Palos, IL|News|
Back To School: Palos Heights Dist. 128 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
The first day of school for Palos Heights Dist 128 grade K-8 students is Aug. 20. Preschool starts Aug. 27. More dates to know.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
- Oak Lawn, IL
- Website
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.
Posting Activity
Oak Lawn|News|
Back To School: Ridgeland Dist. 122 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
The first day of school for Ridgeland Dist. 122 students is Aug. 17. Here are all the dates you need to know for the 2026-2027 school year.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Back To School: Atwood Heights Dist. 125 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
The first day of school for Atwood Heights Dist. 125 students in grades 1-8 is Aug. 20. Kindergarten starts Aug. 21. More dates to know.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
South Side, IL|News|
Father Pfleger Faces 'Storm Within' As Archdiocese Officials Meet To Review Latest Child Sex Abuse Claim
The Archdiocese of Chicago's Independent Review Board will meet Saturday to review the latest sex abuse claim against Fr. Michael Pfleger.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Evergreen Park, IL|News|
Evergreen Park Community High School Welcomes New Staff Members For 2026-2027 School Year
New staff hires include an industrial technology teacher, a school psychologist, a public relations director, and a TMS paraprofessional.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Back To School: Cook County Dist. 130 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Dist. 130 kindergarten through eighth grade students return to school Aug. 17, with the first day of preschool on Aug. 19.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Back To School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Dist. 123 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
The first day of school for Oak Lawn-Hometown Dist. 123 students is Aug. 19. Here are the dates you need to know for the new school year.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Evergreen Park, IL|News|
Back To School: Evergreen Park ESD 124 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Evergreen Park ESD 124 students return to school for a half-day on Aug. 20 for grades K-8. Preschool starts Aug. 24.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
South Side, IL|News|
Custodians' Deaths Inside Garfield Ridge School Ruled Murder-Suicide: Medical Examiner
The Cook County Medical Examiner has ruled the deaths of two custodians found with gunshot wounds inside a school to be murder-suicide.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Meet Over 30 Employers From Diverse Industries Thursday At Worth Township Community Job Fair
Twenty-six employers from diverse industries will be on hand to meet with job hunters Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Worth Township Center in Alsip.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Back To School: Palos Consolidated School Dist. 118 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Grades 1-8 start school Aug. 19, with preschool and kindergarten starting Aug. 20 at Palos Consolidated School Dist. 118 schools.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Power Lines Down All Over Palos Park After Severe Storms Pass Through
Motorists are urged to use caution and avoid areas where downed live wires have been reported, police say.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Back To School: Oak Lawn Community High School Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Freshmen and new students report Aug. 14, with all grades reporting for the first day of school Aug. 17 at Oak Lawn Community High School.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
South Side, IL|News|
2 Dead In Shooting At CPS Elementary School On Southwest Side, Weapon Recovered At Scene: CPD
A 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were both found inside Mark Twain Elementary School with gunshot wounds to the head, CPD said.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
South Suburban Death Notices, Week Of August 10
South suburban obituaries and available visitation information.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Evergreen Park, IL|News|
Back To School: Evergreen Park Community High School Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Freshmen/transfer student orientation is Aug. 12, with all grades reporting for the first day of school Aug. 13 at EPCHS.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Back To School: North Palos School Dist. 117 Academic Calendar 2026-2027
The first day of school for NPSD 117 will be Aug. 14 for K-8 students, with the first day of preschool Aug. 18.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Back To School: Shepard High School Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Freshmen report Aug. 11 with all grades reporting Aug. 12 at Shepard High School.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Back To School: Eisenhower High School Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Freshmen report Aug. 11, with all grades reporting Aug. 12 at Eisenhower High School.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Back To School: Richards Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Freshmen report Aug. 11 with all grades reporting Aug. 12 at Richards High School.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
