I'm excited for the opportunity to contribute to Patch.com and share local news and happenings in the communities where I live, work and play. I am a former television reporter/anchor for CLTV.  Most recently, I've been raising my three very busy, active children and trying to juggle, balance it all. I have a Journalism degree from the University of Iowa. Following graduation, I took a job as a photographer at WICD-TV in Champaign, IL. I moved up as a reporter and eventually anchored the morning cut-ins. I picked up and relocated with my husband to South Florida where I worked at WPTV in West Palm Beach. After deciding to leave the sun & sand to move back to Chicago (I know crazy), we returned home and settled in the Northwest suburbs. I grew up in Northbrook and I'm happy to be close to family and friends.