Email: maryl@patch.com
Phone: 630-433-0783
Hometown: Naperville
Birthday: March 5

The best way to describe me is that I'm an observer and a storyteller. My curiosity, interest in meeting people and my love of learning new things has allowed me to be a successful reporter.

Growing up in Calumet City, I was was the youngest of four children and the only girl. During my formative years, I suffered many bumps, bruises and nuggies at the hands of three older brothers, which may have toughened me up for a career in journalism.

I lived in Cal City most of my life until relocating to Boulder, Colo. for graduate school. Once in Colorado, I spent eight years studying and working before returning to the Chicago area. I have a bachelor's degree in political science from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in print journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I interned at The Boulder Daily Camera and The Daily News Leader in Staunton, Va., and I'm a Chips Quinn Scholar.

A journalist for more than 10 years, I started working at small-town papers, inluding The Durango Herald, in Durango, Colo., where I covered a variety of beats including agriculture, education and business. During my time as a journalist, I've won many awards, including six awards in one year.

In 2005, I moved to online journalism, first for YourHub.com and later the Sun-Times News Group. Now, I'm extremely happy to be working for Patch.com, covering all types of news. I am enjoying covering Glen Ellyn For Patch and while at Patch have also worked covering news for Naperville.

In my free time, I enoy doing yoga or spending time at the dog park with my dog Sadie. I love the outdoors, look forward to ski season and I'm planning to participate in another triathalon this year.

If you see me in a local coffee shop, stop and say hello.

Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. We also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. In the spirit of simple honesty, we encourage editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license to inject our beliefs into stories or dictate coverage according to them. Rather, we hope the knowledge our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair and balanced manner. If you ever see evidence we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics 
I lean to the left a little. Maybe because one leg is shorter than the other. Seriously, I was born the child of two conservative parents, I had no choice but to rebel. I believe, I'm a registered Democrat. But, I've voted in several different elections for several different parties. My political views have never clouded my reporting. I have experience covering both parties, including coverage of a campaign rally for George W. Bush, which earned me a White House Press Pass.

Religion
I was born and raised Catholic, but I am more spiritual than religious. I do attend church occasionally.