oak Lawn, Swanson is the editor of Palos, Evergreen Park, Alsip-Crestwood and Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch sites.
Before coming to Patch in 2010, Swanson was a community journalist covering local crime, politics and heartwarming features on Chicago’s Far North Side. She also had her own local news site, Lake Effect News, which was rated one of the top 25 blogs in Illinois.
Lately, she enjoys watching videos of tornados and baby eagles being hatched on Facebook. She can be reached at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.
The FBI said there has been an alarming increase in laser strike events in the Chicagoland area over the past few years.
Patch has rounded up the best residential Halloween yard haunts submitted by readers throughout Chicagoland. Here's our list.
Patch has rounded up the best residential Halloween yard haunts submitted by readers in Wil, Grundy and Kendall counties.
Patch has rounded up the best residential Halloween yard haunts submitted by readers in Will, Kendall, Grundy and DeKalb Counties.
Patch has rounded up the best residential Halloween yard haunts submitted by readers in DuPage and Kane Counties.
Patch has rounded up the best residential Halloween yard haunts submitted by readers in Cook County.
The Bridgeview DMV will close temporarily while it is upgraded into a 'one-stop shop,' with a pop-up DMV open Oct. 13 at Worth Twp. Center.
The Alsip Fire Department has all sorts of fun, educational activities planned Saturday, Oct. 10, at an open house at fire station No. 2.
Evergreen Park Community High School recognized 158 students who earned perfect report cards during the 2025-2026 school year.
The IL Lottery is encouraging players to search high and low for a winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket purchased Nov. 7, 2025 at a South Side BP.
Come for an afternoon of fun at Reps. Davis and Crawford's family fall fest Saturday, Oct. 10, at Commissioners Park in Bridgeview.
Raelin Trend was the face of the Ridgeland Dist. 122 school board at all school events and was respected for her kindness and advocacy.
Come bless your pets at area churches Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Come bless your pets at area churches Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Come bless your pets at area churches Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Come bless your pets at area churches Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
A rally is planned Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Nathan Hale Primary to protest filthy schools since D130 board laid off SEIU custodian workers.
Niko Fuentes, 33, lived a few miles away from where he was found with a fatal gunshot wound early Monday, medical examiner records say.
Benjamin "PAC" Satterley, 40, was alone when he was found in a rental vehicle outside a Des Plaines restaurant, news reports say.
Roll out the barrel Sat., Oct. 3 at Klein (Circle) Park for Evergreen Park's Oktoberfest featuring kids' activities, food, drink and music.
