Email: nicks@patch.com

Phone: 630-666-8863

Hometown: Sycamore, IL

Birthday: May 29

Bio Prior to joining the Patch team, I wrote freelance copy for businesses and articles for the Sun Times Media in the western suburbs. My journalism career started, in of all places, at engineering school. In 2000, I began studying Mechanical Engineering at Northern Illinois University. Several long years later, I was hired on during the summer term at the Northern Star, the student paper at NIU. I eventually worked for papers in Kane and McHenry counties.

Beliefs
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. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics
I'm not registered with any political party and likely won't ever join one. My desire to remain independent is both a personal choice and reflective of my pursuit of professional objectivity. I have helped (proudly) with the local campaigns of my more politically-active family members. Being a writer, I'm a strong advocate for First Amendment rights. And I would definitely say I favor a small government, rather than a large, obtrusive one. I will say that my personal politics lean more to the left.

Religion
I find religion fascinating and actively seek out stories about peoples' beliefs. Growing up, I was baptised, attended Sunday School and was confirmed in a Lutheran church. Since then, I've tried to learn as much as I can about the various religious beliefs. I tend to keep my personal beliefs out of my work but I'm more than willing to discuss religion with anyone who asks.