OPPL Welcomes Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Bill Healy

The Orland Park Public Library is excited to announce a special event featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bill Healy on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. Healy, a celebrated journalist and educator, will share insights from his remarkable career in journalism and engage in a Q&A session with attendees. Community members are encouraged to register early to reserve their seats for this unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in audio storytelling.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bill Healy to the Orland Park Public Library,” said Library Director Mary Adamowski. “His work as a journalist and educator has had a profound impact on how we understand stories of inequality and the human experience. This event is a rare opportunity for our community to hear from a Pulitzer Prize-winning storyteller who has dedicated his career to giving voice to those who are often unheard.”

Healy's accomplishments in journalism are noteworthy. He teaches documentary audio at Northwestern University and has produced two critically acclaimed podcasts with the Invisible Institute: You Didn’t See Nothin, which won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting, and Somebody, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer in 2021.

A native of Chicago’s southwest suburbs, Healy's journey began at Georgetown University, where he majored in Sociology. After graduation, he returned to Chicago to teach fifth grade before earning two master’s degrees from Northwestern University in education and journalism.

Over his career, Healy has worked on stories with renowned media outlets like NPR, the BBC, and This American Life. He spent many years editing and producing StoryCorps for Chicago’s public radio station, WBEZ, and is recognized for his dedication to telling stories about inequality in Chicago.

One of Healy's notable projects involved guiding students at Steel City Academy in Gary, Indiana, to create a podcast that highlighted environmental issues affecting their school. This work garnered national attention and demonstrated his commitment to empowering young voices through storytelling.

“We look forward to an engaging and inspiring evening,” said Adamowski.

Healy’s achievements have earned him several prestigious awards, including the Third Coast International Audio Festival Award and the IDA Documentary Award. In addition to his current role at Northwestern, he has also taught oral history at the University of Chicago.

The Orland Park Public Library, located at 14921 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park, Illinois, welcomes everyone to attend this event. Library hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit the Orland Park Public Library website or call (708) 428-5100. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Bill Healy and gain insights into the world of journalism and audio storytelling.