Hank Beckman, Neighbor
- Downers Grove, IL
I've been interested in journalism and government for as long as I can remember. But before I actually began my writing career, I spent 25 years in the delivery business, serving in various hourly and management positions for two different companies.
After an 1998 accident left me on crutches for two years, I entered graduate school and earned an M.A. in general writing from DePaul University.
With my undergraduate degree in political science, also from DePaul, I try to bring a perspective to my work that not only highlights specific local issues, but tries to place them in the larger context of the state and nation as a whole.
I've spent the last seven years as a freelance writer in the Western suburbs. My work has been a combination of reporting on local governments and school districts and general assignment features writing.
The last year I've covered village government for the <i>Downers Grove</i> <i>Sun </i>while continuing to contribute features and local reporting for other <i>STNG</i> publications.
In 2009, the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association honored me with an award for consumer reporting for an article I wrote on affordable housing in Naperville.
I'm a lifelong bachelor whose dedication to the Chicago Cubs has been severely tested over the years. Suffice it to say that there are times when I would describe myself as a die-hard fan; catch me on a bad day, however, and I might wish they would go away and leave me alone.
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