Tom Ackerman

Tom Ackerman is a freelance writer for the Tribune.

Skokie police officer Jose Leos dies at age 46: ‘I lost a brother. A real brother.’

August 2, 2019 at 9:52 p.m.

Skokie police officers describe Jose Leos as a highly decorated officer who brought a calm demeanor to his job. Leos, a 13-year veteran of the Skokie Police Department, died of...

Skokie police Officer Terrance Alexander teaches Michelle Barkho how to time cars with a radar gun on Aug. 8, 2007, as part of International Police Youth Academy.

A teenager posed for a newspaper photo with a Skokie cop 12 years ago. Now she’s taking the police exam.

July 8, 2019 at 10:41 p.m.

In 2007, a soon-to-be eighth grade girl was photographed in the Chicago Tribune holding a radar gun with a Skokie police officer. Now, Michelle Barkho, 24, is about to take...

The Evanston Fourth of July parade makes its way down Central Street on July 4, 2019.

Evanston steps out for Fourth of July parade

July 8, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

Despite hot and humid weather, Evanston residents showed up in droves for the annual Fourth of July parade. It wasn't just locals lining the streets, some of those in attendance...

Skokie Park District will host Skokie Pride on June 23, 2024. (file photo by Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Family-friendly Skokie Pride event set for June 9

June 10, 2019 at 8:33 p.m.

This weekend the Skokie Park District is hosting what may be the town's first-ever public LGBTQ pride event. Jon Marquardt, assistant superintendent of recreation, said when the Park District began...

Skokie residents gather for a Memorial Day ceremony in Veterans Park on May 27, 2019.

Skokie marks Memorial Day at Veterans Park

May 28, 2019 at 9:38 p.m.

Skokie residents gathered Monday to mark Memorial Day with a ceremony at Veterans Park. Speakers included Mayor George Van Dusen, interim Fire Chief Jeff Hoeflich, Fire Commander Edward Potash, students...

Shout Out: Chris Kersten, co-owner of Dairy Star Ice Cream

May 8, 2019 at 5:06 p.m.

Chris Kersten is the co-owner of Dairy Star Ice Cream in Lincolnwood. The ice cream shop serves up soft-serve cones, floats, slushies, milkshakes, sundaes and splits. They recently opened for...

Shout Out: Jim Meinke, garden center co-owner

May 15, 2019 at 6:05 p.m.

Jim Meinke is the co-owner of Meinke Garden Center in Niles. As spring planting season begins, he took a break to chat about the changing trends of backyard gardening and...

Chris Georges of Morton Grove and David Hanna of Skokie walk by various national flags at the 2016 Skokie Festival of Cultures.

Skokie’s Festival of Cultures shines light on ‘diverse community’

May 15, 2019 at 6:05 p.m.

Skokie is preparing for its 29th annual Festival of Cultures, a celebration that will see the diverse town celebrating its differences. Organizers are expecting thousands of guests at the event...

Brittany Kinlow is a college student from Skokie.

Shout Out: Brittany Kinlow, college student from Skokie

May 15, 2019 at 6:04 p.m.

Brittany Kinlow is a sophomore at University of Illinois at Chicago and a longtime Skokie resident. Q: Why did you choose to come to UIC? A: We took trips in...

Evanston library to foster human experience conversations

May 13, 2019 at 3:25 a.m.

The Evanston Public Library will host its “human library,” also known as UNJudge Someone, April 14. The event from noon to 3 p.m. allows for people who have experienced prejudice...

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