• Joe O'DonnellPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills, IL

<strong>Email:</strong> joe.odonnell&#64;patch.com

<strong>Phone: </strong>331-222-6034

<strong>Hometown: </strong>Golden Valley, Minn.

<strong>Birthday:</strong> May 13

<strong>Bio: </strong>I&#39;m a news nut who graduated with a journalism degree from DePaul University in 2009. I&#39;ve been infatuated by the media industry since I picked up an issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune at age 9 and started reading the weather page. Later, it was the sports section and, eventually, the front. I&#39;ve never wanted to be anything other than a news editor. 

I&#39;ve has worked at the Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reporter, the U.S. Olympic Committee press office, and the Chicago Cubs publications department. 

My favorite music is by Paul Simon and my favorite movie is &#34;The Big Lebowski.&#34; (&#34;Donnie, you&#39;re out of your element.&#34;) I also love playing and/or watching any sport—just try me.

<b>Beliefs</b>

<i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.</i>

<b>Politics</b>

I can say I&#39;m a moderate and still sleep at night. I think there are valid ideas across the political spectrum and as a member of the media, I see it as my job to present each of those ideas with respect.

<b>Religion</b>

O&#39;Donnell? Take a guess. I come from a Catholic family.

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

I&#39;m very interested in the local business environments of Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills. At a time when being an entreprenuer is more difficult than ever, keeping folks up to date on incoming and outgoing businesses as well as the issues they&#39;re facing will be a big part of my site.

Posting Activity

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

New District 86 Board Members To Be Sworn In

Winners of last month's election will attend their first Committee of the Whole meeting at Hinsdale Central Monday night.

New District 86 Board Members To Be Sworn In
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

Zingelman's Closes Its Doors After 26 Years

The downtown eatery's owners want to spend more time with their families; space will re-open in June as a Doggy Diner.

Zingelman's Closes Its Doors After 26 Years
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

Customer Appreciation Takes Over Hinsdale

Deals can be found all over the village's three major business districts during a first-of-its-kind, two-day event.

Customer Appreciation Takes Over Hinsdale
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

District 86 Looks to Raise Field-Rental Fees

Organizations that utilize the district's synthetic-turf football fields would pay up to $90 more per hour; administration says raise would bring fees in line with surrounding-area schools.

District 86 Looks to Raise Field-Rental Fees
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

Chestnut Street Home Broken Into, Fur Coat Stolen

Other thefts reported to Hinsdale Police include $1,300 worth of items from a parked car on Ogden Avenue and a mountain bike outside Oak School.

Chestnut Street Home Broken Into, Fur Coat Stolen
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

District 86 Summer Improvements On Monday's Agenda

The administration is recommending the rejection of all bids and a narrowing of the package's scope at Monday night's board of education meeting at Hinsdale South.

District 86 Summer Improvements On Monday's Agenda
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

Longtime Hinsdale Central Jazz Director To Take Final Bow

Tuesday's Jazz Ensembles concert will be the last for director Jeff Waggoner, who announced his retirement earlier this school year after leading the program for 26 years.

Longtime Hinsdale Central Jazz Director To Take Final Bow
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills|News|

Suspect Unknown in School Theft

Monroe Elementary industrial fan believed to have been stolen on election night; hundreds fraudulently charged to man's bank card; DUI arrest on Madison Street.

Suspect Unknown in School Theft