Community Corner
16 Illinois People to Remember From 2016
The most interesting "people" stories from the Illinois Patch network from the past year.
Great stories are nothing without great people. For better or worse, it is the actions of people that make us compelled to open a book, do some research or even try to better ourselves.
Illinois has no shortage of good “people stories,” and all of us at Patch have been honored to share some of those with you.
We had so many this year, it was tough to choose just 16. So we added additional sections you can find at the bottom here for other nominations and for all of the compelling Cubs fan stories we’ve told this year.
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But first, here are 16 of our most compelling people from 2016.
Jerry Pollard, the 84-year-old Northbrook grandfather who earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University this year, proves that no one’s education really stops. “You never stop learning,” he said days after becoming NEIU’s oldest graduate in more than 50 years. Patch asked Pollard about the three most important lessons he learned while attending classes, interacting with professors and classmates, and living the college life with full-time students. - Joe Vince
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Melanie Kruchten of Wheaton gave birth to her daughter, Lucy, in her own front yard. Crediting the help of her neighbor who just happens to be a labor and delivery room nurse, Melanie’s baby became a national trend: #LawnBaby. - Amie Rowland
Fidencio Sanchez came out of retirement as a paletas vendor in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood after his daughter's death and his wife's illness. When a Wisconsin restaurant owner posted a photo of the 89-year-old Sanchez to Facebook after spotting him during a Chicago visit, it sparked a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $400,000 to allow Sanchez to have a day off from work. But even with the amount raised from the campaign, Sanchez still has no plans to quit his gig as “popsicle man.” - Joe Vince
Kerry Ryan Lynch, a native of Evergreen Park, has brought her message of choosing kindness to more than 100 schools in the Chicago area, often with her 4-year-old daughter Mary Cate in tow, who was born with Apert Syndrome. In February, she accepted the Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award at Little Company of Mary Hospital Foundation’s Crystal Heart Ball. - Lorraine Swanson
Jonah Maxwell, a seventh grader from St. Charles, created a seven-minute long YouTube video about bullying in the social media age. “The Bully” discussed the added prevalence of bullying in recent years and how it can get you “anytime, anywhere.” - Amie Rowland
Laura Williams, of Oak Forest, is the ultimate baseball fan. She’s been to more than 600 consecutive Chicago White Sox home games, an impressive streak that dates back to 2008. This year, she was rewarded for her loyalty when the team presented her a complimentary pair of season tickets. - Tim Moran
Ryan Goldsher, a 19-year-old impression wizard from Northbrook, won a $10,000 prize after appearing on the show “First Impressions with Dana Carvey.” He beat out two other contestants with his on-the-money impressions of Barack Obama, Morgan Freeman and other celebrities with unmistakable voices. - Joe Vince
Jack Aiello, an eighth grader from Arlington Heights, is another youngster who has entertained countless people with his impressions. For Aiello, it was his fellow graduates at Thomas Middle School (and later the Internet world) who were wowed by his spot-on takes of this year’s presidential candidates. His impression of Donald Trump is one that had everyone in the room howling with laughter. - Joe Vince
Tim Potoczny, a Palatine High School alum, bought the squad car formerly used by disgraced Fox Lake Lt. Joseph Gliniewicz at a charity auction when it was still believed Gliniewicz was murdered and died a hero. But even after it was revealed Gliniewicz committed suicide just before he was to face charges of embezzlement, Potoczny was still determined to make a difference. He auctioned it off himself to help support the family of another Illinois police officer who died of a rare form of cancer. - Amie Rowland
Nancy Gianni, the founder of the Hoffman Estates-based Gigi’s Playhouse, was honored this year as a CNN Hero of the Week for her role in creating the center to allow for more education of Down syndrome after her daughter was diagnosed with the disorder in 2003. - Joe Vince
Stormy Kies of Woodstock lost his daughter, Faith, in a tragic murder-suicide in January. Several months later, he ran 200 miles to honor his daughter and “earn” a tattoo she designed for him just before her death. - Amie Rowland
Colleen Martin-Hanley is one of just a few full-time female firefighters in Chicagoland. She has driven the truck for the Evanston Fire Department for the last several years. But it’s her previous career as a gold medal-winning Irish dancer that makes her story so unique. - Tim Moran
Laura Bretan, a 14-year-old opera singer from Northbrook, thrilled the nation with her performances on “America’s Got Talent.” Although she wasn't the show's grand-prize winner, Bretan wowed home viewers and in-studio crowds with striking performances that showed off her rich and soulful vocal talents. In fact, her voice even cracked through judge and series creator Simon Cowell's notoriously snarky demeanor. - Joe Vince
Jake Chanan, a senior at Deerfield High School, pulled off a feat less than 1,000 of every 1.67 million high school students have. He achieved a perfect 1600 score on the SAT. - Tim Moran
Jessica Rodriguez asked her future wife to marry her at the Art Institute of Chicago. But it is the reaction of a total stranger that some say is even more heart warming. - Joe Vince
Dominic Steinhauser, an 8-year-old boy from Frankfort who suffers from the rare CHARGE syndrome, saw his dream come true when the partners at Phillips Chevrolet offered him tickets to see his beloved Chicago Cubs play in the World Series. - Lauren Traut
Steinhauser’s story was one of several heart-warming tales involving the Chicago Cubs and their loyal fans in 2016, which will be remembered as the year the Cubs broke through and won the World Series for the first time in more than a century.
Here’s a look at some of our other favorite Cubs fans of the year.
Bill Murray Surprises Indiana Fan With Extra Ticket to World Series Game
Jerry Pritkin, the ‘Bleacher Preacher,’ Returns to Wrigley Field for World Series
Jim Schlegel, a World War II Vet Who Was at 1945 World Series, Gifted Tickets to 2016 Fall Classic by Marcus Lemonis
Charles Greenstein, Lincolnwood Village Treasurer, at World Series for First Time Since 1938
Kyle Schwarber’s World Series Comeback Thrills Fans in Memorable Year
Anthony Soria Died Days Before Cubs Won Pennant, But Was Buried With Ticket From Clinching Game
Geologist David Johnston is Oak Lawn’s Hero of Mount St. Helens
Deerfield High School Grad Dave Bassett Wrote Hillary Clinton’s ‘Fight Song’
Jill Spatz of Highland Park’s Fertility Bar Creation is One of a Kind
Betsy Eberling of Arlington Heights Talks About Growing Up in Park Ridge with Hillary Clinton
Rachel Weiss Returns Home to Evanston to Be Congregation’s First Female and First Gay Rabbi
‘Hero Dad’ Donnie Rice Aided a Defenseless Man and Was Beaten For His Bravery
Skokie Teacher Dwayne Reed's Rap Video Inspires Kids Entering 4th Grade
Evanston Baseball Coaching Legend Ken McGonagle Revered by Former Athletes Who Want to Name School’s Field After Him
Elgin Resident Ricky Lopez Tells of His Tortilla Making Success and How Business Boomed in Just Six Weeks
Suzanne Luchs of Wheaton Spearheads Effort for Community to Remember ‘Baby Hope’
Jason Schwartz of Deerfield Provides ‘Chicken Soup for Chicago’s Soul’ with Popular ‘Chicago History’ Social Media Pages
From 2015: 10 People You Should Remember From 2015
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