Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Chicago Catholic Cemeteries Hold 2026 Memorial Day Field Masses
Memorial Day Field Masses will be celebrated at Chicago Catholic Cemeteries across Cook and Lake Counties on Monday, May 25.
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|
Relay For Life Returns To Oak Lawn Community High School After 7-Year Hiatus
Passionate OLCHS students gathered April 25 to advance the American Cancer Society’s vision of ending cancer as we know it.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Chicago, IL|News|
CFD Engineer Steven Decker Suffered 'Medical Emergency' During Annual Equipment Tests: Officials
Steven Decker was a 30-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department and was due to retire in November.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Potential ‘Super El Niño’ Coming Faster Than Expected: What It Means For IL
NOAA’s latest May through July outlook for Illinois shows a 33 percent to 40 percent chance of above-average temperatures.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Chicago, IL|News|
Officer Wounded In Hospital Shooting Moved To Rehab Facility, GoFundMe Started To Help On Recovery Journey
CPD Ofcr. Nelson Crespo, who was critically wounded in a hospital shooting, has moved to a rehab facility as his family starts GoFundMe.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Family Fest Features Games, Attractions, Handmade Gifts Saturday At Peace Village
Peace Village Family Fest offers springtime fun and shopping Saturday, May 16, in Palos Park.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Chicago, IL|News|
CFD Member Dies During North Side During Training Exercise: Reports
The Chicago Fire Department is mourning the loss of a 30-year veteran of the force.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Palos Heights Police In Running For Elevate Blue Law Enforcement Scholarship, Voting Underway
Palos Heights police is a finalist to win a training scholarship at Northwestern University School of Public Safety. Voting through May 27.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Evergreen Park, IL|News|
Grace Koziczkowski and Tess Lee Named Valedictorian and Salutatorian For EPCHS Class Of 2026
Evergreen Park Community High School names Grace Koziczkowski as valedictorian and Tess Lee as salutatorian for the class of 2026.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Oak Lawn, Hometown PD Stake Out Dunkins' Friday For Special Olympics Cop On A Rooftop
Oak Lawn and Hometown police are helping raise funds for Special Olympics IL, this Friday, May 15, for 'Cop on A Rooftop' at local Dunkins.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Alsip-Crestwood Police Stake Out Dunkins' Friday For Special Olympics Cop On A Rooftop
Alsip-Crestwood police are helping raise funds for Special Olympics IL, this Friday, May 15, for 'Cop on A Rooftop' at local Dunkins.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Palos Police Departments Stake Out Dunkin' Rooftops For Special Olympics IL
Palos Heights, Hills and Park police are raising funds for Special Olympics Friday, May 15, for 'Cop on A Rooftop' at local Dunkins.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Palos Park Police Combine Cop On A Rooftop With Monthly Coffee Chat With The Chief
Make a donation to Special Olympics Illinois at Cop On Top at Dunkin' Donuts Friday, May 15 and receive a coupon for a free donut.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Blue Island Residents Give Builders Capital 'Owner Representative' An Earful About Proposed Data Center
Blue Island residents pack city hall after learning that the data center people would be at Tuesday's city council meeting.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
'Spartan Standard' Connects Community To Good Things Happening At OLCHS
Read the latest edition of 'The Spartan Standard' community newsletter highlighting the latest news at Oak Lawn Community High School.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Evergreen Park, IL|News|
Jimmy Matkaitis, Business Owner, Former CBOE Trader, Dies At 72
Jimmy Matkaitis was a St. Christina and Brother Rice graduate. He was well known around Evergreen Park, Beverly and Mt. Greenwood.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|News|
Sweet Talking Dolly The Parrot Is Missing In Crestwood
Dolly the parrot, who is missing from Crestwood, can tell you what 2+2 is, was last seen near Kostner and 141st Street.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Palos, IL|News|
Smash-And-Grab Burglary Crew Hits Palos Hills Gaming Cafe Second Time In Month: Reports
A smash-and-grab crew bludgeoned their way into the gaming cafe during the overnight hours of May 6, Palos Hills police said.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Senior Sara Abdelrahman Key Contributor In Multiple Roles For Oak Lawn Girls Badminton
Senior Sara Abdelrahman serves as an excellent role model for the underclassmen for Oak Lawn Community High School girls badminton.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Oak Lawn|News|
Victim In Oak Lawn Trailer Fire Dies
A deadly fire that killed a man in the Airway Mobile Home Community has been determined “accidental," the Oak Lawn fire chief says.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
