Elena Tittel

Elena Tittel is a reporter for the Daily Southtown. She holds a master's degree in investigative journalism from Northwestern University and a B.A. from Skidmore College. She previously worked for multiple national, statewide and regional news outlets across the Midwest, Northeast, and Washington, D.C.

Books and computers at William Leonard Public Library in Robbins, pictured Sept. 22, 2026, are available to Robbins and Dixmoor residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, a reduced schedule caused by a funding shortage. (Elena Tittel/Daily Southtown)

Temporary closure of library highlights lack of access to services in Robbins, Dixmoor

September 23, 2026 at 1:45 p.m.

William Leonard Public Library serves Robbins and Dixmoor, but is facing budget and staffing issues, reducing services for residents.

The tech launchpad at Kennedy-King College, an affiliate of City Colleges of Chicago located in Englewood, provides students with opportunities to prepare for careers in information technology. (City Colleges of Chicago)

Moraine Valley, other colleges ramp up training for careers in artificial intelligence era

September 21, 2026 at 3:27 p.m.

Moraine Valley Community College educator Ryen Nagle was appointed to the national Commission on the Future of Work to study AI's effects.

St. Laurence High School President Joseph Martinez, from left, sophomore Henry Flanagan and vice president of enrollment and communications Mike Madera Sept. 16, 2026. (Elena Tittel/Daily Southtown)

Groundbreaking for field house is latest expansion at St. Laurence High School in Burbank

September 21, 2026 at 5:12 a.m.

St. Laurence High School in Burbank broke ground on a 34,000-square-foot field house as part of the Catholic school's growth.

Brittany Morrison, Bremen District 228's director of finance, presents the fiscal year 2027 budget at the district's board meeting Sept. 15, 2026. (Elena Tittel/Daily Southtown)

Bremen High School District 228 approves $143 million budget for fiscal year 2027

September 16, 2026 at 2:35 p.m.

Bremen High School District 228 reviewed and approved the district's $143 million budget for fiscal year 2027 at Tuesday's meeting.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldemann presides over a Sept. 14, 2026, Village Board meeting discussion on allowing improved security for local businesses, specifically those with gaming machines. (Elena Tittel/Daily Southtown)

New Lenox officials respond to burglaries at gaming businesses

September 15, 2026 at 11:17 a.m.

New Lenox Village Board may end a moratorium on burglar bars, grilles, grates, shutters on businesses in light of recent buglaries.

Fans and honorees stand Friday at pregame tribute for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 during the national anthem before the Mount Carmel vs. Marist football game in Chicago. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

Suburban high schools vary football game attendance rules while evaluating security measures and protocols

September 18, 2026 at 8:12 p.m.

As high school football season across the south and southwest suburbs is in full swing, high schools continue to evaluate security measures and protocols for Friday night lights.

Principal Eric Washington outside Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills. (High School District 228)

Hillcrest High School celebrates grade-level teams bringing academic progress

September 14, 2026 at 12:36 p.m.

Hillcrest High School reports improved attendance, graduation and dictionary behavioral rates as a result of grade-level teams.

Caroline Cannon, left, and Joseph Baird stand Thursday in front of a Charlie Kirk memorial at 217 Illinois St., Lemont, where the original Turning Point USA office was located. (Elena Tittel/Daily Southtown)

Dozens gather in Lemont to remember Charlie Kirk, visit first Turning Point USA office

September 11, 2026 at 12:05 p.m.

Before sitting down to share a barbecue meal, Gregg and Sheri Eichwedel brought a thank-you note and flowers to 217 1/2 Illinois St. in Lemont to pay their respects to...

The building in which Blue Island Beer Company was housed, located on South Olde Western Avenue, in August 2025. The building has been mostly unoccupied for the past 18 months, according to the city. (Addison Wright/Daily Southtown)

Blue Island to lease former Blue Island Beer Company site to Marz Community Brewing

September 9, 2026 at 5:06 p.m.

Blue Island City Council approved lease for Marz Community Brewing on Old Western Avenue, where Blue Island Beer Company closed.

Unusual amounts of mosquitoes have been flying around Cook County. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Warm, wet conditions mean more mosquitoes than usual observed in south, southwest suburbs

September 6, 2026 at 5:12 a.m.

Pesky mosquito activity has increased in the south and southwest suburbs after heavy rains and warmer temperatures this summer.

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