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 double majoring in journalism and English.
I graduated 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.
Human remains found in trash can | Bridge reopens after 3 years | Brazen armored truck robbery | Woman killed in skydiving accident
Dems recapture control in Lansing | Charges in deadly Halloween store shooting | Veteran's Day discounts
"Door kick challenge" danger | Massive Halloween party with 150 teens leads to arrest, gun found | Halloween crackdown | 4 dead in fire |
Killer sentenced in parent's death | Dollar store robber returned to scene of crime: cops | Man guilty in home invasion
Holidays begin at Lite FM | Stabbing suspect attempted to use "incendiary device:" University | E-scooter rider fatally hit by squad car
Police received a report that a male suspect was physically assaulting a female victim before shoving her into a vehicle and driving away.
Missing man's remains ID'd 4 years after he vanished | Walmart employee killed at store, man arrested | Pritzker's win marks historic first
She joins Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who has already achieved a long line of "firsts" in her time in office.
South Side native Stratton faced off against Urbana-born attorney Tracy.
Escaped killer last known to be in Illinois recaptured | Violence prevention leader killed in shooting | K-9 dies unexpectedly
Stratton will take on the former Illinois GOP chairman on Tuesday.
Here's when and where to vote, what's on your ballot and everything else you need to know for the Nov. 3 election in Illinois.
ALSO: Man accused of recording girl in shower | I-80 hit-and-run | Pets die in house fire | School report cards released | Fiery crash death
Updated Halloween forecast | Reckless homicide charge in 911 dispatcher's death | Hate crime arrest
MI paranormal rankings | Massage therapist charged with sexual assault | Beloved restaurants close after decades
Man beat "judgmental" neighbor with bat: cops | Fixed $17M budget error won't save school | Mom's cancer battle inspires AI detection tool
The Chicago-area native is reportedly registered to vote in Will County and submitted his mail-in ballot, the Vatican said.
PLUS: Red Bull heist, charges filed after Halloween costume gun discharges, Bears stadium deal near.
Fugitive killer's stolen truck found in IL | Bystanders rescue driver from fiery crash | School board member charged with $1.3M fraud
FBI agent fatally shoots man | Free Powerball tickets up for grabs as jackpot hits $716M | "Disgruntled" ex-employee accused in burglaries
