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.
When people started shooting fireworks at first responders, Bridgeview police returned in an armored vehicle to break up the crowd.
The 56-year-old man died from injuries caused by a dog mauling, Cook County Medical Examiner said.
The suspect was shot in the abdomen after he opened fire on two Chicago police officers after fleeing a traffic stop, CPD said.
Provided that the weather cooperates, Oak Lawn fireworkswill blast off Saturday, July 4, at Richards High School.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in and around Oak Lawn.
Patricia "PJ" Perez, 14, of Burbank, has been missing since June 7. She was last seen near Mason Avenue and 79th Street.
The Trump-controlled Federal Communications Commission is reviewing broadcast licenses for several stations across the country.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in and around Beverly-Mt. Greenwood.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in and around Alsip-Crestwood.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in and around Evergreen Park.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in and around Palos.
The announcement on Wednesday came after weeks of rumors that the police superintendent was mulling retirement.
Cook County Sheriff's Police said the Honda Accord was initially pulled over because the driver and passengers weren't wearing seatbelts.
Celebrate Independence Day at Commissioner's Park in Bridgeview, July 3, for family fun, fireworks, food trucks, the Wienermobile and more.
In Instacart’s 2025 state-by-state data, Illinois shoppers ordered 27 percent less corn, with Vermont over-indexed on corn at 40 percent.
The OLCHS Dist. 229 school board is accepting applications from district residents to fill a board vacancy through July 13.
Melanie Marquez, 4, who is being treated for medulloblastoma, and her family got a behind-the-scenes tour of the White Sox clubhouse.
The Palos Park man and owner of an Oak Lawn methadone clinic allegedly billed $75M to Medicaid for therapy services that never happened.
Chicago police said the 28-year-old driver lost control of the car and hit a fire hydrant in the 4700 block of South State Street.
Here's some information to survive the excessive heat, including Oak Lawn and Hometown cooling centers and where to report a power outage.
